How to make a home gym that makes you want to exercise

How to create a fitness space at home that will increase your motivation for exercise? Let's design with reference to the advice of experts.

Many people set "exercise" as their daily goal. However, it is a fact that many people lose their motivation after a while.

Home-building experts say that having an appropriate dedicated space at home will motivate you to keep moving. So what kind of home gym is easy to keep motivated? We talked to three experts.

1. Incorporate only the equipment you need

With the spread of weight-free workouts and apps designed to give you a gym experience at home, you've become able to burn calories easily (and enjoyably) at home.

“Modern home gyms tend to have more space and less equipment,” says Darling Daniels, a designer and fitness consultant for residential gyms.

Daniels says it's easier to work out by giving top priority to the look and feel of your home gym and incorporating only the ones that suit you.

A room packed with space-consuming equipment is no longer required. Other experts say that the space can be used more effectively if there is enough space for stretching, yoga, or functional training with a selection of fixed machines.

Any modern fitness device, such as Mirror's interactive home training system, can also be used as an interior (this device looks fashionable when you're not livestreaming your fitness lessons).

 2. Choose the best place

Before deciding on a machine or training to use, think about where in your house the gym is to keep you exercising. Depending on the location of your home gym, you may use the gym more often. An unobtrusive and quiet basement is often a reasonable choice. If the floor is concrete, you can also handle heavier equipment and weights than in other rooms. The same goes for the garage, says Daniels.

However, if you don't feel motivated to exercise in the dimly lit basement, one option is to use an unused bedroom to create a dedicated gym space. According to Studio 133 interior designer Chris Powell, creating a space dedicated to workouts can make a big difference in motivation. Choosing a slightly isolated location can also help you focus more on your training, Daniels says.

"It's like telling me to get in the way if the gym space is in the corner of the living room or kitchen (because I'm worried about other things)," he says.

3. Design according to realistic goals

Daniels explains that it's a good idea to think realistically about your workout space and design your goals by asking yourself some important questions.

- Consider the following:
- What are you trying to accomplish at the gym?
- How much space do you need?
- What is your favorite instrument?
- How many people use the gym?
- What kind of training do you do?
- How much is the budget?

The answers to these questions will determine the direction of the design. Always be honest with yourself and the professionals who commissioned the design.

“Many people buy equipment that they've heard but never used,” says Daniels. Many people buy only for health benefits, such as "I heard that you can burn more calories than other machines, so I want a rowing machine", but that's a big mistake. If you don't have enough space to move around comfortably, you probably won't use it. If you don't like exercising with that machine, no matter how good it is, it doesn't make sense because you don't use it."

4. Floor is important

The floor has been talked about many times in conversations with experts. Not only the safety of the floor, but also the beauty of the floor determines the atmosphere of the entire space.

"The floor is the fifth wall," says Ginger Curtis, interior designer at Urbanology Designs. "Even if you have a limited budget, I advise you to at least remove the carpet and spend money on the floor."

When Powell's team at Studio 133 created the home gym in the photo, they combined commercial rubber gym flooring with soothing bamboo plywood and an accordion-style window wall. “The outer walls can be completely folded so you can work out or do yoga indoors or outdoors,” says Powell.

Other popular gym flooring materials include vinyl, cork, sponge, and hardwood.

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5. In a lively atmosphere

Curtis emphasizes that the frequency of use depends greatly on the mood and atmosphere of the home gym. When designing a fitness space in a home, factors such as lighting, views and a sense of organic calm are important.

In this project, the homeowners were yoga instructors and NFL players. Curtis built in the necessary equipment for each of them, while incorporating healing white walls, large windows, and warm wooden doors to ensure a connection to the outdoor landscape.

“During a workout, your body gets tired, tense, and driven. A stimulating, bright and energetic workout environment can help you achieve the results you want.” Curtis says. "Health is not only physical but also mental."

6. Value details

Some people may want to create a gym that feels more fit to them than a fully machined commercial gym. Experts say it's best to add water, shoe storage, foliage plants, music, television, and artwork to finish the space.

“Using a beautiful wooden pegboard to hang a skipping rope or stretch band is better than just stacking things on the floor,” Curtis says.

7. An exciting space full of energy

Home gyms are an investment to save money on expensive gym membership fees and make your daily habits more convenient. “You don't have to use your own shower to wipe off someone's sweat on the bench, and you don't have to wait in line to use the machine,” says Daniels. However, in order to enjoy this advantage, it is necessary to create an energetic and exciting space. "What I don't want to do the most is to get up at 5am and head for a cold, dark and uncomfortable fitness space."