Modern urban living often leaves us with a paucity of space, forcing contemporary homes to merge the functionalities of the available home spaces. Hence, for many homeowners, having an extra room is a true luxury.
If you have a bonus spare room in your home, consider yourself lucky!
Whether your spare room is spacious or small, there lies an opportunity to add a touch of practicality to it. One of the most popular ways of doing so is by converting this space into a home gym.
In this post, we have a few effective tips that will help you set up a fully functional home gym.
1. Prepare the Space
If you have a spare room, chances are that space is a premium here. Hence, it pays to plan the layout of your mini home gym.
For instance, bedrooms are usually small and it could be tough to accommodate massive or bulky gym equipment in this space. However, with proper planning, you can set up a gym that not just allows you to workout freely but also leaves enough space to move around.
Measure your room and make adequate space for each. Some of the equipment like the treadmill or rowing machines possess monitoring capabilities. Plan electrical outlets properly, allowing gears to be plugged in with ease when needed.
Further, this is the time to make some tough decisions like getting rid of things that are currently occupying your space. For a spacious and well-planned home gym, you will have to lose that comfy sofa or overstuffed armchair in the room. Get rid of the clutter in this room to prepare the space for an awesome mini home gym.
Invest in Gym Equipment
Proper gym equipment is key to the success of your workouts. Whether you are trying to lose fat or build muscle mass, it’s critical to invest in the equipment that’ll take you closer to your workout goals.
Hence, the gym equipment you choose should complement your workout routine and goals.
For instance, if your goal is to build your muscle mass, consider investing in a full-motion rowing machine, a strength-training power tower, a few resistance bands, and weights. Besides, home gyms must have a treadmill and an exercise bike.
Depending on your workout goals, it’s wise to invest in the following gym gears.
- A solo utility bench
- Barbells
- Dumbbells
- Yoga mats
- Kettlebells
- Pull-up bar
- Exercise balls
- Jump rope
- Elliptical machine
2. Install a Safety Surfacing
High-intensity workouts like weight-lifting, burpees, star jumps, and others can be tough on concrete and hard surfaces like ceramic, wood, or stone. For instance, dropping weights (even if they are a few pounds) can seriously damage the room’s surface.
These exercises are notorious for being high-impact and the noise they cause. Not to mention, in case of a slip, you could injure yourself on a hard surface.
Hence, you need a shock-absorbing surfacing that’s non-skip and offers adequate cushioning underfoot. Moreover, the surface should absorb the noise created by the workout sessions.
Consider installing a safety flooring like rubber surfacing that offers great traction and possesses sound-dampening properties. That’s the reason rubber surfaces are installed in most public gyms and areas with high-intensity activities.
4. Consider Adding Some Storage
Once you set up your home gym, it will be tough for you to stop investing in a variety of gym gear and accessories. Instead of keeping everything scattered in this space, it’s wise to plan some storage space that’ll keep the gym clean, organized, and clutter-free.
If you have an unused cupboard or shelves in the room, consider converting them into storage space for your gym accessories and rolled-up yoga mats. Hooks prove useful for storing resistant bands and gym apparel. Having enough storage space in the home gym is essential to keep yourself safe from trips and falls. Plus, an organized gym allows you to access your gear with ease.
5. Add Inspiring Gym Decor Elements
Besides investing in the above-mentioned gear, you may need a few elements that add an inspiring touch to your home gym. Here are a few elements that we recommend.
Ventilation: Workout spaces can use some ventilation because the area tends to get a bit stuffy and humid with all the sweat around. Make sure the room is well ventilated. Also, consider installing stationary fans or vornado fans to keep yourself comfortable and cool during workouts.
Mirrors: Gyms are incomplete without mirrors. With mirrors installed, you can keep an eye on your posture and form when working out. They will also make your room look bigger.
Music System: Adding music to your workout space can create a motivating environment, allowing you to get the most out of your exercise routine. Consider installing a music system or invest in a portable speaker to work out when your favorite music is on.
Summing Up
Transforming a spare room into a functional home gym isn’t an easy task. However, you don’t have to spend a lot of money and effort in doing so. Some effective planning can help you create an effective workout space for yourself.
Use the tips shared in this post to turn your spare room into an awesome home gym.
(Image Credit: Pixabay)
