Setting up a home gym can make it easy to stay focused on your fitness goals. It doesn’t take much space to create a home gym, but you will need to make sure the space is safe and comfortable. If you find it hard to move around in the space, you won’t use it as much.
1. Install Rubber Flooring
Working out on a hard floor can be tough on your joints and your equipment. In addition to increasing your comfort, adding a rubber floor can prevent noise from the gym from reaching the rest of the house. Quality rubber flooring will also give you a grip if you choose to work out barefoot. A surface with some grip can keep mats from slipping if you need more cushion for some stretching activities.
2. Check the Ventilation
Your workout space, like your body, needs to breathe. If you’re working out in a garage or an upper story, make sure you’ve got fans to keep the air moving. Using a shop vac to stay on top of any dust that may linger in the air will also protect you. Airborne dust can be tough on your eyes if you’re perspiring.
3. Pay Attention to Lighting
Light your gym well. If you already have an overhead light above your workout space, put a lamp on the floor near where you store your weights. Tripping and falling into a set of hand weights, even on a rubber floor, is a rough landing. You’ll also be able to see any signs of corrosion or wear on your equipment with the right lighting.
4. Keep it Cool
Add a window AC unit to your home gym. Even if your home is kept fairly cool, that gym area is going to warm up quickly once you start moving. Even a small window unit can keep you cool and prevent any illness from overheating. Staying hydrated is also important; adding a small refrigerator for water may also be a good choice.
5. Add Mirrors
Mirrors on the wall allow you to monitor your form. If you have any post-workout soreness, your form can change slightly over time. This can put extra stress on your joints or cause back issues over time. Set up mirrors so you can monitor your form from multiple angles to avoid injury.
6. Add Storage
Put in a pantry cabinet where you can store tools, cleaning supplies, and first aid. It doesn’t take much room to create storage that can make maintaining your home gym a lot simpler. While working on storage, go vertical with your gear. Find the wall studs in the space and put up a rack for weights. Once you know where the studs are, you can add a chinning bar or secure tall workout equipment to the wall.
7. Consider Maintenance
Make a monthly checklist for maintaining your gear. Bikes, cross-trainers, and even free weights need to be checked out and tightened on occasion. Don’t wait until something is squeaking or rattling to make sure it is safe enough to use.
8. Invest in Safety Equipment
A basic first aid kit with antiseptic and ice packs is a bare minimum. Depending on your physical condition, a glucose monitor and defibrillator may also be a good investment. Timers can be effective safety tools as well, especially if your fitness tools include a sauna.
9. Create a Clean-Up Routine
At the end of your workout, you may only want a shower. However, putting just a few minutes into clean-up at the end of each day will keep you safer. Wipe down and put away weights. Clean hand grips and mats with a disinfectant and a rag.
It doesn’t take a lot of space or even a separate room to create a terrific home gym. By setting up the space with an eye for safety and using a solid clean-up routine, you can keep your workout space ready for immediate use.
