Are you ready to get back in shape but just dread the overcrowded and overpriced gyms? Well, you can still take your fitness into your own hands and create a practical small gym for your personal use. This way, you’ll get to tailor your workouts to your schedule and you’ll never have an excuse not to get your sweat on. Don’t know where to start with your home gym? Here are a few ideas you’ll certainly find helpful.
Remodel your garage
Before you start buying any equipment for your gym, you need to carve out a space for it in your home. Luckily, if you have a garage, you’ll have no issues finding space for your workout area. If you’re willing to clean your garage and move some things to the basement, shed or storage unit, you’ll get more than enough space for your gym (you only need about 10×6 ft.) Equip the space with some rubber flooring for added comfort and you’re ready to start filling the space with machines and weights.
Remodel your basement or attic
If you don’t have a garage, you can seek space in other places. One of the most popular spots for a home gym is definitely the basement. Since most people just use this space for storage, if you organize it better, you’ll get more than enough space for a few mats, machines and weights. And if you choose to give your basement a more serious remodel and finish it completely, you can even set aside a corner for yoga and meditation or other things like a home office, gaming room or DIY space. Keep in mind that you’ll need to insulate your basement and strengthen your flooring in the attic (all the equipment can add significant weight to your attic).
Choose the right equipment
If you don’t have a lot of space to spare for your home gym, you need to think long and hard about your equipment. While treadmills might be useful for cardio workouts, they also take up a lot of space. So, you might want to consider ditching these bulky pieces and opting for something equally effective yet more practical such as boxing resistance bands that you can get from Power Punch Pro. Shadow boxing is an excellent workout if you want to sweat and your heart race. Jump ropes are also excellent for cardio workouts yet they can take up zero space. Plus, there are much more dynamic and perfect for incorporating into your healthy early morning routine. Some jumping with get your blood flowing, boost your energy levels and improve your mood.
Invest in a bench
If you have some space at your disposal, it’s a great idea to invest in a bench or a rack. These are great for advanced leg exercises with weight and various body-weights for abs. Some advanced dumbbell exercises also need to be performed on a bench, so you’ll be able to practice a wide range of exercises and put all sorts of muscles to work.
Install a pull-up bar
No matter what kind of space you have for your gym, you can always find a free doorway which means you can install a pull-up bar. This piece of workout equipment offers an amazing workout opportunity for your upper body and core yet it’s easy to use, small, safe and won’t destroy your door. If you’re a little more serious about muscle building, you can also consider adding a lat pulldown machine to your repertoire.
Stay clutter-free
If you have a small home gym, you need to do your best to organize the space and keep it functional despite its size. Yoga mat racks for walls, shelves for foam rollers, towels and bricks and hooks for jump ropes and resistant bands will always come in handy. You might also want to consider getting a few plastic containers for smaller items like balls, ankle weights and other gadgets that quickly create clutter if not stored correctly.
If you find a good place for your gym and choose the right equipment and storage, you won’t need to sacrifice a lot of space in your home. Hit your private gym regularly and you’ll create healthy habits that will make your look lean, mean and strong.
In addition, it may also be worth hiring a Certified Personal Trainer to scope out your training space. The Trainer will be able to give specific and professional recommendations on what you could do. Certified Personal Trainers have done their initial fitness certifications and also do regular continuing education specifically the CEUs for Personal Trainers to keep their knowledge
