Many people choose to exercise to keep safe during the pandemic or take advantage of some of the benefits of at-home fitness. When they closed the gyms due to COVID, I needed to find alternative methods to keep up with my physical health. After cleaning out my garage for additional space, I began to find adequate fitness equipment to use at home.
New parents opt as well for home workouts to avoid the bother of daycare or to spend more time with their children. Home exercises are more convenient and private than studio or gym workouts, and they are nearly usually less expensive than boutique studio sessions or health club memberships.
Create your own personal at-home gym to maximize the benefits of your workout sessions. You don’t require a large workspace or pricey machinery. Everyone has wise options, depending on their living situation, ambitions, and financial situation.
How much room do you require?
Your need for space will be strongly influenced by the exercise you intend to conduct. For instance, those starting a yoga practice will only require a modest area to lay out a mat. However, individuals who want to practice heavy lifting or plan to buy cardio equipment would require a lot more room.
Surface Area
Choose a location with at least 6 feet x 6 feet of open space for the most safety and comfort. You can move side to side and fully extend your arms. You can still workout even if you don’t have a lot of room to begin with. Just ensure there aren’t any obstacles in your path that can endanger you as you move.
The following guidelines provide useful advice on how much room is needed for various types of equipment:
- Exercise machine: 30 square feet
- Weights at no cost: 20 to 50 square feet
- Gym with several stations: 50 to 200 square feet
- Machine for rowing: 20 square feet
- Gym with a single station: 35 square feet
- 10 to 20 square feet for stairs
- 10 square feet for a traditional stationary bicycle
- Running machine: 30 square feet
You’ll likely need 7 to 10 square feet if you consider a stationary bike like those from Peloton or SoulCycle. The bikes are approximately 2 feet wide and 4 feet long. Only a wall space measuring 53 inches in height by roughly 21 inches will be required for users of The Mirror to exercise at home. Although, The Mirror requires far less room than conventional exercise equipment (and doubles as a wall mirror when not in use), the workouts still require an area of around 6 feet by 6 feet.
The Best Use of Your Room
Few people have additional space in their homes that could be used to house fitness equipment. Hence, if you don’t have a spare room, consider using these suggestions to make the occupied area more efficient.
Within the Home
Consider the areas of your home that see less traffic and may already have practical elements. For instance, the space at the bottom of a staircase can be large enough to do basic calisthenics, and the stairs can be used for cardio or workouts like push-ups on an inclination or decline.
Because no other spaces are accessible, many people use their bedrooms or living rooms as their workout spaces. Also, you are more likely to find a TV or monitor in these locations where you can broadcast a yoga or fitness class.
Clearing the space is easy if you have mobile furniture. Several coffee tables and chairs can be moved more easily because they have wheels or can be equipped with sliding coasters.
Beyond the House
A modest deck or balcony can provide a terrific outdoor workout area when the weather is nice. Place equipment in a weather-resistant container to keep it dry when not in use.
No room in your house? Check to see if you can set up a space in your garage for a separate gym. If your automobile (or cars) takes up the most of the space, try to find a tiny spot to keep exercise equipment. Then, when it’s time to work out, just pull one car out onto the driveway to make room for exercise.
Other Space-Related Issues
There are some other key factors to consider when designing your new home training area in addition to square footage. When deciding where in your home is the greatest location for a gym, keep these things in mind.
Height of Ceiling
Depending on the equipment you intend to use, a low ceiling can be an issue for tall exercisers and those who are medium height.
A low ceiling, for instance, may restrict your motions if you perform any activities that call for jumping or lifting weights above your head. If you use one, you can walk on the treadmill at its steepest inclination without colliding with the ceiling. A larger overhead clearance is also required for other cardio equipment types, such as ellipticals and stair climbers.
Airflow
When selecting the ideal location for your home gym, ventilation should also be considered. Try to pick a location with some airflow, like a window. In a small, confined location, you can at least install a fan, but if you sweat while working out and there isn’t any airflow, your space can begin to smell musty or grimy (especially if it is carpeted). Regularly using air fresheners could be helpful.
Safety
If you live with kids, be sure you can store your equipment in a location where the kids can’t get it. Many studies have been done on the possible risks to kids using mechanical exercise equipment like treadmills and exercise cycles, weight training equipment like dumbbells and weight plates, and even basic equipment like jump ropes unsupervised. 2
While setting up a home gym, parents may want to select a room that can be locked or equipment that won’t endanger kids.
You can lock your storage container or closet to keep your equipment safe.
Storage
You might not want the equipment on show constantly if your home gym area doubles as another room (such a living room or bedroom). Spend time examining available storage areas, such as those beneath the bed or behind a couch.
Your choice of equipment may be influenced by how you store it. For instance, utilizing resistance bands or body bars rather than bulkier kettlebells or dumbbells may be wiser to increase your strength by working out in your small bedroom because these can be easily stored under your bed.
What is Need to Begin
Once you’ve chosen a location for your home gym, you’ll want to get the best equipment for your workouts and design your area to motivate you to keep going and stick with your routine.
To decide what is ideal for you, consider your lifestyle and money. While some people might build a full-fledged home gym, others prefer smaller equipment like ankle weights and resistance bands. Moreover, if you intend to exercise outdoors, consider trying something entertaining like rollerblading to change your training regimen.
Simple Setup
Your workout area should be set up to look inviting and always available. Strive to maintain it neat and clutter-free. You may also want to decorate your training area to appear “separated” from the rest of the room if it is only a portion of the room, not the entire space.
To designate the area as your “exercise zone,” you might, for example, leave your yoga mat on the ground. You might also wish to write motivational notes or a training regimen on the walls around you.
What You Need for Various Exercise Types
Your budget and the type of training you undertake may determine the kind of equipment you require. A versatile all-purpose home gym can be constructed with only a few inexpensive tools.
With a mat, two sets of dumbbells, and a smartphone, tablet, or smart TV to stream online workouts, you may set up a simple home gym if you intend to engage in various exercises (yoga, aerobic courses, strength training).
Some exercisers might desire to add apparatus to support particular training modalities. Here are some suggestions for various pieces of equipment dependent on the kind of exercise.
Training in Strength
Choose one or combine various resistance forms from the available equipment list.
- Dumbbells
- Kettlebells
- Medicinal spheres
- Bands of resistance
Adding a weight bench, a pull-up bar, and a barbell (complete with weight plates and collars) may be appropriate for those with greater room.
Cardio Exercises
Dance-based workshops, HIIT workouts, or endurance training tailored to a particular activity can all be included in cardiovascular training. You may want to consider any of these items depending on your budget and available space.
- Combat ropes
- Bike instructor
- folding stair climber
- Large-Scale Treadmill
- Bike for indoor cycling
- Rower inside
- Jog a rope
- Reclining bicycle
The use of indoor bikes that stream classes has grown, including off-the-bike exercises like yoga or strength training. Consider Peloton or SoulCycle if your budget allows for the upfront purchase of the bike and a recurring membership. Another practical choice for individuals with little room is the mirror.
Pilates, Yoga, Mind-Body, and Flexibility Training
Yoga and other mind-body activities don’t require much in the way of special equipment. Yet, you might want to set up a quiet space in your house to encourage private reflection. Think about including any of these things in your home practice environment in addition to a yoga mat.
- Blanket
- Candle
- Incense
- Blocks in yoga
- Yoga blanket
- Yoga belts
Remember that you can watch yoga lessons online by downloading an app to your smartphone or tablet. A yoga manual is also available to help you with your practice.
Using Tools at Home
It’s time to implement your workout regimen once your home gym is set up. You might find it useful to arrange your workouts like you would schedule your attendance at your health club or in exercise programs. To hold yourself accountable, you might even want to enlist the aid of an exercise buddy.
Also, remember that using equipment at home differs from doing so in a full-service health club. There is no staff available to clean your equipment and maintain its functionality. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to keep mechanical items, such as a treadmill or stationary cycle, clean and functioning if you have invested in them. You can clean other exercise equipment like a mat with a disinfectant wipe
.You can do several workouts with just your bodyweight to increase your strength and cardiovascular fitness. And keep in mind that you can work out effectively without any equipment. So even if you decide not to purchase exercise equipment when you initially start training at home, you may still get in shape successfully.
How to Inspire Yourself at Home
Staying motivated can be challenging during home workouts. While they are practical, becoming preoccupied with other housework and stopping your workout indefinitely is also simple.
It can also be challenging to enter “gym mode” in an area that serves a different function, such as close to your bed, a couch, or the kids’ playroom. Yet, you can change your perspective by listening to a workout soundtrack, Facetiming a workout partner, or lighting some incense before practicing yoga.
Utilize these Additional Suggestions to Keep your Plan on Course
Make both immediate and long-term goals. Put the objectives somewhere you’ll see them frequently. Goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound can be set using the SMART system.
Sound the alarm. Commit not to press the snooze button. Remind yourself to exercise using your smartphone, smartwatch, smart speaker, or even a conventional alarm clock.
Dress professionally. So that you are prepared to work out when it’s time, dress in your workout attire. The night before, lay out your clothes so they are ready to go in the morning.
Use internet challenges as a source of motivation. Regular fitness challenges are held by companies like F45, and you can take part in them online. Alternately, organize a fitness challenge with friends or coworkers.
Last, you might benefit from maintaining an exercise notebook or log. It will not only serve as a record of your accomplishments, but it can also assist you in overcoming obstacles and implementing necessary adjustments.
A Final Message From Doc T Elliott
More and more people are leaving the public gym space for various reasons. Setting your living space as a good workout environment is always good. Anyone can set up an efficient home gym. There is no need for pricey equipment or a lot of room. Yoga, cardio, weight training, and other exercises can all be done whenever it’s most convenient for you with a bit of imagination and creative planning. If you’ve never worked out at home, start easy with simple exercises requiring your bodyweight. Then increase your investment and upgrade your gym as necessary.