If the Covid-19 lockdown has been wreaking havoc with your fitness regime, creating your own home gym may be the solution. Whatever your budget or your DIY skills, here are a few useful tips that will help you get back on the treadmill, so to speak!
The space
To create a successful home gym, the first thing you’ll need is a suitable space. It could be set up in the box room, the garage or even a corner of your bedroom.
If you fitness programme includes using heavy weights or a treadmill, you’ll require something like reinforced and soundproofed engineered wood flooring – especially if you live in an upstairs flat. The same goes for overhead; if you’ll be using equipment that attaches to the ceiling such as a suspension trainer or punch bag, you don’t want to be bringing the roof down!
Many bits of gym equipment needs a power supply, so you need sufficient electric plug sockets. You’ll probably also be plugging in air conditioning units such as a cooling fan or an electric radiator. If you can’t increase the number of wall sockets, invest in a multi-gang socket extension.
The equipment
We’ve already touched on some of the equipment you’ll use in a home gym; again, what you invest in will depend on your budget, workout routine and available space. Some items, such as a skipping rope and a yoga mat are easy on the pocket and don’t require huge amounts of space. On the other hand, an exercise bike, treadmill, rowing machine and weight training bench will need a great deal of room. If you only have a compact space, a multi-gym machine which incorporates many bits of kit into one is an ideal solution. If you’ll be doing yoga or Pilates, your equipment needs will be different to if you’ll be doing circuit training.
The décor
If you’re going to be spending a great deal of time in a space working on your fitness, that space needs to be comfortable, motivational, and most of all, safe. Having piece of gym equipment strewn about the place is an accident waiting to happen. Ensure that you have sufficient storage space; shelves, lockers, cupboards and hooks will keep things off the floor and out of harm’s way.
A full-length mirror is another essential piece of gym furniture; both for working on your technique and seeing the progress your sessions are having in achieving your desired weight and body.
Perhaps you could install a television to watch whilst doing repetitive routines such as running, rowing or cycling. It will occupy your mind and help get through the task. You could use this time to catch up on the news or soaps or even to take part in streaming online exercise classes. If you don’t like the idea of a television, how about a hi-fi for listening to your own tailor-made exercise playlists? They’d get you into the perfect workout mood and rhythm as well as push you to keep going when you begin to flag.
Hopefully, our tips have helped you decide what space and kit you need to assemble your own home gym.
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