. Choose a space to suit your workouts
There are three key points to consider when selecting a suitable area for your workouts:
How much space do you have?
Ideally, you will have a dedicated workout area. If that’s not realistic for you, choose an area that has enough room for you to work out — you can still do effective workouts in small spaces.
This might mean your home study or your living room doubles as a home gym, or a spare room in your house that’s not currently in use.
How much space do you need?
Consider the types of workouts you will be doing before choosing your space. For example, strength training at home requires equipment so you’re going to need a lot more space compared to HIIT cardio.
Do you feel comfortable in your space?
Whether you have a dedicated room for your gym, or you work out in your living room, make sure you feel good in that space so you’ll be motivated to work out.
2. Choose home gym equipment to get started
The next step is to determine what home gym equipment you will need. This will depend on the type of workout, or if you will be combining different training styles.
Home gym equipment for cardio
For cardio workouts, there are several pieces of equipment you can choose to help maximise your workouts. These include:
Yoga or fitness mat
Asoft mat will help protect your joints during high-impact cardio exercises. Depending on the type you choose, avoid placing your feet on the mat when performing exercises like mountain climbers which can cause peeling or flaking of your mat.
Skipping rope
A skipping rope is a cardio staple for HIIT workouts or can be used during a dynamic warm-up routine.
Ankle weights
Ankle weights are a great addition to cardio-based exercises, adding resistance for an extra challenge.
Resistance bands
Resistance band exercises help build overall strength and stamina in your cardio workouts.
Home gym equipment for strength training
For strength training, you’ll need free weights to get the most out of your workouts:
Dumbbells
Dumbbells add weight and resistance to exercises, making them an incredibly versatile addition to your home gym. If you don’t have access to dumbbells, you can always substitute with safe household items of similar weight like cans of food or bottles of water.
Kettlebells
Kettlebells are great for making lower body exercises more challenging.
Barbell and rack
A barbell and rack require a lot more space than dumbbells or kettlebells, but if you have access to a garage or larger space, it can help you progress your strength training to using heavier weights.
Fitball
Fitballs are a lightweight core-training tool.
Bench
A bench is versatile and useful for strength training exercises like the bench press, bodyweight strength exercises like tricep dips or cardio-based movement like bench jumps.
Home gym equipment for recovery
Incorporating these tools into your post-workout recovery can help enhance your stretch sessions:
Yoga mat
A yoga mat will help to support your knees and joints and soften any hard flooring.
Foam roller
A foam roller is an effective recovery tool for stretching out your muscles and reducing muscle soreness.
Trigger point ball
Trigger point balls target specific muscle points, allowing you to roll out any tense knots or tight areas in recovery sessions.
3. Set up your space
Once you know which equipment you will need, you can set up your space. Having your space ready in advance means you’ll be less likely to skip your workout.
Get a full-length mirror
If you have space, consider installing a full-length mirror. This can help you monitor your form, and ensure you’re performing exercises correctly. A mirror will also add more dimension and light to a small room, making it feel more spacious.
Organise your space
Make sure your space is clutter-free so that you have plenty of room to work out. The more comfortable you are, the more likely you’ll be motivated to train.
This might mean adding in additional storage for your gym equipment or reorganising an existing space.
Store your equipment
If you’re only using small weights and a yoga mat, a storage cupboard can be a sufficient storage option. If you have larger items like a barbell and rack, you will need to find a permanent location for them in your home gym.
Having dedicated storage space for your equipment means you’ll spend less time looking for missing pieces of equipment and more time on your workouts.
Create an inspiring environment
You’ll never want to leave your home gym if it inspires and motivates you to work out. You might decorate your space with motivational quotes or inspiring posters, colour-coordinate your home gym equipment, or install speakers to play your favourite workout playlists.
4. Keep your space clean and safe
A clean and safe environment will ensure no accidents or injuries occur and keep your space and equipment in good condition. Here are some ways to keep your gym pristine:
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Have spray or wipes on hand to clean down any equipment after use
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Wipe down your equipment and clean the space thoroughly after use
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Always put equipment away safely and securely after use. Don’t leave any equipment lying around that could be hazardous.
