With all the challenges daily life brings, getting yourself to the gym can prove to be a workout itself. Whether you’re looking to squeeze in a few extra minutes of meditation into your routine, or have more sweat stimulating ambitions, one thing is clear: life is too short to live unhealthy and unhappy. Devoting time for your physical and mental well-being is necessary for your overall health.
If paying for gym memberships, travelling back and forth to the gym, or waiting for equipment proves too much of an excuse-driven hassle, building a home gym can be just your ticket to push you to achieve your fitness goals.
You don’t need a lot of space (or money) to do this, too! While a home work out space can present some design challenges (too cramped, not enough room), no matter how small your workout area is, anywhere from a spare room, closet, basement, garage, or even a corner, can be transformed into your personal exercise sanctuary. With a few smart tweaks and handy tips, you can streamline an exercise nook that doesn’t get in the way of your life and enhances your overall well-being.
Tip #1: Flexible Furniture
Spaces that can easily and conveniently host a wide variety of functions means living rooms,dining areas, offices, and bedrooms can pull double duty as your makeshift workout station. Take advantage of the space you have by choosing furniture that is built for maximum efficiency. Think lightweight and portable furniture that can be easily shifted around so that you can clear space effortlessly to stretch out and move. Instead of a bulky armchair or love seat, choose streamlined seating equipped with castor wheels that can slide across your floors so you have a whole area to lay down a yoga mat and workout. Bar stools are especially handy leaving plenty of room to spread out.
Tip #2: Smart Storage
Organizing and reducing clutter will do wonders to lift your overall mood, reduce stress, and calm an over stimulated mind. Going vertical with your storage is a smart solution when working out in a crowded space. Try suspending a pegboard panel on your wall with hooks and rods (which can be attached anywhere) so you can keep towels, headphones, even a yoga mat, and other workout knick knacks close at hand. Open shelving units and racks are another smart solution to solve your clutter dilemma that will get your supplies off the ground, while making equipment easily accessible and beautifully displayed.
Tip #3: Essential Equipment
Whether you’re a casual gym rat or regularly hitting the gym or studio, you can still achieve a satisfying workout with minimal supplies. After all, your body is your best workout machine. Here’s a roundup of essential, space-saving equipment that will target all your muscles without the need for bulky gear. However, it’s important to remember to use equipment that you actually want to use, suited for your personal fitness goals!
Yoga mat: A yoga mat allows you to perform floor exercises with ease and comfort by cushioning the impact of your floor workouts. It’s a lightweight investment that will not only help protect your floors, but is a stylish way to define your space and keep your workout contained to a specific area.
Free weights and foam blocks: A classic component of any gym, small weights and foam blocks are great for toning and strength training exercises. Their convenient size makes them perfect to store on open shelves so that you can further deepen your workout routine.
Pull-up bar: A pull-up bar hardly takes up any room at all! Just secure a bar in any doorway for an effective way to strengthen your upper body and arms.
Barre: The pull-up bar’s close cousin, a barre installed on your wall is a great, affordable workout solution that takes up minimal space. Often used by ballet dancers to achieve lean muscles, a barre can help stabilize standing positions and stretch your muscles.
Jump rope and resistant bands: To get a little cardio burst, you can’t beat using a jump rope to warm up before a workout. Resistant bands are also a great way to target any muscle in your body from legs and thighs, to arms and backs. The benefit of cord equipment is their inherent portability makes them perfect for home use. They can be hung and placed anywhere (see the pegboard panel for inspiration)!
Tip #4: Mirror, Mirror
Adding a full-length mirror (or a panel of mirrors) along your walls helps to bring the illusion of more space to a room. Not only will the addition of mirrors double the size of a room, it will help make your space feel more like a real gym. Placing full-length mirrors in a room also allows you to check out your form to make sure you are properly aligned and exercising properly to prevent injuries.
Tip #5: Ambiance and Atmosphere
Half the battle with getting yourself to exercise regularly is feeling inspired. To keep yourself motivated, add portable speakers and motivational quotes and artwork to help lift your mood and bring extra energy into your workout routine. Just because you’ve dedicated a whole room (or just an area) to exercise in, doesn’t mean it has to be a sterile and drab space. Choose vivid colors for your walls and use bright lights to keep your energy levels up and to keep you active. Your space should be personalized to reflect your taste and personality. Add anything from plants, candles, and incense to help fashion your personal exercise sanctuary.
Guest post written by Christine Villanueva for LuxeDécor
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