Home gyms have become increasingly popular among us. Many people now convert their garages and spare rooms into home gyms so they can work on their health and physique. However, even though the motivation to use the home gym is there at the beginning, many people end up not using the home gym because they are either less motivated or simply because the gym wasn’t done correctly. So, if you’d like to exercise at home, in your own gym, here is how you can create it in order to actually use it.
Your Goal Determines the Equipment and Space
When building your own home gym, you can’t just start piling up all sorts of machines, equipment, and other accessories in one space. If you buy a lot of random equipment, you will get overwhelmed with the possibilities and they might not even fit into the space you designated for the gym. That’s why it is important you start with your fitness goal. Do you want to build muscles and strength? Do you want to lose weight, and build stamina? Yes, you can use similar equipment and weights for both of these, but if you are specific with your goals, your equipment will be chosen in a better way. Additionally, the goal and the equipment will dictate the amount of space. So, if you want to build muscles and do less cardio, you can focus on smaller spaces and get weights and barbells. And for more cardio, you might need more space if you want to get treadmills and similar cardio machines.
Find the Right Space
Now that you have a goal in mind, and you know what type of equipment you need, it’s time to find the right space for your home gym. If you have a spare bedroom, you can easily turn it into a gym, but as this is inside your house, it might not be a great space for super heavy weights and louder exercises. So, the bedroom could be a nice space for treadmills and machines that don’t require heavy lifting. On the other hand, if you want to lift weights and need more space for racks, barbells, dumbbells, and other weights, you might want to consider converting your garage. Also, make sure the space you’ve chosen is insulated properly, so you can use it throughout the year. You can easily find advice from professionals such as insulation4less as they will help you protect the gym properly. Plus, make sure the ventilation is great as there will be plenty of sweating, and that the floors are protected and sturdy.
Keep Variety in Mind
As you are going to exercise in this space, you want to keep variety in mind. Even though you want to build strength, you still should do some cardio and vice versa. This is where your equipment will come in handy. So, in order to have versatility, here are a few examples of equipment you might want to add to your gym.
The Basics
- Resistance bands
- Stability ball
- Gliding discs
- Bench or a box
- Ab wheel
- Jump rope
Weights
- Dumbbells
- Adjustable dumbbells
- Medicine Ball
- Kettlebell
- Barbells and plates
- Weighted vest
Cardio
- Indoor bike
- Elliptical
- Treadmill
- Ski Erg
- Stairclimber
- Agility ladder
These are the basic pieces of equipment that you can use for many purposes. Also, don’t forget that you can build stamina and cardio with weights, and that bodyweight exercises are also amazing, especially for beginners.
Create the Space You are Going to Like
Last but not least, your home gym should be a space where you will want to spend time. So, if you like those commercial-type gyms, go ahead and create such a space. On the other hand, if you don’t like such spaces, you can create your own serenity through decor, equipment, and even by adding a few scented candles here and there. Also, you can add a smart thermometer to always be in control of the temperature that is going to be comfortable for you. In the end, this space should be inviting and help you stick to your fitness regimen.
We often get overwhelmed when creating a home gym. However, if you stick to the basics and add equipment as you progress, you are bound to create a home gym that you will be excited to use and work on your fitness goals.
