Over 75% of Americans don’t get enough exercise but a great way to ease into a regular workout schedule is creating a home gym.
Not only is it convenient but you can set up an affordable home gym with the right equipment so you can focus on cardio, strength, balance, and flexibility exercises. Perhaps you’re planning to set up a great workout environment but you’re not sure where to start.
Sound familiar? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s how to start building a home gym today.
Benefits of a Home Gym
There are many advantages to having your home gym. One of the biggest benefits is you don’t have to wake up early and commute. Instead, you only need to carve 30 minutes of working out time instead of adding on a commute and locker room time.
Further, everyone has a busy schedule which means hitting the gym on workdays feels impossible. But with a home gym, you can squeeze in a session whenever you please even during the holidays. Plus, you can pour the money that you would save on membership into your home gym. Instead of accessing equipment, you can own it and potentially sell everything when you don’t need it.
Find the Perfect Space
The first step of setting up a home gym is to find the right room for it. Make sure you have enough room for a yoga mat and so you can easily swing a dumbbell. Consider the type of workouts you frequently do as it’ll determine the space you need. For instance, if you usually do pilates then you won’t need much space compared to someone who does a daily HIIT workout.
If you live in an apartment, dedicate a corner of your living room to make your mini gym. You can also invest in space-efficient equipment like a jump rope or a door-mounted pull-up bar.
Get the Right Equipment
Not sure how to make a home gym?
Before buying equipment, it’s important to consider which areas you want to focus on. As a general rule, the government suggests 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (e.g. cycling) and muscle-strengthening exercises. Because of this, your home gym should include:
Cardio
When making a home gym, consider how you’ll carry out your cardio exercises. Treadmills are fantastic because you can adjust the intensity by increasing the incline or speed. You could also try a rowing machine as it focuses on strengthening multiple muscle groups while increasing your heart rate so you get all the benefits.
Strength
No simple home gym is complete without a set of dumbbells. A major benefit is besides building your strength, these are joint-friendly so your body can move in a natural position.
You should also consider resistance bands because they’re low-impact and affordable. The band creates resistance so your body is forced to stay stable while you’re moving your arms or legs. Models vary depending on your desired resistance level so you can gradually increase the intensity as you get fitter.
Flexibility
If you’re creating a home gym that focuses on your flexibility, you don’t need to spend much on equipment. You’ll need a thick yoga mat so you have padding and a styrofoam roller, great for working out your chest and shoulders. A bonus is it doubles as a massage tool so you can remove any kinks after a workout.
Balance
Regularly incorporating balance exercises has many benefits like improving your posture, coordination, and muscular power. One of the best tools is medicine balls as they build your strength and core stability. You should also invest in an agility ladder, fantastic for various skill training exercises and drills. Further, it’s adjustable so you can alter the difficulty of the workout.
Search for Bargains
It’s important to find the best home fitness equipment so you know it’s safe and effective. For great deals, check out big-box stores as they sell the basics such as resistance bands, yoga mats, and other general workout accessories.
If you need larger equipment like treadmills then try Craigslist as there’s always a wide range of secondhand items available. You should also check Facebook Marketplace, OffUp, and local garage sales.
Add a Mirror and the Right Flooring
An underrated piece of gym equipment is a full-length mirror especially if you exercise alone. Mirrors let you become your instructor so you’re in the right position and you’re not straining anything. Further, mirrors open up space so you don’t feel cramped if you have a small home gym.
You should also install cushioned, anti-slip flooring to give your body support when you’re working out.
Optimize Storage Space
Optimizing your storage space is crucial if you’ve got large equipment and minimal space. If you only have small workout accessories then get a storage container that you can slip under your bed or on a shelf. Or transform an entire wall with a hanging organizer so you can keep all your resistance bands neat.
It’s crucial that your home gym is clutter-free and there’s nothing to distract your gym sessions.
That’s Everything About Building a Home Gym
Now you know the ins and outs of building a home gym.
Start by finding the perfect room, deciding which types of exercises you want to focus on, and sourcing the gym equipment. You should add finer details like a mirror and anti-slip flooring along with storage space so it remains clutter-free. Happy designing!
Hopefully, you found this article helpful. If you’re interested in similar content, check out our posts on everything from Fitness to Real Estate.
