With the current pandemic prevailing globally, most people are at home for months, missing their walks, runs and trips to the gym. And not to mention, the busy work schedule that people have enables them to find some reason to not go to the gym regularly. But one must be active and work on building strong bones and muscles to combat anxiety and stress. Constructing a home gym is the best option, but it requires proper planning, consideration and the right home gym equipment. So, to get it right, follow the tips given below.
1. Plan and Consider the Layout
Planning ahead is a crucial aspect of all renovation projects. The first thing to consider is the location where one would want to set the gym, including the floorspace, the headspace and the ceiling. It is also important to consider the kind of workout that they would be doing in this space and plan the layout of the equipment.
Check the locations of all outlets and power sources before you start any work. If they are too high, in odd places, or there are simply not enough, they may need to be moved. Wires running throughout your gym are never safe or aesthetically pleasing. Floor boxes are a fantastic solution, but when building a home gym, you must also take into account how these will be integrated into the floor. When designing, consider whether anything needs to be fastened to the walls or ceiling because we are talking about safety. As strong spots or wall reinforcements can be needed.
2. Consider The Flooring and The Lighting
The ideal option of flooring for a gym is rubber, which can be expensive. But, it makes the workout process highly comfortable, provides the right underfoot protection for intense exercises and heavyweights, and it can handle sweat puddles. Cork flooring would also work for those who are not into heavy weight lifting. Also, lighting can make a great difference in the workout as research shows that good lighting affects work efficiency in individuals. Consider different kinds of lights including, overhead lights, dimming lights, wall sconces etc., to help with different forms of workout and yoga.
3. Make Space for a Storage Area for Other Needs
A home gym would not only have heavy machineries like a treadmill or an exercise bike. It would also have other equipment like a yoga mat, a skipping rope, an exercise ball, and other essentials like running shoes, water bottles, protein powder etc., which would require closed storage spaces to protect them from dust.
4. Do Some Research on the Gym Equipment
After getting clarity about the purpose and the layout of the home gym, the next step would be to check various brands of home gym equipment, their quality, availability, prices, offers, warranty, and after-sale customer service provided by the manufacturer, or the vendor. One must take their time to try out various equipment to ensure that they meet their needs, before investing their money.
5. Discuss With a Professional Equipment Expert
While creating a home gym in the limited space of a house, it is important to fill it with equipment that makes it most effective. The gym must be encouraging to visit, comfortable to workout at and not cramped. So, it would help to consult professional trainers or equipment experts about the goals that one has, their home space and the kind of investment they are willing to put in.
6. Don’t Forget About the Washing Area
After a good workout, nothing makes it better than a good shower. Not only does it feel good and fresh, but it is also necessary to clear off the sweat, oils and dirt produced during the workout, which, if left uncleaned, could be unhealthy. Not to mention, one might have to wash their hands while fixing or greasing their equipment. A steam shower can also give a spa-like experience. Therefore, it is a good idea to install a shower with a sink near the gym so that one can re-enter the home feeling fresh after the workout.
7. Plan the equipment positioning before the purchase
Before creating a home gym, you most likely already have an idea of the equipment you’d like, but it needs to strike a balance between what you want and what fits the area. The gym can be stressful because of the frequent problem of overcrowding.
Planning the placement of your gym equipment before you buy will show you what extra room is needed. This includes space on the floor for practical mobility as well as space to board and exit cardio equipment.
8. Don’t forget about mirrors
Any gym will have enormous full-length mirrors lining the walls, especially by the weights area. These are a great addition when building a home gym because they will help you develop good form for a workout. Mirrors will help provide the impression that the workout area is bigger and brighter.
Nevertheless, don’t put in your mirrors until you’ve decided on the flooring for your gym because it might need to be fitted underneath the mirrors. The size of the mirrors you require will also change as a result of the skirting boards, so keep that in mind as well.
9. Consider technology in the space
Televisions are a mainstay in gyms, where people watch shows and follow online routines. There are a few things to consider when constructing a home gym, such as how far away the cardio equipment should be from the TV or whether the TV will be visible from other parts of the space. For exercises like yoga or pilates, one may also inquire as to whether it is simple to observe at floor level. Hence, if you’re buying equipment with AV functions, make sure to find out if you also need extra cords for the screens.
10. Trust the process
Designing a home gym is thrilling, and it’s difficult to wait to start construction. The process will wind up taking longer than necessary if some steps are skipped or if the finer details are not specified early on.
Making the effort to ensure that everything is well thought out and planned in advance will help to avoid accidents, delay, and cost overruns. You can ask for assistance finding the right equipment, getting the best deal, and ensuring a simple process from beginning to end.