Between the ongoing COVID crisis and incoming colder weather, many of us a have been migrating to home workouts. The demand for home gyms and home workout equipment has been through the roof since the beginning of 2020, and there are no signs of it slowing down. If you’re considering switching to full-time home workouts, having a dedicated space for your exercise routine is important – and creating a space that supports your exercise routine, as opposed to hindering it, is key.
Here are some simple tips on how to make your home gym functional -- and fun:
-
Create a home gym that’s appealing and functional
Arrange your space in a way that’s inviting; it’s important to make your home gym a place you want to be in. This means adding items that make you feel comfortable and arranging your home gym in a way that flows well with your workout routine. For example, adding an essential oil diffuser and including scents that correlate with your mood or what type of workout you want to have, or adding an inspiration board for you to pin motivational quotes or other goal-oriented imagery to help keep you going. When it comes to the layout of your home gym, consider adding a designated meditation corner or a stretching area to use to warm up and cool down after an exercise. Include shelving or a well-organized storage space to store small weights or recovery tools.
-
Include some practical additions to your home gym
Make sure your home gym is comfortable and safe. One way to do this is to ensure your home gym is well-insulated so you’re comfortable during those chilly months. Having a warm home gym not only makes you feel comfortable, it actually keeps your muscles loose; preventing any workout-related injuries. If your home gym is in a basement or garage with concrete flooring, consider installing rubber floor mats as well to help with insulation and to provide comfort for stretching or any workouts that require you to sit, kneel, jump, etc. on your home gym’s floor.
-
Hang a mirror in your home gym
Adding a mirror to your home gym will help you to focus on your technique allowing you to make small adjustments that you may not have seen if you weren’t watching yourself do your exercises. Seeing yourself in motion may also inspire you to work harder; providing you a burst of energy. It can also help you correct your posture while stretching, making sure you stretch every body part with precision.
-
Incorporate new equipment or exercises to keep things fresh
As you continue to perfect your exercise routine in your home gym, it can be helpful to add in some new exercises or equipment to keep things exciting. If you usually do cardio, try out some strength training; if you need to relax, try out some yoga or meditation. Browse online and find new equipment that you’re excited to try or find guided work outs on YouTube so you can learn from the pros.
-
Remember your recovery gear
While working out is incredibly important for your health and overall wellbeing, proper recovery from those work outs is equally important. If your muscles feel tight in those deep, non-superficial muscles like your glutes or psoas, try out a myofascial release tool, like MFLEX. If you need to target a pressure point you can’t quite reach on your own, like your shoulders or back, try a full-body trigger point tool, like BodyFlex Pro. Or, if you want to just roll out those stiff muscles after an intense workout, try a vibrating peanut massager, like Proto. The best part is, these tools all take up minimal space and are easily portable!
If you’re considering taking on the task of setting up a home gym but feel unsure of where to start, follow these tips and you’ll put together the perfect home gym for you in no time!