In this month’s blog post, we’ll go over the benefits of having a gym right in your home, detail what goes into planning such a remodel, and look at different features for your gym.
Why invest in a home gym remodel?
Ask anyone with a home gym and they’ll tell you: home gyms revolutionize the way working out fits into your lifestyle. Instead of exercise being an ordeal that requires a drive and sharing sweaty equipment, it’s a peaceful experience without the time commitment.
Some of the reasons we love home gyms:
- Personalize your gym for the workouts you love: Your gym will be designed around you, with only the equipment you need to get the workout you want.
- Ease of working out during inclement weather: It can be hard to get motivated to work out in the cold winter or in the hot, humid summer. With a home gym, you can exercise in comfort no matter the weather outside.
- Regular workouts are great for the mind, body, and soul: One of the best ways to maintain optimal physical and mental health is through regular, vigorous activity.
- Easier to fit into your schedule and blend into your lifestyle: With a home gym, you can work out when it fits your schedule. Whether that’s on your lunch break, before or after work, or those spare 30 minutes before you need to pick up your kids from school.
- Much cleaner and more sanitary: While public gyms do a pretty good job of cleaning and sanitizing their facilities, it’s next to impossible to keep things completely clean. There are just so many people using the equipment.
- Workout on your terms: At home, you won’t have to worry about waiting for equipment to open up or people watching you while you’re trying to push yourself. It will be a private oasis for you to get in the zone.
How to approach your home gym remodel
When getting started on your remodel, consider your goals.
- Are you currently an avid gym-goer who wants to take your workout to the next level?
- Are you time constrained and in need of an easier way to integrate physical fitness into your life?
- Do you want a cleaner, more private space to improve your physical and mental health?
- Do you have an extra room in your home? Are you looking for a way to use it for your entire family?
What to consider when planning your home gym
The best home gym is one in which you are comfortable. This will mean something different for every single person.
Think about the following aspects when considering and planning your home gym remodel.
Where will your home gym be placed?
There is no right answer to where your gym should be located in your home.
While some homeowners have the means or opportunity to build a home addition for their gym, most will use an existing space to their advantage.
Spaces include:
- Basements: One of the most popular places to build a home gym is in a basement, given their cool temperature and the fact that they are often unused. Most basements have stable floors and do not have rooms beneath them (reducing potential noise concerns).
- Spare bedroom: Whether they’re being used as guest rooms, or your children have left them after going to college or entering the workforce, spare bedrooms offer a great opportunity for a home gym remodel.
- Attic: While not always possible if the dimensions aren’t right or if they’re placed over key bedrooms, attics offer lots of unused space and opportunities for natural light.
- Garage: Though many would never want to give up their beloved garage space here in New England, if there is a section of a garage that is frequently unused, it can be transformed into a perfect gym.
Features and a layout all your own
While many homeowners immediately jump to what equipment should be included, we encourage you to put just as much thought into the features and layout of your gym.
Some aspects of your home gym to consider:
- Flooring: Make sure you choose a durable flooring option for your home gym. One of the most popular options is special rubber flooring that will be able to withstand the use of weights and heavy equipment.
- Windows: While some home gyms are completed in windowless rooms, we think that natural light and a view of the outside world can inspire you during your workout.
- Walls: We recommend painting your walls a bright color. In addition, many with home gyms utilize large wall mirrors to help with their workouts and create the illusion of additional space.
- Lighting: Often not considered, we recommend investing in good quality, soft lighting for your home gym. Just because most gyms utilize harsh lighting does not mean you need to!
Gym equipment
Here’s some equipment that no gym should be without:
- Yoga mat
- Resistance bands
- Kettlebells and medicine balls
- Dumbbell set
- Foam rollers for massaging tight muscles
While these simple items go a long way, you should invest in advanced equipment to complement your best workouts. This includes:
- Stationary bikes
- Treadmills or elliptical machines
- Power cage or towers that allow for multiple weight training workouts
- Punching bags
- Rowing machines
The possibilities are endless!
Let’s get started on your home gym remodel
Learn more about our home gym remodeling services or contact us today.