If you’re serious about getting your health and body on-track this year, you might have already considered at-home gyms. Not only does it give you the flexibility of working out at any point in the day from the comfort of your own home, but it can also be more affordable over the long run.
Putting together a home gym is easy, but putting together a perfect one is a little more challenging. That’s why we’ve put together this basic how-to to guide you in the process.
Getting the room right
First things first, you need to consider where you’ll be putting your home gym and what the basic features of the room will be.
Many people put their home gyms in the garage or in a spare room. Either choice is fine, but we do suggest putting it on the ground floor of your home. Moving in machines and equipment is hard enough, so don’t make it harder for yourself by putting your gym on the second floor.
When you’ve chosen your room, you’ll have to think about the functionality of your floors. Choosing the right flooring for a home gym is crucial. You’ll want something durable that can take the weight of various machines without denting or breaking, but you also want something that is safe and slip-resistant.
We suggest stamped concrete floors for your home gym for various reasons. The first is that stamped concrete floors have remarkable durability and strength that ensure you won’t have to keep replacing your floors after many uses of your at-home gym. They are also stain-resistant and easy to clean and maintain. For a room like a home gym, you don’t want flooring that is overly fussy and difficult to clean. Stamped concrete ensures ease of use and flexibility. And finally, stamped concrete floors have a texture that ensures slip-resistance.
Choosing the right equipment
The first thing you’ll need for your at-home gym is a barbell and plate set. It is an essential piece of equipment that is the backbone for most workouts. You can find them at any fitness store and they usually come at a variety of budget points, so there’s something for everyone.
You’ll also need a bench and rack to ensure you can use your plates and complete your workouts effectively. If you have to splurge on anything, we recommend these two things. The right ones can ensure your safety and bad ones on the market may endanger it.
You should also have a yoga mat and some resistance bands handy to give you a wider variety of workouts.
If you want something for your cardio, you can splurge on a treadmill or a stationary bike, but if you’re pressed on space or on a budget, remember that running in parks is completely free and totally effective.
Fun options
If you still have some money left over from your budget and want something that can give your home gym some personality and design, you can consider wall mirrors for a real gym feel. Or if you like to listen to music during your workouts, think about installing a stereo system that can pump you up and motivate you.
Then you’ll have your perfect at-home gym ready for use.
