How To Set Up Your Home Gym or Workout Space
Working out at home can be convenient, safe, and fun — but only if your space is set up right. Otherwise, it can be a total disaster. In this blog post, we’ll go over what to do (and not do) when you’re setting up a home gym or workout space.
It's not about the equipment, but also it totally is.
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. By clicking on the affiliate links in this post, not only do you get to find great products at no extra cost, but you also support my blog, as I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links.
Workout Equipment
Although you can get a great workout with just your bodyweight, having a few pieces of equipment can make things even better by giving you more options. A few classics are:
Some people like larger things like treadmills, ellipticals, rowers and exercise bikes. If you have room for them, that’s great. If not, you can still have a great setup for home workouts with limited space.
For more ideas about how to outfit your workout space, check out the blog post Home Workout Must-Haves: Essential Amazon Finds for Fitness Enthusiasts.
Setup: Safety First
When setting up your workout space, follow the three-foot rule — be sure you have at least 36 inches clearance on all sides of you. Following this principle can minimize risk of injury from falls and make for an enjoyable and safe workout. Keep your equipment tidy and your workout space uncluttered. When everything has a home, things are safer, and you are much more likely to feel focused and energized for your workouts.
Free of Distractions
One of the main reasons that people can find it challenging to work out at home is they find themselves getting sucked into other tasks during their workout time.
Find a spot in your living space that can be just for fitness (even if it’s just during your workout).
Unplug from work. Silence notifications on your phone or computer and remind yourself that this time is just for you.
Set boundaries with the people you live with so that they don’t become a distraction for you.
Everything Else
Once you have your equipment and workout space figured out, you can focus on your workouts. One way to get more out of your workouts is to follow a periodized training program, which can “trick” your body into making faster adaptations to your exercise, leading to better results in less time.
Be sure to hydrate effectively and use electrolytes around the time of your workout, especially if it is longer than 60 minutes. Since w lose water and minerals in our sweat, it is important to replenish!
No exercise program can be effective without good nutrition habits. Make sure you are following these 12 essential nutrition habits for optimal nutrition.