6:00: Wake up and start a pot of coffee
6:45: Get kids out of bed and start making breakfast
7:00 – 7:30: Pack lunches, help the kids get ready for school
7:30: Out the door on the way to school and work
Sound like your morning? The first few hours of the day are typically jam-packed and the time after work is even worse for busy families! So how do you get enough time to get a decent shower let alone get to the gym for workouts throughout the week? For many working families, they can’t. One way we’ve seen families make time for physical activity is by bringing the workout into the home. It’s much faster and easier to get a workout in if it’s just a matter of pulling on the tennis shoes and walking down to the basement or in-home workout room. If you think a home gym might be the best addition to your custom home dream, read up on these tips for making the most of your workout without ever leaving the comfort of your home.
Plenty of Natural Light
For outdoor enthusiasts, natural light helps get the day started. When getting your morning workout in, wide open windows make the room feel less like a room made to function as a workout room and more like a chic gym or health club. As open and airy as you can make the room feel, the more likely you are to want to spend time there. The best benefit though? All that Vitamin D helps boost your mood and energy. Hard to compete with that.
Choose Your Equipment
Before you start collecting paint chips and pulling floor samples, decide what will go in the room. This will guide many of your design decisions as you plan your custom home gym. Big fan of yoga? Your space might be clean and open with a large mirror and plenty of storage. Prepping for a mini-marathon? Budget space for a treadmill or large machine for getting miles in while there’s snow on the ground. Choose your essentials, then start thinking about the fine details.
Mirrors to check your form
Most workout rooms need a large wall mirror. One of the most important parts of your workout regimen is your form. Bad form can cause injury or long-term negative effects on your joints or bones. A mirror is a must for making sure your form is correct and you’re getting the most out of your workout every time. Plus, with all the time you’ll be spending in your new home gym, you’ll be motivated by seeing how much progress you’re making!
Attached Spa
Once the workout is done and it’s time to cool down. An attached spa is the ultimate luxury for an in-home gym. It could be as simple as a shower and small restroom, or as extravagant as your own personal sauna for sweating out any leftover toxins post-workout. Whatever you decide, having an attached bathroom or spa really makes the room feel like an exclusive gym and makes working out as enjoyable as possible.
Entertain Yourself
You can’t walk into a gym today without hearing the thumping bass of a spin class music track, or step onto a treadmill without a TV nearby. We like to have something to watch or listen to while working out to keep us motivated. It’s nice to take a break from the grind of the day to day and take some time to catch up on the news or listen to your favorite music. Use your personal preference to choose the right audio and visual tech for your room. A large TV is great for following workout videos on your own or to join a virtual class. High quality surround sound speakers might be just what you need to break that mile record you’ve been working toward.
Create Your Own Juice Bar
A favorite perk of the paid gym membership is the delicious and nutritious treats they offer for you to grab on the way out. There’s no reason you can’t create your own juice bar in your private gym. Go all out and design a small kitchen area with fridge, sink, and all the necessities for on-hand ice-cold water or a fresh smoothie after your workout.
Let the Good Air Flow
Nothing is worse than the smell of stale sweat. When the workout heats up, you’re going to want a way to cool down. Add windows for natural air and design the room with a powerful system to keep the temperature down (even more important if you’re treating yourself to an in-home sauna). You won’t want to step foot in the room if it isn’t fresh and clean.
Bring In Your Passion
Some people would rather bike all day than run even a mile. That’s perfectly fine! This is your home gym and it should reflect what you like to do. Don’t feel like your home gym has to have a treadmill or pull-up bar. Think carefully about what you will actually use and what will keep you coming back for your daily workout. There’s no need to create a gym just to have a gym. Make it a room you want to spend time in, where you feel relaxed, recharged, and finally able to take some much deserved time for yourself!
Let’s get that New Years Resolution back in the picture. Contact our design team to learn how we will walk through each and every step with you to make sure your home is everything you want and more.
