Having a dedicated home workout space is on many homeowner's wish lists, right up there with a fenced-in backyard and plenty of parking. If you're ready to transform part of your house into the home gym of your dreams, our real estate agents are here to share some tips for creating your ultimate DIY fitness room.
Understand Your Goals. First and foremost, decide how you want to use your home fitness space. Are you looking for a place to practice yoga? Work on weight training? Get your cardio in? All of the above? The size of the space, coupled with your intended use, will set the foundation for how you bring your gym to life.
Start With the Right Space. If you already know exactly where you want to set up your home gym, then you can skip ahead. Otherwise, don't gloss over this section! It's impossible to overstate the importance of choosing the right space. Basements, garages and extra bedrooms are all prime candidates. Once you've decided on a room, you can start to clear it out and think about what kind of equipment you want.
Lay Down Some Flooring. Rubber flooring is essential, especially if you're setting up your workout space in a concrete-floored basement or garage. Exercise mats are readily available and easy to install, but consider an alternative option: horse stall mats. They're cheaper, heavier, more durable and easy to cut into any size you need.
Look for Secondhand Gear. But Focus on Quality. By all means, scan Craigslist, eBay and Facebook Marketplace for used fitness equipment. There are some great deals out there, and you can save a bundle compared to buying new. That being said, it's also important that you don't skimp on quality. Invest in good, solid gym equipment that's comfortable to use and won't break down on you. Otherwise, you'll just end up having to buy it all again.
Prioritize Multi-Use Equipment. When limited space presents an issue, focus on getting gym equipment that serves more than one function. When you can do multiple workouts on the same machine, you save both space and money by buying less equipment.
Install a Mirror. There's a reason why virtually all gyms have mirrors. They allow you to see your form as you work out, making it easier to make adjustments and improve. As a secondary bonus, mirrors can also make small home gym spaces appear larger, so be sure to get a good full-length mirror or two.
Don't Over-Crowd the Space. Keeping your home gym uncluttered is essential not only for functionality but also safety. Plenty of injuries are caused by tripping over ill-placed equipment in an overcrowded room. Make sure there's plenty of space to walk between and around all your workout equipment.
Make it Look Nice. Looks aren't everything, but they do matter. Nobody wants to work out in a dark, undecorated corner of an unfinished basement. Put some effort into making your home gym the kind of place you actively want to spend time in, and you'll be much more likely to use it. Start with pleasant lighting and a smart organization system for gear. A good sound system for playing workout tunes and a TV on the wall for watching while you're on the bike or treadmill are solid choices, too.
Contact us today to learn more about creating the perfect home workout space in your Chicagoland home. And if you're still on the hunt for your dream home, our real estate agents are here to help with that, too.
