A widespread fitness misconception is that a gym membership is necessary to achieve a great physique. But why pay for a gym membership—when building a home gym is so easy?
A home gym is great for those that have a busy schedule and find themselves constantly paying for a gym membership that is barely used. Not to mention, you can save an extra few bucks or more!
Having a home gym that is set up with the following tips in mind can lead to more enjoyable workouts, flexible routines, and faster results.
Home Gym Tip 1: Think: Space
Ideally, a home gym works best when it is in a space dedicated for exercise sessions only. Convenient places are often garages, basements, or spare bedrooms.
The most important thing is to have enough room to fit basic equipment—at a minimum, an Olympic barbell should fit. Flooring should not be overlooked either. If the gym space is not on the ground level, it is best to set up separate area for exercises like deadlifts.
Also, windows should not be blocked by gym equipment. Workout rooms must have sufficient ventilation to keep things cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Hallways or walkways for instance, would be unsuitable spaces as they generally lack ventilation.
Home Gym Tip 2: Balance: Needs and Budget
Home gyms are investments that, with enough use over time, become a bargain compared to paying for a gym membership. However, setting up home gyms can get expensive if purchases are not carefully planned.
That is why having a budget is crucial. The first thing to do is to determine what equipment is necessary for specific fitness goals. The most common essentials usually include Olympic barbells and weight plates; squat stands with adjustable set up; adjustable dumbbells; adjustable benches; and cardio equipment such as ellipticals, treadmills, or bikes.
Before purchasing fitness equipment, it is important be mindful of how much available space there is and what the budget allows for. And having a small room and a small budget does not necessarily mean it is impossible to build a gym that will render great results.
Home Gym Tip 3: Do: Store Equipment Properly
In a home gym where finding the right equipment is a time sucking exercise, efficiency becomes an issue. Proper storage is needed not only to facilitate workouts, but also to keep equipment in good shape and avoid accidents. Storage is especially important when it comes to equipment such as dumbbells since they are so easy to overlook and trip over if not stored securely.
Every dumbbell, tube, exercise band, mat, and foam roller needs a storage place. Keeping dumbbells on racks and using crates or baskets for bands, stretch straps, and foam rollers are all good ideas.
Finally, when building a home gym, having patience pays dividends. A great home gym is not built in a day; it is built one step at a time.