Tips and advice on designing your own home gym

Whether you are just starting to set up your first home gym or just wanting to upgrade your current gym that consists solely of a few scattered weights on the floor, here is some of our best advice on building an awesome home gym. Naturally, people will have different budgets and different expectations of what they want to achieve, but our tips on designing your own home gym will provide invaluable advice whatever your personal circumstances.

What equipment do you need?

Think carefully about what equipment you will use – be mindful of what gym equipment you will actually use and consider your budget when buying. There are a few staples that every home gym needs like dumbbells, a weight bench, and a barbell. You can find a great range of quality weight benches online to fit any budget.

Similarly, if you have the budget and space for bigger pieces of kit such as treadmills and rowing machines, ensure you research thoroughly. Don’t assume the most expensive is always the best. And most importantly, only purchase this sort of equipment if you are really committed to using it.

And don’t forget, although having a basic set of equipment is a good idea, you can do a simple home workout without any kit at all.

In fact, perhaps the absolute starting point for designing your own home gym is a commitment to get started with a regular home workout session RIGHT NOW– and build on all the various constituents to make the most of your gym as you go along.

Choose the right spot

You may not exactly be spoilt for choice with regards to where you put your home gym but if you are faced with a choice then here are some factors that you should consider:

• • • Light, a gym should be well lit and have as much natural light as you get to help keep you energised and motivated while working out.
    • Distractions, keep distractions to a minimum and set up your gym far from the main hub of your home.
    • Noise, try to set up your gym away from the neighbours to avoid disturbing them and this means you can blast your workout playlist as loud as you like.

Add a sound system

Add a good quality sound system if you can as music has a positive impact on your energy levels and can make your workout go much quicker and feel much easier to complete. Find the right music for you and create a playlist that is going to motivate you.

Perhaps you get more done when listening to heavy metal or maybe you find music with lyrics too distracting. It’s a very personal choice!

Keep your home gym organised

Invest in some storage solutions for your weights and dumbbells. A tidy gym not only looks better but is much more conducive to a good workout. Clutter and mess will distract you and affect your productivity. By keeping your equipment organised you can better stay on track with your routine.

Make safety a priority

At your home gym, you obviously do not have strict health and safety regulations and trained staff to monitor the equipment, so you will have to do it yourself.

Be particularly mindful of heavy weights that can fall or equipment that can topple over and take the necessary steps to keep yourself, and anyone else who uses the gym, as safe as possible.

Consider gym flooring

Gym flooring is easy to purchase and install and can be a lifesaver on your joints. It helps cushion yourself for floor workouts or stretches, prevents the floor from getting too slippery with sweat and protects the floor underneath from any damage.

Add some personal touches

Put a personal touch on your gym to make it somewhere you are happy to spend time in. This could be by adding some splashes of colour to brighten it up or hanging pictures or posters on the walls.

Decorate the gym in whatever way makes you feel happier and more energised, consider how colours can affect your mood and emotions.

According to the type of workouts you might be doing, perhaps incorporating elements such as yoga and Pilates rather than heavier workouts all the time – and it is good to have a mix – you might like to consider softer options such as scented candles and dimmer lights when you are designing your own home gym.