In the 1980s, Jane Fonda worked out at home in a leotard and leg warmers, but today the home gym is much more high-tech and full of equipment. The fitness industry in the UK is worth a whopping £1.9 billion, and this number is only going to go up as fitness gurus like Joe Wicks and Chessie King take over social media and encourage us to work out at home.
What Space Do You Have?
If you’re ready to make your home gym more permanent, think about how much space you need, where you’d like to work out, and how you’ll use it. Some people choose to work out in the living room, garage, or even the spare bedroom. However, smart homeowners know that building a gym space is not only a great way to stay motivated, but it can also increase the value of your home.
Think about how much space the equipment you’ll use will take up if you’ll need space on the floor for weights, and if you’ll be doing a lot of exercises that require you to move your arms above your head, make sure the ceiling is high enough.
What Equipment Do You Need?
You can choose from a wide range of home gym equipment, such as weights, spin bikes, ski ergs, and rowing machines. But before you spend a lot of money on one of everything, think about what you like to use, what you want to accomplish, and how often you’ll really use it.
Keep the space functional so you have enough room to do everything you want, including stretch. Having a big mirror on one wall is a good way to check your form, and if you like to work out YouTube videos, you should also be able to see a screen. It may be useful to still pack a gym backpack to keep your things out of the way.
Set A Budget
When you decide to make a home gym, it can be tempting to buy the best equipment, but you should think about your budget to make sure you’re spending your money wisely.
Figure out how much you spent on a gym membership in the past. This will help you set up a budget. Next, think about the tools. If you didn’t like spin classes at a regular gym, you won’t like them at home either, so there’s no reason to buy a bike.
Don’t forget that there are many places to buy and sell used equipment, such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and your local gym, which might be looking to replace old equipment if you ask.
Plan Your Goals
When your home gym is up and running, you might want to work out as much as possible to feel like you “got your money’s worth.” However, you should make a workout plan that includes rest days.
You can find a lot of free information online that can help you make a workout plan that works for you. Set goals that you can check on from time to time, like how many push-ups you can do or how long you can hold a plank.