Making room in your home for a dedicated exercise space

Home Gym
Home Gym

We know the benefits of regular and targeted exercise. For many of us though, this commitment around work and home life can become burdensome, particularly for those who have to travel to their gym, or have to fit an exercise schedule around the family routine.

Home gyms, for these and other reasons, are becoming increasingly popular. Home gyms can be tailored to suit your individual training preferences in terms of equipment and they’re ideal for those who prefer privacy or want to use a personal trainer, rather than train in a public gym. Other benefits to having your own space include not having to wait for a free machine, being able to travel to the gym whatever the weather, and having the luxury to choose the music!

When creating a dedicated exercise space, there are a number of things to consider. The first question is obvious: where will you put your home gym? If you’re lucky enough to have a spare room in the house, you may have your answer already but do make sure that you have it properly checked to ensure the floor is strong enough to bear the weight of your kit and strengthen it if necessary. It is also important to think about noise levels; if your exercise could disturb young children, for example, then a gym outside the main house may be preferable.

One such option is to have a gym built in your garden. This can be designed to fit exactly in the space you have available, and to a size that suits you and your needs. Modern garden buildings such as these can be insulated and ventilated to a high standard, and mean year-round use for maximum gain. They seldom need planning permission and can be erected quickly and economically. They can also be kitted out with showers, and with mains electric to power equipment, lights, and drinks coolers. The beauty of building your gym from scratch in this way is that you can decide on the exact configuration of the space, from the main exercise area, to changing rooms and storage for your weights, mats and towels.

If you have a garage or other outbuilding, converting it may be another option and a local builder can very easily estimate the cost and timescales involved. If the potential loss of parking space is a bone of contention between you and a partner, you may be lucky enough to be able to divide the space if your garage is large enough. You’ll probably need at least 3x4m to give you room for essential equipment and enable you to stretch properly. Don’t forget too that it’s not just floor space but height clearance that you need to take into account. How much you need will depend on your own height and exercise regime, but you’re likely to want to lift weights and jump freely, and need enough headroom when you’re on the equipment so a low-ceilinged space is probably not going to be suitable. If at all possible, trial the equipment in the room to make sure the space will meet your needs before you commit to the expense of conversion.

Speaking of expense, what’s the bottom line? Making room in your home for a dedicated exercise space could be done for £5,000 or less. When you bear in mind that this outlay can be offset against gym fees and travel expenses, and that the conversion or building work could add value to your home, a home gym becomes a viable option for any serious fitness enthusiast, and no longer a luxury reserved for the rich and famous.

I would like to place on record my thanks to Cheryl Luzet, of Green Studios for providing this detailed and concise article - authored by Steve Warr - and the supporting images. You can find out more about the products from the Green Studios on the following link: http://www.green-studios.com/our-garden-buildings/

Live life in the active lane, 

Matt

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