Have you wanted to start building a home gym? Here’s what you need to know!

When it comes to your dream home, you want your dream space — which means that every detail is tailored to you and your needs. From a kitchen with plenty of built-ins to a heated floor in the bathroom, the little details and spaces in a home are what make it so special. And, one of the things that go into a dream home for a lot of people is a home gym.

Building a home gym has never been more popular than it is now, especially coming out of a pandemic where people realized they might not need to spend hundreds on gym memberships and personal trainers that require them to leave the house. Working out at home has exploded these past two years, and building a home gym is a sustainable, convenient way to prioritize your fitness.

Have you been thinking about building a home gym? We’re sharing all of our tips for creating a home gym you’ll love — i.e., one you’ll actually work out in.

 

Select your home gym space.

When you’re going about building a home gym, you need to choose an appropriate space in your home. From a guest bedroom to the garage to an addition, put some thought into where, exactly, you want your home gym to be. We’d recommend considering noise, temperature, and the type of flooring first — though everything can definitely be tweaked, adjusted and built to your specifications.

Once you’ve decided where in your house your home gym will be, you can add in gym-like additions to totally elevate the experience! Here are some ideas:

• Add floor-length mirrors to your walls
• Install a sound system
• Install heating and cooling (especially if you’re designing a garage gym)
• Be intentional about your flooring — stay away from heavy carpet, and instead consider installing something like rubber flooring (cleanable and soundproof!)

Choose your base equipment.

The biggest part of building a home gym goes into stocking that home gym, and we’d recommend choosing a few pieces of equipment and gear to get started. Here are some basics to include, from strength training musts to cardio gear:

• Weight options: Strength training is a key part of reaching fitness goals, which is why weights are a key part of a home gym setup! Include these weight options in your home gym:
  • Adjustable dumbbells: Adjustable dumbbells are key strength training picks, and they save so much space compared to traditional dumbbells! Make sure they adjust to weights that challenge you (and add some weight plates in there for heavier strength work, too).
  • Power rack: A power rack is a great option to include in your home gym, and is a really versatile way to practice everything from a lat pulldown to squats. A power rack stocked with weight plates, adjustable dumbbells and a bar is a huge help.
  • Weight bench: A weight bench is another versatile, great option for your home gym. While you can use it for things like bench press workouts, you can also do a variety of other things — including stretching — on a weight bench, and it doesn’t take up much space.
• Bodyweight options: Outside of weights, keep a box of bodyweight-friendly items like resistance bands, a yoga mat, a foam roller and even an ab roller. These are tiny options that can make a big difference.
• Cardio options: Building a home gym might make you think of nothing but weights, but a cardio option will be a huge asset. Consider going big with a stationary bike or treadmill, and keep easy options like a jump rope nearby, too.

Now, create your gym!

Alright, you’re ready to level up your fitness goals and make some muscle moves! If you want to create a next-level home gym addition in your home, give us a shout. We’d love to help you make your home gym dreams come true.

And, if you’re embracing the DIY life, we’ve got you covered! Download our Ultimate Room Additions Guide and learn our tips for elevating the process.