What keeps most Americans from exercising, besides the sweat? According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one of the top reasons people cite for being sedentary is feeling embarassed or intimidated in a health club setting. Another reason often given is lack of time to drive to and from a health club or gym. To help reduce these excuses, and maybe even a waist size, a home gym can offer a positive alternative.
A home gym can be tucked into a spare room, a sunroom, loft or even a garage. While even a small space can be adequate, ceiling height is critical. Who wants to dead lift a barbell into a ceiling fixture? To keep the room in tact, a minimum seven foot clearance is recommended.
Similarly, no one wants to stair-step in the dark, so adequate lighting in the exercise space is necessary. Track or spot lights can give a room a warm glow and direct light where it is needed. If possible, the space should be temperature controlled to allow for year round exercising. A window or windows can help with both temperature control and ventilation.
What about the floor? A set of small hand weights and an exercise ball won't require additional floor stabilization. Large pieces of equipment located on a suspended floor might need to be strengthened. A structural engineer or other professional can make that call. Flooring choice will depend on the location of the home gym as well as the type of equipment that will be in use. The floor should be easy to clean and durable. Some materials that work well include vinyl, wood or rubber surfaces. Mats can be put down and taken up, depending on the workout requirements.
Is a mirrored wall a must or only necessary for hard core body builders? In reality, mirrors are not frivolous, but are functional in a home gym. They not only reflect available light, making the space appear larger and brighter, but allow for checking and correcting form.
There is a vast array of exercise apparatus to choose from, and with the holidays approaching, exercise equipment or accessories can make great gifts. Bargain hunters can find gently used equipment in specialty retail shops that offer nothing but fitness equipment. These stores offer dumbells and hand weights, workout benches, cardio equipment such a bicycles, treadmills, elliptical machines and more.
If heavy equipment is placed on a semi-porous surface (wood or vinyl), the floor should be protected from sweat and grease from the machines. Also remember that the machines need cleaning and maintenance. If a ceiling is properly reinforced and sufficiently high, a climbing rope can provide a low cost cardio and strength training workout.
To get the whole family involved, kid friendly climbing and hanging equipment (such as a gymnast bar) can be included. But be sure that the area can be secured to keep young children out of the gym when there is no adult supervision.
Want to know how to make friends and cut costs? Create a co-op gym and be sure to stock it with water, energy drinks, music and a TV!
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