Building a home gym on your own can be a very daunting task. When buying gym equipment, you have to choose from hundreds of pieces and brands, from dumbbells, weights, to even a rowing machine.
Space is also an issue when setting up your own gym, because you have to find a large enough space that is functional.
Here are some tips that will help you to set up your own gym successfully:
Make Your Gym a Refuge
If possible, you need to find a room that allows you to escape your usually hectic home life, such as the attic, garage, or basement. Getting a good room will allow you to concentrate on your workouts as well as avoid any interruptions or distractions that might get in the way.
For instance, setting up a gym near the baby’s nursery is not a good idea because you will not be able to work out in peace.
Make Your Gym Motivating
The main advantage of having your own gym is that you will have a space to yourself. Moreover, you can design it the way you want, to suit your tastes and preferences. You can make your home gym sound, feel, and look exactly how you want.
When designing your gym, you need to think of what will make you feel motivated such as full-length mirrors and good lighting. If you want to look at pictures of your role model, you should consider hanging up posters of that person. Since nobody wants to exercise in a dimly lit room, which can actually be dangerous, you should invest in some good lighting as well.
Keep Workout Logs
From the moment you step inside the gym, you need to be able to start your routine right away. If you have not memorized it, you should keep your plans nearby for easy access – this will help you cut down on wasted time. Your workout design resources also need to be close and easily accessible.
Buy a Clock
Having a clock in the gym is a necessity because you have to time your reps and workout times. If you cannot find a clock, you should set up a timer and set it for the amount of time that you have allocated for each workout.
In this way, you will be able to stay within the available time and complete your list of planned exercises.
Buy Storage Containers
You need to store your equipment in storage containers to avoid accidents and make it easier to find things. When it comes to dumbbells, storage containers are especially important because you do not want your family to trip over them. Every kind of equipment that you buy, including mats, dumbbells, and exercise bands needs proper storage.
If you have no idea where to start, you should store dumbbells on the racks and buy baskets to store your bands and stretch straps.
Consider Your Budget
You might have huge workout goals but at limited budget. Don’t let this deter you. Instead of buying expensive equipment that could mess up your monthly budget, you should buy used equipment at a reasonable price.
Moreover, you do not have to buy every piece of equipment at once; start with the basics and gradually work your way up to specific pieces of equipment.
Comfort Counts
Whether you opt for a single or multi-station home gym, you need to use it accordingly. To make it easier to exercise, you should make your space more comfortable by investing in good ventilation.
If most of your exercises will be performed on the floor, you should consider buying a comfortable mat to lie on.