Getting in a good workout is a must for many of us – it’s not only a way to relax and reduce stress, but it usually leaves you energized for the whole day and improves general health.
However, going to the gym can sometimes seem like a chore – not only do you have to leave home and go someplace, but you also have to deal with the annoying music, crowded areas with sweaty people and lines at the exercise machines.
The good news is, all this can be avoided if you set up a gym at home – it’s much easier than you think and although it requires an initial investment, it isn’t too big and will pay off handsomely after you don’t have to pay for a gym membership.
However, there are things to consider when setting up a home gym, otherwise you might end up spending much more than you really needed and have a gym that’s simply uncomfortable.
 |
| Our Mini Gym at Home |
1. Buying Equipment without Proper Planning
When you decide which room in your house will become your personal training station, the first thing you must do is make all the proper measurements and plan ahead where will you place all the equipment.
This starts out with you getting measurements of the room, thinking about what equipment you’ll be getting and measuring space for it to fir in.
Remember to take into consideration that even if the equipment fits by itself, you’ll need to have comfortable range of motion when using it, so plan for that as well.
2. Not Doing Proper Market Research
Even though you probably can find the simpler things like barbells, weights and dumbbells pretty easily, there are things that you need to look at carefully before making a purchase.
Cardio machines or cable machines greatly vary in price, and for good reason – you really shouldn’t buy the cheapest models, because they are usually made out of cheaper materials and will end up breaking when used extensively.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t go and shop for gym equipment online and find the best prices available, but you should still understand that materials do matter, especially in machines that are exposed to high levels of stress during use.
3. Buying Equipment that You Don't Need
It's common to want to fill your home gym as much as possible - after all, when you're setting it up, you're thinking that you'll be using everything. The truth is that you don't need all that unnecessary faddy gym equipment.
Stick with the basics - barbell, weights, dumbbells, a rack and a bench.
Of course, you might need more things depending on your personal preferences, but be sure that whatever you get you'll be using in your workout routine, otherwise it'll just be taking up space.
Also, don't fall for the always advertised all-in-one multi exercise machines. These rarely, if ever, deliver what they promise and end up costing you a fortune and never really showing results for it.
4. Not Considering Appropriate Flooring
Remember that you don't go to the gym to read, you go there to have an intense workout, so you're probably going to sweat quite a lot.
That's why it might be a good idea to set up appropriate flooring - consider that you'll have to wash the floors often, so a carpet is probably not the best option, as well as tiles.
A good choice is getting rubber flooring - it's easy to wash and will be easy to maintain.
Additionally, consider that accidents do occur, so if you ever accidentally drop a barbell, a tile floor would probably be permanently damaged, while a rubberized floor can cushion the fall.
5. Not Making the Gym Comfortable
When setting up a home gym, sometimes people are overwhelmed by the equipment and spacing issues and forget about perhaps the most important aspect - you'll be spending your time sweating through grueling workouts and you'll need all the motivation you can get.
So you have to think not only about the equipment, but also about the look, the feel and the atmosphere of the home gym.
That means that setting up a stereo for music is essential to pumping you up during the workouts, as well as having the look and feel of the gym constantly motivating you to push yourself further - whether with posters or pictures, you'll need that nudge when you're trying to finish that last rep.
Also, remember to place a mirror so you can see yourself while working out - not only will this help with motivation and tracking progress, but it's also very important when keeping an eye on your form, so you perform the exercises properly.
A home gym, when set up properly, can become the place you can leave all your everyday worries and focus on yourself – a place that you can set up anyway you like, to suit your personal needs.
Consider these simple tips and avoid the mistakes that could turn out costly. A home gym is a special place for any man and it must be prepared properly - if you’re setting one up, you better do it the right way.
Michelle Forsyth is a self-employed writer and blogger with a BA from Melbourne University. When Michelle is not writing or blogging she spends time with her two kids and spends time shopping online. Her favorite website to score some good deals is OO.com.au!
I have never thought that I would love yoga as much as I do now. Yoga is a safe non-aerobic form of exercise which involves forms of breathing and meditation techniques. It is a form of relaxation that helps you develop your flexibility, strength, and balance. I am now 40 and flexibility is a bit harder but through yoga, I am getting it back. 
