How to Build a Home Gym You Will Love (and Actually Use)

If you have been running back and forth to a commercial gym, paying steep membership fees even when you don’t have the opportunity to go, a home gym will be a welcome change! You will save time and money while achieving the same results, and you’ll have constant access to your favorite workout equipment 24/7.

And for those of you who aren’t currently working out but you’re 100% ready to make a time and money commitment, a home gym is a logical place to start. For privacy and convenience, there isn’t a better way to begin working out than at home. A professional-looking home gym will help keep you motivated way better than a monthly membership!

Here are a few of our best tips for designing and organizing your home gym for ease of use and maximum results!

Carve out a space that is 100% dedicated to the purpose

You should have a home gym area that is only used for working out. No hanging clothes on the treadmill!

• Remember that you will need open floor space for certain exercises. When you are allotting space for your new home gym, think about stretching, plyometrics yoga..even jumping jacks! – any exercise that may require you to swing, move and stretch.
• Design your home gym before you start moving equipment in to make sure that you’ll have enough room for everything you want to incorporate by taking measurements and drawing it out.

Choose a variety of equipment

Your choice of equipment will depend on your exercise preferences and goals, but here are a few of the most common pieces of equipment you can pick up to get started.

• A bench and free weights such as dumbbells or kettle balls in varying weights – You could design an entire full-body workout based only on these pieces, so don’t discount the basics!
• Jump ropes – Jumping rope is one of the most high-intensity cardio workouts there is, so having a jump rope can do away with the need for a cardio machine, saving you even more money and space!
• A pull-up bar and resistance bands – Pull ups are excellent for your entire upper body, not just arms. If you can’t do a pull-up yet, you can use the resistance bands for help, and they’re also great for stretching!
• Boxes of varying heights – You can use these boxes for plyometrics, step-ups, reverse dips, and so much more! Different sized boxes can be stacked when not in use to save space.
• A cardio machine – Definitely not a necessity, but many people appreciate having a treadmill, stair climber, spin bike or elliptical indoors, especially on rainy days when outdoor cardio training isn’t possible.

Don’t forget the details!

Just getting the workout equipment in your home gym isn’t enough

• Items like speakers, shelves, mirrors, lighting, fans, and a television need to be carefully placed so that they’ll be most beneficial.
• Flooring – You certainly don’t want carpet or hardwood in your home gym. You need something that is easy to clean and can withstand scuffs and dings
• Budget for things like towels and yoga mats
• Paint color and décor – Just because it’ a functional space doesn’t mean that it can’t look great, too! Make your home gym a space where you enjoy spending time by adding personal touches anywhere you can.

Start with the basics – whatever you have on hand or can get for little cost – and let your home gym grow based on your workout preferences over time.

Head over to Simply Self Storage and get that unused fitness equipment out of storage! Not only will you be creating the perfect home gym, but you will also free up some storage space for less-used sporting equipment, furniture, antiques, collectibles, and more!