5 Tips for Designing a Home Gym

Sometimes the hardest part about going to the gym is actually going to the gym. For those who want to exercise but don’t want to leave the house, fret no more. Here are some helpful tips to get you started on creating your own home gym.

• Designate Space

First, find a room or area in your home that is large enough to house the equipment you will need and that has enough ventilation. Many houses have dead zones where the air conditioning putters out. That’s not the room you want to be swearing it out in.

• Make it Look and Feel Like a Gym

Include items that will contribute to your exercise. A TV is a great way to make your workout go by fast and can be useful when following along to a workout channel. But if you have a couch or recliner in there, you may not work out. If you need to use it for guests when you have visitors, you may want to purchase a futon or an air mattress that can easily be put in the garage when guests are not in town. Remember, this is a workout room first.

• Find the Right Equipment for You

When purchasing exercise equipment, make sure that it’s something that you will use. If you hate rowing, don’t buy a rowing machine. Treadmills, stationary bikes or elliptical trainers are tried and true pieces that most find useful. For weight training, you may want to find one machine that can work out more than three areas of your body, rather than three different machines. That will save a lot of space and money. Of course, free weights are great too.

• Personalize Your Space

Stock up on good music. There are great sites that feature music where you can pick measured beats to warm up, increase your heart rate and cool down to. You may also want to consider installing a music system to enhance the experience. Anything that makes your home gym more enticing is great. You want this to be a place you want to go, not on you’ll avoid. An aromatherapy diffuser is a nice addition. Orange, jasmine, peppermint and grapefruit fragrances are all known for energizing qualities.

• Make Sure You Can See It

Finally, keep your gym door open so you see it. This is not a room to be hidden away. Let it be a constant reminder of your commitment to exercise and improve or maintain your good health.