Are you tired of trying to make time to stop by the gym after work? Do you find that you pay for a membership only to not use it? Home gyms have become very popular and it makes sense why they have too. Think about it. Having a home gym allows you to come home, relax, do what you need to, and then easily fit in working out as you do not have to worry about the drive time, crowds, or even the weather.
While a home gym may seem like a large investment at first, take some time to add up a gym membership and you will quickly see that a home gym is very worth it for you. Fitness beginners and experts can all benefit from having a gym right in their home where they can go to and release energy and feel good about themselves.
Building a home gym can be a bit of a process, but this blog is designed to help you better understand whether it is a good option for you and how to get going with your new build out.
Would a Home Gym Be a Good Option for You?
Only you can answer that. Home gyms are perfect for some people and there are others who would best benefit from being at a physical location away from their home. Home gyms do offer a stress-free and judgement-free zone and you can receive a more personalized workout.
For example, with a home gym, you can build out the gym to include what you want it to have, as opposed to a gym that has a multitude of different equipment and sometimes, maybe not even what you are looking for.
So, what exactly are some of the benefits of creating a gym right in the comfort of your home?
- No wait times to use the equipment
- Less peer pressure
- No need for a gym bag or to pack items with you
- No travel time
- Personalized experience
- No contracts or membership fees to pay
- Use your own electronics (TV, music, etc.)
When Wouldn’t a Home Gym Be the Best Option for You?
As we mentioned, a home gym is not always the best choice for everyone and that is okay. It is probably not a good choice if you are someone who is motivated by physically going to the gym. For example, if you know that you will NOT work out because the gym is in your home, then a home gym just might not be right for you. Some people require that push to get them out and staying healthy.
Here are some other times where a home gym might not be right:
- You like to meet new people while working out
- You work out with your friends
- You utilize a personal trainer
- You use the amenities on site at the gym such as the sauna or pool
Determine Where the Home Gym Will Go
Do you have a location for your home gym? Some people turn that garage or a portion of the garage into a gym while others have an empty room that they can use. The biggest barrier to having a home gym is that most people typically just do not have the room to have one.
If you are sold on the idea of your own gym, you could think outside the box and have it in an outdoor shed or even in your basement. Fortunately, your exercise equipment can go anywhere, so you are not too limited on where you actually set the equipment down.
No matter which spot you choose, you want to make sure that there is airflow to the area, enough lighting, and electrical outlets. Of course, an even surface helps out a lot too. An unbalances or uneven machine is a dangerous machine.
Determine What Your Exercise Routine Is
One of the true benefits of having a home gym is that you can customize and personalize it to meet your needs. Your workout preferences will come first, and you do not have to cater to anyone else. You can also grow your gym over time and slowly add in new machines as you can afford them.
As you get ready to plan for your new home gym, think about what it is that you want to get out of your exercise routine and what your goals are. Knowing this will assist you in choosing the right machines and equipment. Adding a treadmill to your gym but knowing that you hate to run does not make much sense.
To help you out, here are some pieces of equipment for you to explore and consider:
- Foam rollers
- Yoga mat
- Pull-up bar
- Resistance bands
- Sledgehammer
- Dumbbells
- Kettlebells
- Jump rope
- Elliptical
- Rowing machine
- Foldable bench
- Treadmill
- Stair climber
Have a Budget? Tips to Help You Find Affordable Fitness Equipment
It would be a huge disappointment to plan out a home gym only to find out that you cannot afford the exercise equipment needed to make it happen. While you do not need tons of different machines, you will need to start out with a couple of things to get and keep you going.
Cost is one of the primary concerns that homeowners have when it comes to a home gym and it makes sense. Fitness equipment can become very expensive very quickly. In vesting in a good, high-quality machine is worth every penny. If you are stuck within a budget, don’t panic. There are ways for you to save as much as possible when you do shop for and ultimately purchase your exercise equipment.
Secondhand
People love to sell items and you will find that many people sell their fitness equipment, especially around spring and summer. You can get many different pieces for a cheap price and most are in incredible condition too.
Check out these options for secondhand fitness machines:
- OfferUp
- Craigslist
- Local Neighborhood App
- Facebook Marketplace
- eBay
- LetGo
- Local Secondhand Sports Stores
These applications and online websites allow you to narrow down your search and filter the results. Before you purchase any equipment secondhand from the Internet, it is vital that you protect yourself and make sure you are not getting scammed. Keep these things in mind:
- Always read the reviews of a seller (you can spot a scammer pretty quickly)
- Use exact phrases when searching
- Work to negotiate the price of the item (you want to save as much as possible)
- NEVER give money to someone over the Internet to hold the item or to put down as a security deposit
- ALWAYS meet the individual in a well-lit public place during the day
Thrift Store
You can’t always be sure whether you will find anything at the thrift store, as they are hit or miss, but you can definitely check them out. When they do receive fitness equipment, they offer really good prices on the secondhand items and you can really score a deal.
One nice thing about thrift shops is that they often offer discount days where you can save money on certain items. For example, Monday might be 40% off furniture and Tuesday might be 30% off exercise machines.
Use Your Body
If you find that you are having trouble finding exercise equipment that is within your budget or you are only able to get a single piece or two, use your natural body weight to help you work out. You can do these types of exercise any where and any time of the day without a single piece of equipment.
Bodyweight exercises look like:
- Planks
- Push ups
- Squats
- Leg lifts
- Lunges
- Sit ups
- Pull ups
Even if you have the machines you need, adding in bodyweight exercises is a good way to get a full, well-rounded workout in.
Check the House
You probably didn’t even know it, but you likely have things around your home that you can use to help you work out. For example, your couch can double as a place for you to rest a leg while you do assisted squats or lunges. In addition, your couch can even assist with ab workouts.
Don’t be shy and get creative with the things you have around your home, as this will save you a ton of money.
Get the Home Gym You’ve Been Dreaming Of
Once you have your workout routine created, a dedicated space for your equipment, and your equipment, you can get started on putting the room together. Once the home gym is ready, you will want to make sure you maintain it, just as you would at the gym. This means you will need to wipe down the benches and equipment once you are done using them.
Remember, your home gym does not have to be luxurious or elaborate and only needs to work to provide you with the customized solutions you need to remain healthy and stay active.