If you are considering creating a home gym, this article will help guide you through important decisions and things to remember.
Whether you are in the UK, US or Europe, more and more of us are considering home gyms. While this was fuelled by the pandemic some years ago, the trend for home improvement has continued.
Why are people choosing to create home gyms
The convenience of being able to train at home when you want is one of the most exciting aspects of creating your home gym. Never having to wait for equipment is a big plus, and reducing the effort to go out and train by removing any travel time is fantastic.
Add to this that it increases house value and salability, and there are not that many reasons why you should not develop dead space in your garage or spare room.
Here are some important things to remember and why.
Flooring – Do not make the mistake of forgetting the flooring. It acts as a thermal insulator, it dampens sound, and if you choose rubber flooring, it protects your equipment. Many forget flooring during the planning stages and end up using laminate when rubber commercial-style flooring will be a much better long-term investment.
Ceiling – Don’t just look down; consider what’s above your head. Most will look at garages for their home gyms, mainly because a home gym can add 20% to your home value. Garages rarely have ceilings, so make sure you consider drylining your roof space.
Adding plasterboard works to help with thermal and sound, similar to flooring. It keeps the space much warmer and gets warmer faster. It remains cooler for longer in summer.
Lighting – While you are looking up, this is the time to plan your lighting installation. If you are updating an internal room, speak with your electrician to find out what is possible.
If you are converting your garage, normally, it is possible to install spotlights without too much trouble. Can lighting is ideal for lighting dark corners? Garages rarely have much natural light.
Use lighting to zone your space. Remember LED lights, as these are low-cost to run. You can also use them to introduce colours to complement your paint or equipment colours.
Equipment choice – Choosing the right equipment is important before you separate yourself from serious cash. See if your preferred supplier is doing any packages or deals; Mirafit is a good example.
Speak to them about your workout intentions and what you are hoping to do in your Gym. A good supplier will help you make the best decisions for your needs and then be there for future purchases are you build your equipment.
It is important to remember that a package deal might get you more for less, but you can develop your Gym with machines, equipment and other items over time.
Mirrors – So now that you have considered lighting to bounce light around your gym space, consider mirrors to add a sense of space. They can also be used to help with improving your form, as well as for safety.
However, without a doubt, the main benefit of mirrors is that they provide encouragement and motivation when you can see change and muscles bulging. Use your mirrors at different points to see alternative perspectives of your workout.
Music – When planning your Gym, do not overlook the placement of speakers. Consider a battery-powered blue tooth speaker. Listening to your favourite motivational songs while training, you won’t regret lifting to Limp Bizkit. You could also wall-mount speakers in strategic positions to enhance the space.
Decoration – After floor and ceiling, you should also be considering decoration. We have included this last because you will want to consider your equipment colour and lighting before you consider the wall colour.
Decoration does not need to be just plain colour; adding banners, posters, motivational slogan transfers, and other finishes will really help. Matt paint colours can make the space look more high-end.
Managing costs when creating your Gym
Managing your costs can be achieved by doing as much of the work as possible. Remember that you can start your Gym with the basics and add to it over time.
As mentioned, Gym packages are a great place to start, and you can choose these with your supplier’s advice. Some suppliers will offer credit through 3rd party lenders. Ask for more information if you are considering this route.
Choosing the right equipment
Here are some tips to help you make strategic choices for your new gym equipment.
Dumbbells & Kettlebells – Strong starting options because you can use them to isolate muscles or as per a routine and all-over workout. You can buy them in sets and move.
Barbell & Plates – A barbell can be used in squats and lunges, and it can be used for clean and presses, overhead lifts and biceps curls. With a bench, you can bench press the weights, making this a versatile choice.
Weight Bench – Good suppliers will over-engineer their weight benches. We recommend reading the maximum weight capacity; typically, this is your weight plus the weights you are lifting. You can lay and sit on benches. They are a great way to do chest flies.
Power Rack – A versatile frame, a power rack can give you extensive support and enhance your development. A rack can act as a spotter when you are lifting heavy, and it is good to have a rack to catch your weights should anything happen, especially when training solo.
Storage – After selecting some or all of the items above, consider storage. While you might think that storage is costly vs getting other equipment, in fact, it helps you organise equipment and use your space wisely. This means you have more useable space, and your equipment is secure. You even reduce the chance of hurting yourself or tripping.
What now?
Finally, you need to consider your budget and plan your space. It can be helpful to use graph paper to section out areas for your equipment. Most equipment websites will include dimensions to help.
Mapping out on your floor is another great way to help visualise the space and how you might use it. Enjoy the process, assess, review and be prepared to adjust over time as your needs change and develop. Remember, you can always sell old equipment if you outgrow it or decide not to use it anymore. Good luck.
