4 Factors to Consider When Building Home Gyms
Most Americans don't get enough exercise. The CDC recommends adults be active for at least 60 minutes per day, but research finds the average American is active for less than 17 minutes daily. This falls well short of the recommended amount and puts adults at risk for obesity, stroke, and heart disease.
But studies also show that Americans want to get fit. A recent survey found that 60% want to feel healthier while 51% want to lose weight by exercising more and changing their diets. This is a step in the right direction, but it's not enough.
Building home gyms could be the answer to the struggle many Americans face to achieve and maintain weight loss. Though getting a gym membership is well-intentioned, it's not always a good solution. One survey found that around 6 million Americans spent almost $400 million on unused gym memberships.
Building a home gym room may have some initial costs, but the money you could save compared with a gym membership would far outweigh the price. Creating a space for working out in your home makes exercise easier and more accessible. But before you do so, there are some things to consider, read on to find out what they are.
1. Your Budget
Although a home gym setup will almost certainly save you money in the long term, you'll still only have a set budget to work with, to begin with. No matter what this budget is, it's possible to create a gym that will suit your needs.
If you have a lot of money to play around with, you don't necessarily need to buy a lot of high-tech and expensive equipment right off the bat. Don't be enticed by bells and whistles or popular brand names. Think about what you need and buy accordingly.
If you've only got a small budget, don't worry, there are plenty of tricks to squeeze in everything you need. The first step is to be critical about what you actually need: prioritize what is the most important and buy that equipment first. You can also look for discounted equipment at a fitness equipment warehouse that sells used and refurbished machines.
Don't forget to factor things like workout gear, protein powder, and fitness subscriptions into your budget also. These hidden costs can add up fast if you don't keep on top of them.
2. Your Fitness Goals
One of the most important things to think about is what your fitness goals are. The gym you create will be completely different if you want to build muscle than if you want to train for a marathon, for example. Before you purchase or plan anything for your home gym, determine what you want to achieve on your fitness journey.
You might have a weight you want to reach, you may want to achieve a certain amount of muscle mass, or maybe you want to commit to working out at least once per day. Your fitness goal will be specific to you, and you shouldn't try to compare yourself to anyone else. If you're unsure of where to start, you can consult with your doctor or a personal trainer to see what areas you might want to work on.
3. The Space You Have
Obviously, the space you have will dictate what kind of gym you will be able to build. For example, you will need a relatively large space if you want to fit multiple pieces of cardio equipment into your space. If you only want to include weights or a space to stretch and practice yoga, then a smaller space will probably be ok.
It is not a good idea to try and fit too many things into a space that is not large enough, as accidents and injuries are more likely to occur. Try to space out your equipment as much as possible, especially if more than one person will be using the space at the same time. Think about adding in things like mirrors or handrails to check out your form if you will be doing a lot of stretching and strength training.
4. Health and Safety
As in a regular gym, your home gym should be a functional and safe space that takes measures to minimize the amount of injuries that occur. As above, try not to cram too many things into one space. You should also make sure that you have read the instructions for each piece of equipment before using it, and that you have assembled it correctly.
Another important thing to remember is the surface you will be exercising on. Soft, non-slip gym mats and flooring are the best. They will provide you with traction for training and will break your fall if you do happen to make a misstep.
If you were to injure yourself while exercising, at best you could sprain something and be out of action for a couple of weeks. At worst you could do serious damage which could permanently impact your fitness, not to mention your life.
Best Tips for Building Home Gyms
The best way to build a home gym that you will get the most out of is to have a plan in place. Set your budget ahead of time and assess the space you have to work with so that you can make a usable space. Have fitness goals in mind so that you can purchase equipment that will serve them well.
Building home gyms doesn't have to be expensive. Browse our wide range of refurbished and wholesale gym equipment today and see how you can create a home gym room at a fraction of the normal cost.
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