With the covid-19 pandemic closing down gyms all across the world, many people are at a loss about how to best pursue their fitness goals. Some have probably considered building a small home gym but worry about the costs and logistics.
If you’re thinking about setting up a home gym, you should know that the benefits largely outweigh the costs. For example, you will never have to worry about gym membership fees again. You’ll also save time because you will no longer have to commute to a shared gym.
Here is everything you need to know about setting up a personal gym so you can achieve your fitness goals in the comfort of your home.
Identify Your Needs
The first thing you have to do before purchasing materials and equipment for your gym is to analyze your medium-term fitness goals. This step is essential for identifying your needs. What kind of exercises do you intend to do? What other activities will take place in this space? Is your partner or family also interested in using the gym? Knowing your needs before you begin is essential because you want to make the best use of your space and avoid overspending.
Allocate Space for the Gym
When it comes to setting up a home gym, space is a major concern for most people because it’s a limiting factor. The first thing to remember is that a cluttered gym will affect your workout experience, so you have to consider your space limitations carefully. Your home gym should be spacious enough for stretches and warm-up exercises. It should also have plenty of storage space. Squeezing a lot of large equipment in a small area is never a good idea because you will not be able to use it comfortably.
Choose the Flooring
Choosing the flooring material is another important step in building a home gym. Rubber and foam are two of the most popular gym flooring materials used in both commercial and residential applications. Foam flooring is perfect for high-intensity exercise because foam is a fairly good shock-absorbent material.
If you don’t have a dedicated space for your home gym and have to use your guest room, foam flooring is a good idea because foam is ultra-portable and easy to re-arrange. However, in general, rubber is a much better choice for a home gym because it is a lot more versatile, durable, and comfortable.
Because it has strong shock-absorption properties, it can protect your joints during exercising. Whether you plan to do strength training, cardio, or yoga, a rubber floor is the perfect surface for different fitness activities. Consider the rubber gym flooring from FitFloors.com for a variety of options at affordable pricing.
Start with Essential Equipment
As you’re setting up your home gym, you may feel the temptation to splurge on equipment. However, unless you have a very advanced fitness routine, it’s better to start with essential equipment and gradually build up from there. The most economical option is to pick up simple, multi-use equipment.
Consider purchasing a yoga mat for stretching, yoga or Pilates, and resistance bands for strength training. You will also need the following: dumbbells, bumper plates, a kettlebell, jump rope, a pull-up bar, a mini squat rack, and a barbell. You can also add a stationary bike or a treadmill to your home gym.
Add a Mirror
Adding a mirror to your gym space does not seem essential at first look, but it’s something that can considerably improve your workout experience. With a mirror, you learn to refine your movements and adopt the proper form during exercises. A mirror gives you instant feedback on your form so you can tell whether you’re doing the exercises correctly. Moreover, a mirror can also improve your perception of your workout area by making it look more spacious.
Last Tip: How to Stay on a Budget
Setting up a home gym on a budget is doable. You can find second-hand equipment in perfect condition, and many online stores also have attractive offers. Follow online newsletters for discounts, scan online marketplaces, and visit garage sales or used sports stores for the best offers.
The first thing you’ll notice after setting up your home gym is that your motivation to keep up with a fitness routine will increase considerably. Having your own workout space is a lot more convenient than commuting to a gym. Moreover, you can work out with your partner or a family member, thus having more fun in the process. If you worry about the costs, remember that you don’t have to buy everything all at once. Starting with basic equipment is perfectly fine.
