10 Elements of an Inspiring Home Gym
Give yourself an incentive to exercise regularly by creating a workout zone that will get you moving at home
It’s not so much the size of your workout area that matters — whether you have a corner devoted to yoga or an entire home gym. Finding the motivation to use your workout space is often the hardest part. Here are 10 elements to give your workout space (and you) a jolt of inspiration.
2. Nonslip Floors
Proper flooring can help prevent injuries, and an attractive and comfortable floor will make your workout space more inviting. Floors can be left bare, but if you want a softer area for floor exercises, be sure to use a nonslip material, such as interlocking foam tiles or carpet tiles.
Proper flooring can help prevent injuries, and an attractive and comfortable floor will make your workout space more inviting. Floors can be left bare, but if you want a softer area for floor exercises, be sure to use a nonslip material, such as interlocking foam tiles or carpet tiles.
3. Neat Gear Storage
Avoid the pileup of weights and props by including shelving in your workout zone. Use sturdy baskets to contain smaller items.
Find shelving units
Avoid the pileup of weights and props by including shelving in your workout zone. Use sturdy baskets to contain smaller items.
Find shelving units
4. TV, or a Tablet and Stand
Whether you use instructional videos to guide your home workouts or just want to watch a show while doing cardio, having a TV in a home gym is a big draw. If a full-size TV just won’t work in your workout zone, a stand for your tablet can get the job done.
Browse exercise machines
Whether you use instructional videos to guide your home workouts or just want to watch a show while doing cardio, having a TV in a home gym is a big draw. If a full-size TV just won’t work in your workout zone, a stand for your tablet can get the job done.
Browse exercise machines
5. Music
Not so into TV? Crank up the tunes instead with a compact stereo or a wireless speaker that works with your phone. Boost motivation by taking the time to make playlists in advance that will suit the pace of your workout.
Not so into TV? Crank up the tunes instead with a compact stereo or a wireless speaker that works with your phone. Boost motivation by taking the time to make playlists in advance that will suit the pace of your workout.
6. Low Table
Make it easier to reach for your water or adjust the music when doing yoga or mat exercises by including a low table in your workout space. If you meditate, this is also a good place to put a candle, an inspiring picture or a chime.
Find yoga and exercise mats
Make it easier to reach for your water or adjust the music when doing yoga or mat exercises by including a low table in your workout space. If you meditate, this is also a good place to put a candle, an inspiring picture or a chime.
Find yoga and exercise mats
7. Refreshing Water
One benefit of working out at home is that you don’t need to stick with plain bottled water. Experiment in the kitchen with refreshing additions like lemon or lime slices, fresh sprigs of mint or berries. Keep a carafe of water chilled in the fridge and grab it on your way to the workout room.
One benefit of working out at home is that you don’t need to stick with plain bottled water. Experiment in the kitchen with refreshing additions like lemon or lime slices, fresh sprigs of mint or berries. Keep a carafe of water chilled in the fridge and grab it on your way to the workout room.
8. Inspiring Art
Personalize your workout area with art that speaks to you. An oversize photograph makes a stunning focal point in a home gym; the bigger the better! For a budget option, have one of your own vacation photos blown up to poster size and pop it into an inexpensive frame.
Browse art photography on Houzz
Personalize your workout area with art that speaks to you. An oversize photograph makes a stunning focal point in a home gym; the bigger the better! For a budget option, have one of your own vacation photos blown up to poster size and pop it into an inexpensive frame.
Browse art photography on Houzz
9. Rolled White Towels
There is something so motivating about a stack of neatly rolled, fresh white towels. Line them up on a shelf or nestle them in a basket — either way, they’ll make an attractive and useful addition to your workout space.
Replenish your stock of white bath towels
There is something so motivating about a stack of neatly rolled, fresh white towels. Line them up on a shelf or nestle them in a basket — either way, they’ll make an attractive and useful addition to your workout space.
Replenish your stock of white bath towels
10. Cool-Down Comforts
Having a soft throw close at hand is a nice touch, especially in winter, when your room may be on the cool side. A bench makes a nice spot for resting and recovering at the end of a workout.
Shop for a cozy throw blanket
Having a soft throw close at hand is a nice touch, especially in winter, when your room may be on the cool side. A bench makes a nice spot for resting and recovering at the end of a workout.
Shop for a cozy throw blanket
Tell us: Do you have a workout zone at home? What are your home gym essentials? Share a picture and your tips in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more about home gym design
Find a pro to help create your home gym
Shop for home gym equipment
More on Houzz
Read more about home gym design
Find a pro to help create your home gym
Shop for home gym equipment
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Mirrors are helpful for checking proper form when lifting weights or doing yoga, and can boost light in a space with few windows.
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