In this time and age, no one is unfamiliar with the insane benefits of exercising regularly and staying active, whether you are hitting the gym, running, taking morning walks, practicing yoga, or hiking. Undoubtedly, one of the best forms of self-care is incorporating physical activity into your routine.
But let’s be honest; it is not the easiest of tasks to undertake because, on some days, even getting out of bed feels like a chore. I am talking about days when your heart isn’t into anything and activities you usually look forward to seem lackluster, so the last thing you want to do is exercise. And even if you somehow convince yourself to get on with it, the thought of putting on your workout gear and commuting to the gym, trail, sports club, or track makes you want to scream in agony. Unfortunately, while I can’t give you the green flag to skip the daily workout, I can help you simplify the procedure by helping you set up a home gym. It’s high time you put that spare room to good use!
The benefits of exercising at home
Let’s first talk about the fantastic perks of having a gym at home.
Privacy
Working out all by yourself feels like a luxury because you don’t have to worry about strangers judging you, giving you unsolicited advice, or making small talk. You can take your time at each machine because no people are queuing behind you and silently urging you to be done with it. You can also dress however you want, and that’s a massive advantage for me.
Convenience
Working out at home saves you from the hassle of driving all the way to a gym in another neighborhood, maneuvering the traffic, and finding a parking spot. Plus, there are no time constraints; you can accommodate a workout session into your schedule whenever it suits you instead of making your way to the gym at the same time every day, no matter what.
Cost-effective
Anything that helps you save money automatically becomes more tempting, like having a gym at home. By avoiding additional costs like a gym membership, a professional trainer, and daily travel, you will be able to save up a small fortune.
Freedom to customize
When working out at home, you can put together a bunch of different exercise routines tailored to fit your physical goals rather than sticking to the same couple of exercises day in and day out. This gives you the liberty to set your own pace and avoid a dull, monotonous regime.
Family time
A workout facility at home will motivate the entire household to look after themselves and exercise more often. As a result, working out together will help you bond better with your family members as you all will have a shared goal and a common topic of interest.
Reduced risk of injury
Exercising at home in the absence of a trainer will force you to be more careful about the exercises you start with and the machines you use. Naturally, you will begin with easier workouts and gradually move on to the more challenging exercises as your expertise and endurance improve.
- Believe it or not, the size and shape of the room you are planning to convert into a private gym really matter. When it comes to the dimensions, you will find different guidelines on the internet, but any space that can hold all your gym equipment with ample space to move about will suffice; it all depends on your vision. Ideally, each piece of equipment should have an area of 5 m2 all to itself. Coming to the shape of the room, a square or rectangular space will better accommodate all your machinery as opposed to an irregularly shaped room. Make sure that the final setup leaves you with enough space to warm up and doesn’t feel stuffy.
- Be intentional about setting up the space by assessing your goals and investing only in what you need; keep in mind the number of people using the gym, lookout for multi-purpose equipment, and stick to your budget. Parameters like this will save you and your bank account from the consequences of going overboard with the project.
- Most importantly, safety should be your number one priority during the entirety of this process because one can never be cautious enough around bulky equipment and weights. Consider installing vinyl flooring in your home gym as it is slip resistant and will reduce the risk of you taking a tumble around machines. Moreover, do not compromise on the quality of the equipment to save a few bucks here and there; it is not worth risking your well-being.
- Keep in mind that if you have the time and resources to follow these guidelines, you should definitely put in the effort to design a fantastic home gym. However, if you have limited resources at your disposal, don’t table the idea of exercising at home; keep safety in mind, buy the necessary equipment, put it in whatever room is available, and start sweating!
- Is it even a gym if a yoga mat doesn’t occupy some part of the floor? Along with yoga and meditation, these prove to be beneficial during stretches, warm up, and cool down. You can even treat it as a resting spot when the going gets tough.
- If you want a piece of equipment that can be used for weight training, cardio, and overall fitness, get yourself a kettlebell. When correctly used, this simple-looking weighted device helps strengthen your core and improve coordination and grip strength. A kettlebell can prove particularly useful in strengthening the shoulders, lower back, and legs.
- Investing in a treadmill for your gym is a no-brainer; this tried and tested machine lets you get in a sufficient amount of cardio every day. On days when you don’t feel like going from exercise to exercise, you can get on the treadmill and run off the calories instead of skipping out on the workout entirely.
- A set of barbells and weight plates are also a must-have, as one can use them for various exercises to target different muscle groups throughout the body, such as squats, bench presses, deadlifts, overhead presses, etc.
- If you prefer low-impact cardio, you must consider purchasing an elliptical machine; it lets you work up a sweat without putting excessive stress on your joints. Naturally, it’s the perfect option for people with arthritis who want to get in better shape.
- A fantastic alternative to the elliptical machine is a stationary bike, as it gets your heart pumping without putting your joints at risk. It is also great for anyone who prefers cycling over running or jogging.
- A cable machine is another valuable piece of equipment to have in your home gym, as it enables you to perform a bunch of exercises to help work out muscles all over the body. As the name suggests, it consists of adjustable cables and weight plates for resistance.
Now that you possess all the vital information required for designing a gym at home, there is no need to delay it further; sit down with a pen and paper and start making a list. You will be grateful for not having to commute to the gym every day and saving a ton of cash on membership fees and trainers. Plus, a private gym means choosing your favorite music, working out on your own time, and having access to a nice clean bathroom and shower.
