For those of us who enjoy a more stylish home environment, the idea of turning our living room into a makeshift gym can be pretty unappealing. However, with a little creativity, it is possible to create a functional workout space without sacrificing style.
If you’ve been struggling to get a workout in at home without ruining your home decor, hitting your couch, or scratching your floors then these tips are for you.
Choose the right type of equipment
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have a lot of extra space in your home for workout equipment. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a great workout in! There are plenty of workout options that won’t take up a lot of room and won’t clash with your home decor.
One option is to invest in workout DVDs or, even better, turn to YouTube for free exercise routines. This is a great way to get a workout in without having to worry about fitness equipment taking up space.
However, if you have a little bit of space, you could invest in some small workout equipment. Resistance bands are a great option because they’re small and inexpensive. You could also get a small set of dumbbells or a flat treadmill that can be hidden under the couch.
So don’t let a lack of space stop you from getting a great workout in! There are plenty of workout options that won’t take up a lot of room and won’t clash with your home decor.
Find a designated space in the room
When it comes to working out at home, one of the most important things is to find the right spot. Ideally, you want a space that is large enough to accommodate all of your equipment and that has plenty of ventilation. If you can, you should set up a whole room as your designated home gym.
However, if you don’t have access to an extra room or outdoor space, all you really need is a small corner in your living room. With a little creativity, you can turn this limited space into a thriving workout zone.
The first thing you need to do is figure out how much space you’ll need. And that all depends on what kind of workout you’re planning on doing. For heavy aerobics or Zumba, you’ll need quite a lot of room. But if you’re planning on working out on a folding exercise bike, all you need is enough space to fit it in.
So before you start shopping for workout equipment, make sure you know how much space you have to work with. Otherwise, you might end up with a lot of unused equipment – or worse, not enough space to actually do your workout!
Use a workout mat to protect your flooring
Working out at home might be fun, but it can also be hard on your floors. Without some kind of protection, your flooring can suffer from scratches, scuffs, and other damage.
One way to protect your floors is to use a workout mat. A mat helps to absorb impact, reduce noise, and protect you or your exercise equipment from slipping. It also provides a stable surface for doing exercises that require balance or traction. In addition, mats can help to protect your floor from sweat and other moisture.
Finally, with the amount of beautifully designed workout mats on the market, you can pick one that complements your living room’s color scheme. In general, making sure your exercise equipment matches your interior decor is one of the easiest ways to up the luxury factor of your makeshift home gym.
Optional: Place mirrors around the workout area to help with form and correct any mistakes
If you’re looking for a workout partner that will always be available, never complain, and is great at giving feedback, then you need to invest in a mirror.
Mirrors are not only helpful for checking your form, but they can also make a room look bigger. That’s right – mirrors are one of the oldest tricks in the design world for making a space appear larger than it actually is.
So you can not only add more “room” to your interior decor but a mirror can actually help you offset the presence of bulky exercise equipment.
Add some personal touches, like photos or plants, to make the space feel more like your own
A mini home gym is a great way to get in shape, but it can also be an eyesore. If you dread looking at your workout equipment and feeling uninspired, there are a few simple ways to spruce up the space.
Adding some plants and motivational posters can help create a more pleasant environment, while beautiful organizers can keep the space neat without sacrificing style. With a few simple changes, you can transform your home gym into a place you actually look forward to working out in.
Speaking of organizers.
Make sure to keep the area clean and organized after each workout session
If your home gym looks more like a disaster zone than a place of Zen, it might be time to reevaluate your post-workout routine.
One of the key components of any successful workout is the cooldown, and that includes taking a few minutes to tidy up. Make sure all of the equipment you’ve used is and put away properly — dumbbells in the stand, yoga mat rolled up and stored in the closet, etc.
If you don’t have designated storage space for your fitness equipment, invest in some fitness equipment organizers. They might seem like a luxury at first, but they’ll quickly become your new best friend that keeps your living space looking neat and tidy.
Wipe down all equipment after each use to keep it clean and free of bacteria
There’s nothing quite like working out in the comfort of your own home – no commute, no crowds, and no need to worry about what you’re wearing. But one downside of having a home gym is that it’s all too easy to let things get a bit…stinky. After all, who wants to spend time cleaning when you could be taking that sweet sweet post-workout shower?
However, taking a few minutes to wipe down your equipment after each use is important for both aesthetic and health reasons. Sticky and grimy fitness equipment can really throw off the look of the space. By removing sweat and bacteria, you’ll keep your little home gym corner looking and smelling fresh, maintaining the visual balance in the room.
