How to build a home gym.
Science has consistently proven that exercise not only improves physical strength but also reduces stress, and can even improve happiness. Without a gym membership however, sticking to those New Year's fitness resolutions can be a little tough, but not impossible. In fact, building a workout room at home is a far better way to dedicate more time to your fitness routine. These home gym ideas are here to help you design a convenient and customized workout space that will help you reach your fitness goals.
Put Down Fitness Flooring
Whether your home gym is set up in your basem*nt, garage, home office, or spare room, you need to ensure your floor is comfortable. There are three different fitness flooring options to choose from.
Fitness Mats: The first thing you need to add to your home gym ideas is a fitness mat – especially if your home fitness center is in a room with a tile or wood floor. Fitness mats are designed to make your floor workout more comfy by providing a padded space for you to lie or stand on. Some fitness mats are also made to be placed under heavy fitness equipment to help protect your flooring.
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Tiled Flooring: Building a home gym in a basem*nt or garage with a concrete floor may not be conducive to exercise. To make the ground a little softer you can use rubber or foam tiled flooring to quickly and easily improve the space. These tiles are especially ideal if you are looking to designate a small area to your home gym rather than an entire room.
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Flooring Rolls: For larger home gym designs, you may want to consider flooring rolls as they can create a seamless floor that spans larger areas than what the tiles can. They are a cost-effective way to cover the floor of an entire room or big spaces, while still remaining functional and aesthetically pleasing.
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Get Gym Lockers
Include lockers as part of your home gym ideas to make your space feel like the real deal. If you have the room to place them, storage lockers like this are ideal for shared home gyms. You can easily designate specific cabinets to individuals to keep gym gear, equipment, and any other essentials needed for working out.
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Utilize Storage Bins & Baskets
Before you begin building a home gym, you will need to determine what type of exercise you plan to do, along with what equipment that will require. Will you be using free weights or kettlebells, a medicine ball or resistance bands? You can then consider what type of home gym equipment ideas will work best for storing them. The easiest and simplest way to stash away your workout equipment is with storage bins and baskets, so try to invest in a few to make your life a little easier.
Try Storage Benches
While storage bins and baskets are a great way to keep your gym equipment together, you may still want to utilize a storage bench to keep them off the floor and out of the way. When you plan out your home gym ideas, you should try to use multipurpose items to save space. Many storage benches fit the bill as they can also be used as seating for some of your workouts.
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Use Storage Shelves
If you plan to use a large amount of exercise equipment in your home gym, you may want to invest in storage shelving instead. They will allow you to take advantage of unused vertical space and keep your bins and baskets on the multiple shelves. This will in turn free up floor space for larger exercise machines as well as your own workout area.
Add Bike & Sports Racks
When you plan out your home gym ideas, you should try to keep your sports and biking equipment within easy reach with specially designed racks. You can use them to store medicine and exercise balls for your indoor workouts or to hang up your bicycle, tennis racquets, or baseball bats for outdoor sports. Using these sports racks in your home gym design will help create an organized space that is centered around fitness.
Choose Your Water Bottle
It is imperative to remain hydrated throughout your workouts, so make sure to invest in a water bottle or two. In fact, you could keep an array of these fitness essentials on hand for your brand new cool home gym. There are many options to choose from, so if you are looking for a little guidance, read Best Types of Water Bottles to help you choose the right one for your exercise needs.
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Invest in a Water Cooler
A great way to keep a fresh supply of water on hand is by investing in a water cooler. Adding one of these to your home gym ideas will help facilitate longer and harder workouts by providing a convenient way to quickly fill up your water bottle without pausing too long or leaving the room for a refill. These are especially helpful if you don't have access to any nearby faucets to fill up from.
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Opt For a Mini Fridge
Another way to keep cool beverages on hand is with a mini fridge. Building a home gym with a little refrigerator will make it more user friendly and even turn it into a fun spot to hang out. You can stock your fridge with your favorite smoothies, waters, and workout snacks so you won't need to leave until your workout is complete.
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Buy a Bar Cart
When figuring out how to build a home gym, a bar cart may not come to mind as a needed item. The truth is though, bar carts make fantastic hydration stations – especially if you prefer not to get a mini-fridge or water cooler. You can still keep your drink accessories and necessities in one spot and you don't have to place your water bottle on the floor when you aren't using it.
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Purchase New Towels
The purpose of your home gym is to get you to exercise more, and during your workout you are likely to work up a sweat. Keep fresh towels nearby to dry yourself as well as wipe down your gym equipment once you're done using it to keep a clean and sanitary home fitness center.
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Hang Wall Hooks
If you are creating a home gym in a smaller room or shared space, you will likely want to take up as little of the floor area as possible. Try adding a few hooks to your list of home gym ideas. They will allow you to hang up your towels, bags, and even some gym equipment items like skipping ropes or resistance bands while helping you keep your space neat and clutter-free.
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Make Use of Mirrors
Mirrors are important for your home gym design and not just because they help reflect light and make the space appear larger. They also allow you to check your form while you exercise thus helping to prevent injury. Floor mirrors give you the chance to ensure your posture is correct while you lift weights, perform stretches, and other exercises. They also aid in making your workout a little more interactive, especially if you have another person with you.
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Mount a Whiteboard
A great way to keep track of your fitness regime is with a whiteboard. Hang one of these on a wall in your home gym so you can mark off what routines you have done, what you need to focus on for your next session, and even check your progress and you improve and grow stronger.
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Remember to Use Wall Decor
Your home gym ideas shouldn't just be utilitarian. You also want to create an inviting workout space that you want to come back to time and again. Use wallpaper, murals, or decals to create a focal wall that makes you feel happy. Try to pick bright and energetic colors to keep you motivated while you work up a sweat.
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Show Off Wall Art
Perhaps an entire focal wall doesn't work with your home gym ideas. You could instead try to hang wall art to give the space a warm touch. Choose pieces with inspirational words, enticing landscapes, or abstract pieces that bring you zen. No matter what you pick, remember that you can transform your space with one simple work of art.
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Air Conditioning
You will want to keep your home gym at a nice temperature. Trying to work out in the summer heat or a stuffy room is not pleasant, particularly if you are building a home gym in a warmer spot like the attic. Whether you pick a window, standing, or evaporative air conditioner, you can ensure you don't overheat while you exercise. To learn more about choosing the right air conditioners read The Best Air Conditioners to Beat the Heat This Summer and What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?.
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If you weren't sure how to build a home gym before reading this guide, you should feel at least a little inspired by these home gym ideas now. Good luck and happy exercising in your brand new workout space.
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