A home gym can be a great way to get in extra work between public gym sessions, or save money on a membership in the long-term. But before you go splashing the cash, there are some things to consider first. You may spend the money creating a gym only to end up not really using it. From foldable equipment to assessing your needs, here are some handy suggestions.

You Will Need Some Space

First and foremost, you will need some space for gym equipment at home. If you are serious about home fitness, a living room stepping block and a yoga mat just won’t cut it. Gym equipment can be large, and a simple bench requires space for proper use and safety. Then, there are floor exercises. You will need plenty of space to try out barbell squat techniques and other high-intensity exercises. A spare room or a garage are the most popular choices.

Consider Foldables for a Home Gym

Of course, permanent use of a spare room or garage as a home workout station isn’t always feasible. A family home may need space for other things, too. Running is a popular activity, with an estimated 620 million dedicated runners worldwide. But the weather isn’t always in your favor. This is where foldables come in. Foldable treadmills, benches, and even multigyms are available. These are excellent space savers when you need to use the room for other things.

Focus on Your Goals

A gym at home should reflect the goals you are trying to achieve. A public gym has everything, of course. But how many pieces of equipment in a public gym do you actually use? Three, two, or even one. Many people go to the gym and only use the treadmill. So why spend a fortune on the best fancy equipment you will never use? Think about what you will enjoy and what you need. Buy the equipment that meets your goals and focus on them for the time being.

Invest in Proper Storage

Even with a dedicated room, storage of gym equipment is necessary. A lot of what you may use is very heavy and poses health and safety issues. Additionally, you need to put things away when using other equipment or when stretching, performing yoga, or even relaxing. A stray dumbbell is a good way to end up in the ER! Fortunately, most gym equipment manufacturers also sell proper storage shelves and cupboards for the things they make, such as free weights.

Create a Gym You Want to Use

Just getting into a routine and sticking to it is challenging. Without creating an inviting space that reflects your personality, goals, and comfort, you will probably waste money. Therefore, it helps to create the gym space you know you will use. Consider these handy ideas beforehand:

• Your overall goals for fitness will determine the best type of gym for you.

• Start small with what you need and add more equipment as you get better.

• Strike a good balance between fitness, strength, and cardio equipment.

• Buy equipment for exercises you enjoy doing that doesn’t break your limits.

• Add personal touches to the space, such as motivational quotes and music speakers.

• Make the space inviting with lighting, colors, and temperature control.

• Add amenities you need, such as a fridge for power smoothies and protein snacks.

Any gym created at home will reflect the personality of the user. Public gyms are often very generic, but some are designed really well. If you are struggling to come up with ideas, visit a local gym and note the things you like about it and the equipment you like to use the most.

Start with the Essentials

There are a lot of pieces of gym equipment. But many are specialist pieces you will almost never use. Most pieces are designed for a specific purpose, and these don’t apply to everyone. For your workout space at home, start small and work your way up to more exotic equipment. This depends on what you want to achieve and could be as small as a yoga mat or a couple of dumbbells. Advanced equipment can be installed as you progress in body, mind, and mentality.

Lay Down Flooring for Safety

Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of a home workout space is the flooring. You may set up in the garage so you don’t ruin the wooden flooring in your home. But that concrete is very unsafe and uninviting. It may be okay for jumping rope, but anything else will require rubber flooring. Dropping a free-weight, for example, could end up with it breaking and hurting someone. And what if you were to fall? Rubber gym flooring isn’t sounding too shabby now!

Mirrors Can be a Big Help at the Home Gym

A gym space in your home needs to be inviting; we have established that. You can decorate it how you want and even add a sound system. But there must also be a lot of light to keep you focused. A dark and dingy space doesn’t appeal to anyone. However, a basement or garage may not have a lot of natural light, and artificial light isn’t the best. Mirrors help bounce light around the room, and you can check your physique and form as you practice a workout.

Do You Work-Out Better at Home?

A lot of us have bought gym equipment in the past only to use it a few times and then stop. One survey found that over 20% of men admitted to this. One reason may be that working out at home is hard. Studies have shown that we exercise better when surrounded by like-minded people or in a group, like at the local public gym. If you feel you get a better workout this way, then creating a gym at home might not be the best thing for you, and you will waste money.

Summary

You will need a lot of space to create a home gym for a workout that is more intense than yoga. Focus on your needs, the equipment you will use, and even the decor of the space to make it more appealing. However, also consider if you will benefit from your own space or a public gym.

*contributed post*