Lots of people are thinking about turning a part of their apartment or a room in their home into a gym. There are plenty of benefits. If the gym is closed for whatever reason, you can keep up with your training plan. If you’re super busy, it’s a lot easier to find time for a workout if the gym is at your house instead of down the road. If you’re thinking about putting some kind of gym in your home, here are the basics for building a better home gym.
Entertainment
Don’t underestimate the importance of music and other entertainment to keep you focused and engaged in your workout. The good news is that it’s not hard to put a stereo or small TV in your workout area. If you’re pressed for space, you can even set up your workout area inside or close to your entertainment room. If you want to get really high tech, having a screen with a webcam of some kind can make group workouts possible even when you can’t meet with your workout group or your trainer. It can also make a decent mirror replacement
Mirrors
Most people don’t really enjoy looking at themselves while they’re working out, but it’s a good thing to do, especially for workouts where form is important. Correct form can be the difference between a really effective workout and one that doesn’t really do much for you. It can even help prevent injuries and strains. So while not all workouts require a mirror, many workouts can be made more effective with one. It’s a good investment, especially if you want to get serious about working out at home.
Equipment
First of all, think about what equipment you need. This will probably be determined, at least in part, by your focus areas. If you’re planning to do a lot of cardio, you’re going to need different equipment from someone who wants to do a lot of weightlifting. Equipment is more than just a treadmill, some barbells, or a weightlifting machine. You will also need water to stay hydrated, and you can enhance your workout with things like supplements and bifidobacterium benefits.
Mats
Mats are pretty non-optional. Even if you’re just planning to hop on a treadmill as often as possible, you’ll still need to warm up and one of the best places to do that is on a yoga mat or other kind of exercise mat. It’s better for your feet, your floors, your joints, and any downstairs neighbors you might have. In some ways, a good mat is the only piece of equipment you really need in order to get a whole-body workout. They’re useful, inexpensive, and easy to store if you’re short on room.
Space
All the rest aside, we have saved the most important for last. Possibly you already have an idea about where you’re going to put your home gym, but if you don’t, knowing what equipment and accessories you will need can give you an idea about what will work best. Are you going to be working with a trainer or following bodyweight exercise videos? Then consider carving out a corner of your living room for exercise. If you’re going to be lifting heavy weights or doing a lot of jumping around, you probably want a ground floor or basement room, something where you won’t shake the whole house if you drop something heavy. Your space is as important as any other equipment.
In Closing…
There’s a lot to consider when you’re trying to create a workout space for yourself. What areas do you want to focus on? That will affect what equipment you really need, how much space it will require, even where the workout room can go. Still, the benefits are well worth a little extra effort and expense up-front. A gym may be cheaper at first, but it’s also a little inconvenient, and membership costs add up after a while. Why not consider carving out some space at home to workout?
Tags: equipment, Exercise Equipment, home gym, home workout, workout equipment
