Home gyms have exploded in popularity in the last year. Due to COVID lockdowns, many of us had to reluctantly give up our gym memberships.
While it was a challenge at first, working out at home has become a more convenient and just as effective option. If you have been considering installing a home gym, but aren’t sure where to start, here are some ideas.
Choose An Appropriate Space
The first step in creating a home gym is to decide where an area of your home you’d like to transform.
The garage or unfinished basement are popular choices since they are wide open spaces and separate from the rest of the house. Others may opt for an unused guest room, bonus room, or den to transform into a home gym.
There are pros and cons to each space, and some will require more prep work than others, but we can make it work for you.
Install Flooring
Floors are an important yet overlooked element of your home gym. You want something that will absorb sound, sweat, and jump squats.
The type of flooring you’ll need in your home gym will depend on how you like to work out. If you’re lifting weights, you’ll want a resilient, hard rubber floor that will stand up to dropped dumbbells. If you’re using the room for low-impact or cardio machines, then hardwood, carpet tile, or even artificial turf may be preferable.
You’ll also want to be sure your floor can handle the weight of the equipment you want. Unless your home gym is in the basement, make sure you have strong, reinforced joists and sub-floors.
Heating and Cooling Your Home Gym
Some days, getting the motivation to work out is hard. Don’t set yourself up for excuse-making by not having the proper heating or cooling units installed in your home gym.
If you’ve decided on converting your garage or unfinished basement space into a gym and live in a place that gets hot in the summer or cold in the winter, a heating and cooling system is crucial.
At the very least, you will need to install a ceiling fan to keep air flowing throughout the room. But, if you live in a hot, humid area, you will need more than that.
An option is to install a split system that will provide heating and cooling. If you aren’t worried about heating issues, you could install an a/c zone that runs off your existing air conditioner.
For colder climates, you will want to invest in a natural gas or propane heater. Electric space heaters won’t generate enough heat to make the room comfortable.
Overhead heaters units that can run off of your home’s natural gas will be the best option, but other options include radiant heaters or convection heaters. With these and any other heating sources, make sure you have adequate circulation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
It would also be wise to install insulation in the space. This is important to keep the room warm and will also reduce the noise level.
Decide On Equipment
Gyms have many different types of gym equipment. Are you a stationary bike person? Do you want TRX bands anchored into your walls? How about squat racks and barbells?
Mirrors are a necessity, so you can check out your form. Whatever your priorities are and what equipment you desire, we can bring them in and help you figure out the best layout to maximize your space.
Add Amenities
After a tough workout, you’ll want a space to unwind and recover. The easiest way to do this is to add a nearby bathroom with a shower and a hot tub for massaging your tired muscles.
You can also consider adding a sauna or steam room for the ultimate in post-workout relaxation.
Let’s Get To Work On Your Home Gym
Don’t put off working out any longer. Let’s get to work designing and installing your home gym.
