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. When someone is new to home workouts, it can be overwhelming. What equipment should I get? Where do I put it? What else do I need?
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.
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Workout Space: Safety First
When setting up your workout space, follow the three-foot rule — be sure you have at least 36 inches of clearance on all sides of you.
Following this principle can minimize the 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.
Workout Gear: Get the Right Equipment
Exercise bands: the most versatile (and compact) gym 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.
Focus Time: 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.
Comfort & Convenience
Workout upgrade: get a nice water bottle for your workouts!
In addition to keeping distractions low, you’ll want to do things like keeping water, towels, and first aid supplies handy. You’ll also want to think about where everything lives. Here’s a short list of things that will make your workout space cozier and safer.
Water bottle or water cooler: you’ll want easy access to hydration while you work out. Using your rest periods to replenish the water you sweat out is a good idea, if you ask me. Check out this super popular Owala stainless water bottle if you feel like treating yourself. If you’re setting up a boujee home gym situation, check out this slick water dispenser!
Sweat towels: until you are covered in sweat, the idea of a sweat towel can seem a little silly. These cotton gym towels are a great addition to your workout area.
Ice packs: Having an ice pack available is a practical way to deal with the unexpected. Almost everything carries an injury risk, and exercise is no exception. But being prepared makes all the difference. Check out these gel ice packs for the freezer and these instant ice packs for when you’re on the move.
Compression bandages: In the unlikely event of a workout injury, immobilization and compression can make a huge difference. Check out these bandages for your first aid kit.
Everything Else
It's not about the equipment, but also it totally is.
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.