Creating the Perfect Home Gym
Does anyone else dislike going to the gym? All that pressure, and even just the thought of having to get there can be off putting… not that any of us can get out to the gym right now of course, even if we wanted to, due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
But have you ever thought about creating your own home gym? It might be easier than you think…
Home Gym Serenity (Getty Images) Ok so we might not all be able to create something like this stupendously idealistic set-up… but there’s likely to be something you can do that could actually SAVE you money in the long run. Some gym memberships can be north of £90 per person, per month, so by investing in some key pieces at home could really help you get beach-body ready, without even having to leave the house.
Plus, if it means not having to use the sometimes questionably hygienic communal showers and changing rooms, it definitely gets my vote!
A home gym also makes it so much easier to find time to work out, so you can work up a sweat whenever the need takes you – whether it’s 11 o’clock at night or at the crack of dawn. And with the added benefit of not having Muscle Marys scrutinising your Clean and Press technique, it’s win-win all round!
So where to start?
The most sensible option, where possible, is to have your home gym on the ground floor. If you’re considering having heavy gym equipment, it’ll be a lot easier to get it to a ground floor location rather than having to lug it upstairs! Of course, if you were to have the gym upstairs you may need to consider reinforcing the upper story and possibly adding soundproofing because treadmills and rowing machines will be very noisy for the room below. However, you can find special, sound insulating plasterboard, or try adding insulation between walls, floors and ceilings to decrease sound transfer. If you plan to use your gym early in the morning or late at night you might just want to ensure it’s away from any family member’s bedrooms!
Some lucky people may have a space that’s just perfect for setting up a home gym. It might be the garage that is currently just being used as a dumping ground, or spare room that you could put to better use with the addition of a few bits of kit.
You could even think about converting an unused basement, like this stunning design from Eisner Design, where they have cleverly turned a dark basement into a sun-drenched space that both kids and adults can enjoy. The adults can get their cardio fix while still keeping an eye on the kids! We love the playful colours and open plan use of space – using glass to separate the gym from the play area. Gym equipment can be dangerous, therefore it’s best to keep it a kid free zone!
Some people may choose to suspend equipment from walls or ceilings, such as storage or punch bags. If you don’t have solid block walls, you will have to reinforce the walls and secure heavy items to the studs. Check out this awesome cross-fit garage gym from John Kraemer and Sons. We love the utilitarian approach – designed to be practical and functional.
Of course, you may choose to go down an entirely different route if you prefer Pilates, yoga or dance. How about taking all the stored items out of your attic and turning it into a calming sanctuary for these workouts. This is perfect if you don’t want to invest in expensive equipment, and an empty loft space is perfect because you can create a quiet, private space that is away from other distractions in the house.
Tip: If you have skylights, try adding a row of mirrors to amplify natural sunlight to make your space feel light and airy. Actually, mirrors are really important for checking your form is good while performing a lot of exercises. Injury can occur if you lift weights incorrectly, so a mirror is essential for keeping your positioning in check.
Tranquil Loft Space The flooring in your gym space is also important. You want to choose a flooring product that you won’t slip on when exercising and will be able to withstand the wear and tear of weights and equipment.
Carpet is a bad choice because it is hard to keep clean and you will want to avoid porcelain, stone or ceramic tiles that will crack if you drop weights on them. Tiles can also be slippery. The best choice is to look for specialist shock absorbent gym flooring – usually made from rubber. There are some great wood shock abosrbent flooring options, check out Junckers.
We love this rustic style by Cedar Hill Homes where the brick walls and exposed beams create a tranquil rustic feel. Cleverly, vibration mats have been placed under the exercise equipment to protect the wood floor.
Rustic Cool 
If you’ve got a large outdoor space but not enough square footage in the house for a gym, you could consider installing an accessory dwelling. This will give you a whole heap of extra room for your conditioning equipment. This compact structure by Bakers Timber Buildings packs in many of the amenities found at top-notch gyms and can double as a home office. Perfect for lock-down life! Feel free to click here to learn more about the makers of this Garden Building by Bakers Gardens Buikdings.
Adding a few appliances can make a home gym more enjoyable too. A small drinks fridge, sound system, and wall-mounted flat screen make working out more of a pleasure and less of a chore. Additionally, fans directed at the cardio machines help to keep the space comfortable.
If you don’t have a dedicated room, there’s still plenty of opportunity to create your very own workout space. You might have a small space in a home office or bedroom which you can still use. Keep your workout gear organized, hang some shelves or get a small storage unit like this from Ikea.
Or if you’re looking for something a bit different how about recreating your very own climbing wall like this one from Andy and Kitt Ratford at their home in Newcastle!
The Times If you need any help or advice we are ready and waiting with your answers. Just give us a call on 01442 818122, email us or pop in to the showroom which will be open from Monday 15th June!
22nd September, 2025
14th March, 2025
