Working It Out: 5 Tips For Creating The Perfect Home Gym

Let's face it, after a long day of working or taking care of your kids, dragging yourself to the gym isn't easy. If you want to improve your health and wellness, consider adding a home gym to your list of home improvement projects.

Before you start this project, you might wonder whether you have enough space in your house and your bank account. Luckily, with a bit of creativity, you can create a home gym that will fit almost any space and budget. These five simple tips will help you get started.

1. Find the Perfect Space
   Where you'll put your home gym depends a lot on the size and layout of your house. Some of the most popular locations include a spare bedroom, garage, basement, office, porch, or patio. Don't be afraid to get creative. If you don't have an entire extra space to dedicate, try portioning off a small area of your living room or bedroom.
2. Set Your Budget
   Before starting any home improvement project, it's critical to set a realistic budget. You can save a ton of money by purchasing equipment and machines second-hand. Always check out Craig's list, local swap pages, and area yard sales before you pay full price from a retailer. You can often find like-new fitness items for a fraction of the cost.
3. Stick with the Basics
   It's easy to get excited and start looking for all of the latest fitness equipment, but it's a lot smarter to just stick with the basics. Especially in the beginning, you'll want to only purchase items you're sure you will use. This typically includes a good set of dumbbells and items like a yoga mat, resistance bands, and a stability ball.
4. Focus on You
   Don't get too caught up in what you think your home gym "should" have. Instead, focus on creating a space that meets your needs. If you hate running or don't want to lift weights, then skip the treadmill or the dumbbells. The most important thing is that your gym is a space where you'll want to spend your time. As your fitness levels change, your preferences might change as well. Stay flexible and willing to update your space as you evolve.
5. Design Your Digs
   If you've designated a separate room for working out, consider adding some personal touches. A light and airy paint color, good lighting, and inspirational wall decor will help make your gym a pleasant place to be.

When incorporating your home gym into another living space, you'll want to keep it from getting too cluttered. Consider purchasing furniture that doubles as storage space and adding shelving to hold items like dumbbells and yoga mats. If you're going to purchase larger equipment like a treadmill or workout bench, look for pieces that fold for easy storage so you can get them out of the way when not in use.

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