It’s more important than ever to live a healthy life. With the COVID-19 pandemic, many people started working out at home because it was something they needed. For many, what started out of necessity has become a habit they have no intention of giving up. And while the benefits of a fitness center are obvious, working out at home can go a long way toward making it easier to maintain a healthy routine. Investing in a home gym seems like a wise choice given the current circumstances.
But what should our gym look like and where should we set it up? We propose 5 ideas for setting up your home gym that, with a bit of luck, will not only serve as inspiration, but will also be the first step towards a healthier life.
THE BEDROOM
When space is tight, home gym equipment often ends up in a bedroom. While this doesn’t give you a dedicated workout space, it can be just what you need to keep exercise on your mind. Here are some things to consider when creating a fitness space in your bedroom.
ADVANTAGES
- Having access to exercise machines at home makes it easier to maintain your workout routine.
- If you have a TV in your bedroom, it can distract you during cardio sessions. Make sure you orient the cardio machine so you can see the screen.
- Setting up your gym in a bedroom allows you to preserve your privacy while you work out and keep the machines out of sight when you have visitors.
EQUIPMENT PROPOSALS
- A cardio machine placed near an electrical outlet (if necessary). Consider more compact options, such as treadmills, stationary bikes, and foldable rowing machines or compact ellipticals that take up less space.
- Mat for stretching and practicing yoga.
- Add some accessories, such as a gym ball, resistance bands or dumbbells. These will give you several training options, they don’t take up much space and you can easily store them in a closet or under the bed.
If you have a little more space, consider adding a handy rack to your setup, which will bring more training and storage options to your home gym.
SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
- If you’re worried about noise, opt for home cardio machines like ellipticals, which are extremely quiet.
- Avoid hanging clothes on your workout equipment, as it’s very easy to skip a session so you don’t have to tidy them up before you start.
THE BASEMENT
When it comes to training in the basement, you can either place the exercise machines to one side of the entertainment area or dedicate the entire room to fitness. Basements are a good option for strength training because of the flexibility of the space. The basement offers you the durability needed for serious training, but at the same time it is a more refined space with a better temperature than, for example, a garage.
ADVANTAGES
- The basement allows you to have a dedicated fitness space at home, offering a multitude of workout options as well as the ability to accommodate larger machines.
- Plus, this part of the house is usually cooler, which is a bonus when it comes to training hard.
- Basements typically have concrete foundations, which means they can support quite a bit of weight.
EQUIPMENT PROPOSALS
- One or two cardio machines. Consider purchasing a treadmill and a bicycle or rowing machine.
- Strength training machines, such as a home gym, bench, kettlebells, dumbbells and barbells.
- Other accessories such as gym balls, a mat and a foam roller.
SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
If you have a basement gym with heavy-duty strength training machines, additional flooring is ideal. You can purchase rubber flooring online or at most hardware stores. Standard 50 x 50 cm interlocking square tiles come in different thicknesses and are easy to install.
THE LIVING ROOM
When space is tight, home exercise machines often end up in the living room. While this doesn’t allow you to dedicate a specific space for your workout, it can be just what you need to keep your workout routine on the front burner. Here are some things to consider when creating a fitness space in your living room.
ADVANTAGES
- The living room usually offers multiple entertainment options such as television or music, which can help you distract yourself while you train.
- Having access to exercise machines at home makes it easier to maintain your workout routine.
EQUIPMENT PROPOSALS
- Cardio equipment. Choose treadmills, stationary bikes and folding rowing machines that can be moved out of the way when not in use.
- Strength training accessories, such as kettlebells or dumbbells, that can be stored out of sight, and a mat for stretching and yoga.
SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
- Consider the aesthetics of the equipment. Home cardio equipment like the IC5 indoor cycling bike or the Row HX rowing machine has a design that you can even show off.
- If you’re worried about noise, opt for home cardio machines like ellipticals, which are extremely quiet.
THE GARAGE
The garage is a great place for strength, functional, and bodyweight training. It’s a space that allows you to exercise at home and take it seriously without causing any damage to your home. A garage can be large enough to create an impressive dedicated home fitness space. And you can create a motivating environment with lighting, music, and other design elements you can think of.
ADVANTAGES
- Perfect for creating a large functional or strength training space.
- It allows you to train in a specific area of the house, away from possible distractions.
- With more space, you can add more equipment over time and gradually create your own home gym.
EQUIPMENT PROPOSALS
- One or two cardio machines
- A Half Rack or Smith Machine
- Dumbbells
- Abdominal bench or weight bench
- Bars and discs for weight lifting
SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
If you have a garage gym with heavy-duty strength training machines, additional flooring is ideal. You can purchase rubber flooring online or at most hardware stores. Standard 50 x 50 cm interlocking square tiles come in a variety of thicknesses and are easy to install.
THE LOFT
We know this option isn’t for everyone, but if fitness is your lifestyle and you haven’t decorated your loft yet, this may be just what you’ve been looking for!
Setting up your gym in the middle of your loft gives it a more “boutique” feel and helps you keep your workout in mind. Because it’s integrated into the living room area, this type of home gym allows you to access all the entertainment options you might need for a good workout session.
ADVANTAGES
- The living room usually offers multiple entertainment options such as television or music, which can help you distract yourself while you train.
- Having access to exercise machines at home makes it easier to maintain your workout routine.
EQUIPMENT PROPOSALS
- Various cardio machines, depending on the space. Consider purchasing a combination of machines that work with and without a power outlet, such as a treadmill, indoor cycling bikes or rowing machines, to add variety to your workout routine.
- Strength training accessories, such as kettlebells or dumbbells, can be stored in a functional rack that multiplies your training options while helping you keep your space tidy. A CMDAP can help you work muscle groups that need more attention while still being multifunctional.
SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
- Consider the aesthetics of the equipment. Home cardio equipment like the IC5 indoor cycle bike or the Row HX rowing machine have a design that you can even show off.
- If you’re concerned about noise, opt for quiet cardio machines.