Do you want to build a home gym that you really want to use for the long term? One of the best ways to ensure that you want to exercise regularly is to design and decorate your home gym so that it is an attractive location.
A beautifully designed home gym that is visually appealing and fully functional makes the possibility of a workout more inviting, but incorporating wellness elements into your home gym ideas is vital as well.
Use our guide to design and decorate a stylish home gym – and most importantly, the space in which you want to work out.
home gym design
Before we get to the aesthetics, let’s take a look at the basic elements – this includes the space, the equipment – of course – the light, ventilation and maybe even the sound system.
(Image credit: Technogym)
Where do you put the gym in your home?
The space you have at home will really affect where you put your home gym – but also think about your style of exercise.
“We built a home gym at the end of our yard, which seemed like the most sensible option,” he says. Homes and gardens“Editor-in-chief Lucy Searle. However, we learned an important lesson in doing so—that none of us like to travel through rain, hail, and snow to get there in the winter, which means we actually used it in late spring into early fall. So, we hauled our gear The gym moved to an extra bedroom and we found we were more likely to train at home.The home gym is now a hangout for teens, and it’s just right for our family.
However, if you are an exercise lover, enjoy escape and peace, or simply do not have spare space at home, then a separate garden building will be the perfect place for you. And if you have a pool, it makes sense to combine a home gym with a pool house.
(Image credit: James Merrill)
What is the right size for a home gym?
The size of your home gym really depends on what you want to include.
This totally depends on your needs; If you want your own personal yoga studio, you only need a small room, the size of a small bedroom—and mirror panels can be added to create a sense of spaciousness, says designer Catherine Polly.
However, if you are planning a fully equipped gym and have a treadmill, weights, etc., you will definitely need more space. Consider height, too – if you have low ceilings, high-intensity exercises with jumping will be more difficult.
As a rough guide, the American Council on Exercise advises that you’ll need 20 to 50 square feet of space to work out with free weights; Add the treadmill, and you’ll need an additional 30 square feet; A multi gym requires 50 to 200 square feet.
(Image credit: Technogym)
How to set up a home gym
“Function is key, spaces should be allocated to ensure all exercises are done with enough space,” advises designer Catherine Polley.
“Size is very important – you have to have enough space to achieve your space goals. If you go to the gym regularly, there will be a lot so it should be a space that you enjoy spending time in, and have enough space to feel relaxed and not cramped. I find, especially in the climate. Current, that the equipment itself is not necessary; it has a space that you would love to be in, and that suits your needs.
It is a good idea to clearly define the different spaces within your home gym; For example a yoga area, a weights section, a cardio corner. Each exercise comes with a different mindset, and that should be reflected in the space itself.
In order to design the perfect gym for you, first be upfront about what you will actually be doing there and the equipment you need to reach your fitness goals.
“When drawing the floor plan, be practical about what size room you have and what will comfortably fit you,” says interior designer Kelly Hoppen. “You won’t enjoy exercise if everything is too close together and you have very little room to stretch.”
If your home gym is located in the garden, be sure to include the basics, such as power and Wi-Fi in your design. If you have a lot of space, you may want to include ideas for a shower room and toilet to your wish list. If you are combining a home gym with pool house ideas, these along with storage for towels and clothes will be a must.
(Image credit: Technogym)
What equipment do you need for a home gym?
If you have the space you may want to consider a multi gym, perhaps one of the best treadmills – a must if walking for fitness is your thing – you will need to take rowing machines, gym bikes or elliptical trainers in consedration. If you need the encouragement of a gym trainer, and make sure the Wi-Fi is good so you can make video calls with ease — or invest in a system like Vaha, a mirrored HD training portal.
If you do HIIT—some of the best exercises you can do at home for strength and fitness—or yoga or Pilates, a simple yoga mat and a set of dumbbells may suffice.
“Every client is unique, so the most important thing to keep in mind is what they’ll be using their home gym for,” advises Kelly Hoppen. Most people like to have a cross trainer, running machine, and floor mat, but they may also want a space to do a swiss ball, a ballet room, a set of weights, a rowing machine, etc.
(Image credit: Technogym)
Factor home gym lighting into your own design
Stylist Kathryn Polley advises that “exercises like yoga or Pilates are best suited to low and dim lighting, while high cardio safety comes first, so proper lighting is a must.”
The best idea would be to plan a combination of lighting. Concealed in ceiling cabinets and joinery, diffused LED strip lighting will add a soft touch of light. Down top lights will allow for a bright task lighting.
“I also like to add some aesthetic lighting like sculptural and crystal bronze wall lights – the gym can still be a stylish and thoughtful space – function and beauty are my mottos.”
Natural daylight is also important, so if you have a place in the backyard, use this as an opportunity to design a home gym with plenty of glass – folding/sliding glass doors that open directly into the garden would be great in the summer – and great for ventilation too.
(Photo credit: Amy Bartlam / Stephen Kane Luft Gym)
Ensure that ventilation and heating are functional
Ventilation is a must. If the home gym is at home, simply opening the window will do, although an exhaust fan or dehumidifier may prevent the room from becoming more steamy, especially when the weather is cold.
If your home gym is in the backyard, doors that open would be great in the summer, but be sure to have a window that can be opened for winter workouts. Proper ventilation, such as an exhaust fan or even a dehumidifier, helps get rid of condensation as well.
Keep in mind that ventilation isn’t just for a room—you may want to invest in one of the best fans to keep you cool when you’re exercising, no matter what time of year it is.
Likewise, consider others in the family who use a home gym—investing in your favorite home fragrance can make the space more bearable.
Heating: In the winter, you’ll want the room to at least feel tolerable so you can exercise in complete comfort. And if you’re a fan of hot yoga, you may need to boost your heating quite a bit, in which case insulation should be really effective as well. Install a heating system with a timer, ideally on a smart one, so that you can set the heating to run half an hour before your workout. The remaining space can be left without heating.
Think: Audio/Visual for exercise inspiration
In a professional gym, there will likely be music and a TV or two to distract or entertain you as you hit the treadmill or exercise bike—and there’s no reason not to include them when designing a home gym.
At the very least, a smart speaker that you can voice control to evoke music with the right mood is a must. Even better, a smart TV hanging on the wall will help you pass the time – or you can use it to join your online exercise classes.
(Image credit: Future/Dan Duchars)
Decorating a home gym
Decorating a home gym with the same dedication as you do indoors is vital to its success. This is not just about lighting, but colours, decor and acoustics as well – all as basic as the equipment you choose.
People often assume that the home gym is all about equipment; It’s not just that the actual gym isn’t just about the equipment, says interior designer Catherine Polly.
“It’s about the music, the lighting, and the atmosphere; the same is said about a workout space at home. Make sure you’re creating an experience when you work out; much like they do in boutique gyms.
These items help you create a space that matches your needs: Just as you’d design a quiet bedroom, or a functional kitchen, you should also pay attention when planning a home gym that energizes, calms, and stimulates in the same ways.
Mirrors are useful when doing precise exercises like yoga – they also help improve small spaces and reflect light.
It’s also worth adding a few individual touches, something that makes the space your own, like beautiful artwork, motivational messages, or captivating photography.
Air purifying house plants… will freshen the air and look great.
What is the best home gym paint color
The best home gym color should be one that you really love, that will inspire you to be in the room, and that you will feel motivated to. If you’re looking to color psychology for the best home gym color, consider muted blue and green — a choice of spirited, fresh colors known to increase focus and productivity.
(Image credit: Technogym)
Are home gyms worth it?
If you can create a space for it, you should really think about it – a home gym is an asset, actively promoting fitness and positivity in your life. There are many areas in our homes that are underutilized; Bedrooms, dorm rooms, basements and attics are full of clutter, outbuildings and garages sitting empty.
How much does a home gym cost?
The cost of building and setting up a home gym varies greatly in price depending on the amount of equipment, quality of finishes and the level of acoustics you choose. If you are looking for a professional-looking setup, we recommend contacting the experts.
Motive8’s home gym solutions start at around $13,500 (£10,000). They also charge just $225 (£300) for an on-site home consultation (100% fully refundable if requested). For this money, they will produce 2D/3D/CAD drawings, provide you with equipment recommendations and a complete design proposal.
(photo credit: motive8)
What are the benefits of a home gym?
If you are body conscious and do not have the confidence to hit the gym, the solution is a home gym. You can get the results you want without leaving home.
“Many people get better results training at home,” says Julia Buckley, a fitness trainer and author of The fat burning revolution And Treated me. “In the time it takes to pack your bag, travel to the gym, bypass the turnstiles, find a locker and access the equipment you want, you can do a complete workout at home.”
You don’t need any equipment to get started, but when you get into it you can invest in dumbbells and a gym ball. The key is to move.
“It’s all about diversity,” Julia says. “Variations of exercises such as squats, lunges, deadlifts, pushups, push-ups, pull-ups and jumping motions are great ways to burn fat.”
Work on your fitness level and always consult your doctor before you begin.