We all know that getting consistent exercise is good for us, and anyone could readily tell you the numerous benefits of working out. From building a taut, firm body to getting glowing skin, working out regularly is one of the best things you can do for yourself. However, trying to find the time to drive down to your local gym can be a serious challenge, and that doesn’t even begin to include the expensive membership fees that typically follow.
If you’re looking to build good fitness habits — but you’re not interested in taking the annoying trek to the gym or the risk of feeling like you’re being judged while exercising — there are a few ways you can do this at home. All you need is a spare room that you can convert into a home fitness room, and you can become a bonafide (home) gym bunny in no time… and you won’t even need to break the bank in order to do it!
Find an Exercise You Love
First and foremost, if you’re going to turn your extra room into a home gym, you need to make sure you’re choosing the right exercise for yourself and your lifestyle. For instance, if you hate cardio, why invest in a treadmill when dumbbells are more your style? Before you start making any major renovations, though, and before you begin searching for carpentry contractors near me, you first need to choose the best exercise for your goals. In turn, you’ll enjoy your workouts more and will be more likely to stick with it.
Get the Right Flooring
That old shag carpet may have served its purpose when you were using your spare room to entertain houseguests, but now it’s not only dated, but it’s also the worst possible type of flooring for a home gym. Not only can it trap nasty, smelly bacteria, but it can also make it harder to use correct form when working out. Instead, you’ll want to either get vinyl, tile, hardwood, or another similar type of durable flooring material. If that’s not possible, then a workout mat can also work in a pinch.
Pipe in the Tunes
There are very few things more tedious than trying to work out in absolute silence. While that may work for some people, most of us can readily admit that we need some high-energy music to help motivate us and keep us invigorated when exercising. You don’t need to spring for a fancy sound system for your home gym, either. Some basic speakers will work just fine, or if you prefer, sweat-resistant Bluetooth earbuds to help you keep your stamina up.
Spring for Some Full-Length Mirrors
Many of us try to avoid full-length mirrors, as we may not like what we see when we take a look into one. However, if you want to get into the best shape possible while, then you do need to get at least one full-length mirror for your home gym. This isn’t just for vanity reasons, either; improper form can be absolutely dangerous when working out, leading to serious injuries at worst and an inadequate workout at best. Rather than take that risk, it’s far better to mount a full-length mirror on the wall in your home gym.
Get Fresh Air Circulating
Sweating can oftentimes be the sign of a good workout, but there’s no need to overheat yourself when exercising in your home gym. The last thing you want to do is suffer from a heat-related injury while working out. Not only will a hot and stuffy workout room be entirely unpleasant, but it can also increase your chances of suffering from heat exhaustion while exercising. Instead, open some windows to invite in some fresh air, and set up a few fans to help keep that cooler air circulating while exercising.
No doubt, getting regular exercise can be one of the best things you could do for yourself. Not only does it come with incredible health benefits, but it can also help boost your confidence and your overall physical fitness, as well. Fortunately, converting your spare room into a home gym is a fairly simple and stress-free way to help you get (and stay!) in shape. And by following these five tips, you can finally get the chiseled physique you always wanted — without even needing to leave your home in the first place!
