How To Create The Perfect Home Gym

New Year's Resolution season is right around the corner, and many of us are resolving to get our workout routines back on track as 2022 begins. Working out brings with it undeniable physical and mental health benefits, and a home gym area is a fantastic way to take your workout routine to the next level. Being able to work out at home means being able to squeeze in a workout without having to travel to and from a gym, no lines for equipment, and the ability to stick to a routine. In an era of uncertainty, a home gym can be a reliable, private, risk-free place to ensure you never have to skip your gym time again. 

And, working out at home has never been more accessible. Customizable workout apps, online classes and pre-programmed workouts in every genre from high intensity interval training, to cardio, to yoga, have given all of us customizable fitness plans on demand. Sophisticated fitness trackers offer insight into every aspect of a workout, including cardiovascular health, progress over time, and even the mental benefits of working out consistently.

However, a home gym doesn't offer any of these benefits unless you actually want to use it. Piling a handful of weights or wedging a treadmill in an unused corner can make it all too attractive to skip a workout rather than plunging headfirst into a fitness journey. Learn a few tips and tricks for setting up a perfect home gym — one that you'll actually want to use!

Choose Your Spot

Creating a home gym that you'll actually use starts with choosing the right spot in your home. While this might seem as simple as finding an unused area in your home, making your workout space inviting and ergonomic is key. Think about when you'll be exercising — if you like to start your day with a workout, pick a spot that gets great early light. If you prefer to get your workout in after your workday ends, think about adding some lighting options. If you live in a Chicago home, you may have a great workout space in your basement, but will low ceilings cramp your overhead exercises?  Creating a routine is important — try to choose a space, even if it's small, that becomes part of that routine, so that when you step into that space, you know you're there to focus on exercise.

Consider also the kind of workout equipment you like to use. If you want to bring in a bulky item like a treadmill or exercise bike, think about locating your gym space in a more open area, so you're not constantly moving items around to use them. If you're using a screen to take classes or follow along with workouts online, ensure that you've got the screen mounted between 24 and 30 inches off the floor - ideal for visibility from both standing and seated positions. And if you intend to use heavy equipment like weights, adding rubberized floor mats can help to keep noise to a minimum and avoid damaging your flooring. 

If you're not sure what kind of workout routine will appeal to you most, most experts recommend starting small and adding equipment as you go. Starting with resistance bands and body-weight exercises will allow you to figure out what works for you and what doesn't, and will allow you to expand your collection without having to work around bulky equipment you never use.

Make Your Home Gym Inviting!

A mistake too many of us make when creating a home gym is to create a sterile space that doesn't feel inviting or relaxing, which can make it easier to skip the workout altogether. Adding some plants for fresh air or a candle for an inviting scent can increase motivation. If you've got a separate room to dedicate to your gym space, painting the walls a bright, invigorating color will increase your energy level and make your workout feel like less of a chore.

Including a speaker and dimmable lighting in your space can ensure you can always set the right mood for your workout - bright and invigorating for HIIT and cardio routines, dim and restful for a yoga session. 

Adding a mirror to your home gym can help you take your workouts to the next level. A mirror allows you to observe your form, make corrections to your movements to avoid injury, and increase your energy and motivation.

Add Storage To Your Home Gym

Adding a storage unit to your workout space is a great way to maximize the utility of even a small home gym. Vertical, wall mounted storage units can provide a place to keep resistance bands, dumbbells, and even your trusty water bottle while you work out. Including storage keeps your workout space from becoming cluttered, which can improve your energy and make workouts more effective. It also helps to prevent common workout injuries from falls or rolled ankles. Shelving units like this one, from Ikea, provide large, open spaces in which to store a variety of equipment, and can be supplemented with baskets or boxes to hold smaller items out of sight. 

Think About Recovery

Nothing will sap your enthusiasm for a new routine faster than stiff and sore muscles after you finish a challenging workout. When you're designing your home workout space, keep recovery in mind. Adding a foam roller to your gym's arsenal allows you to knead sore or stiff muscles, and making sure you have a mat for pre- and post-workout stretching can make recovery less painful. Other recovery tools, like a Theragun for massaging post-workout muscles or a hot and cold foot roller for relieving sore feet, can help keep fatigue and discouragement at bay. 

Ready To Take Your Home Workout To The Next Level?

The chilly days of fall and winter are a great opportunity to focus on personal goals. 

Ready to check out a new place with more room for your home workouts? While it's hardly business as usual right now, we know that the Chicagoland real estate market is still strong. That's why your local Baird & Warner agent is with you at every step of the way, from finding the perfect home to connecting you with local experts in mortgage and title. The market is moving — and if you're ready, you can too.