Every fitness enthusiast dreams of having their own gym. Whether it’s in your home, office, or commercial space, building a gym is not an easy feat. They usually cost a lot of money, effort, and timel but here are some useful steps and ways to build your own gym at home or office and kickstart your fitness journey.
Planning the Space
The first step is to look for and arrange an empty space that is wide enough to accommodate your gym equipment and provides enough room to exercise. Begin by finding an open space such as an unused room, your garage, or your storage area. If the space is equipped with furniture or other stuff, shift it to another space to make room for your gym equipment. Irrespective of the type of space you choose, it should be temperature-controlled and damp-proof to feel comfortable when working out.
You should also consider the type of flooring of the interior space as it should be strong enough to withstand the weight of the equipment. Moreover, the noise shouldn’t disturb your neighbors downstairs, which is why you should replace the existing flooring with one that easily absorbs noise. Horse stall mats and rubber mats are two affordable alternatives.
Buying Equipment
The type of equipment you invest in and install in your gym will define its character and effectiveness. Consider this list of the bare minimum, essential strength training and exercising equipment that is needed to build a gym at home.
- Plyometrics Box: This equipment is used for performing box jumps and high-intensity interval training.
- Dumbbells: The best way to build strength and muscle mass is by lifting weights, which can be effectively achieved with the help of dumbbells. This makes it a requisite in every gym.
- Kettlebells: Kettlebells are a simpler yet more dynamic alternative to dumbbells and are used for strength training. A single set of kettlebells with varying weights can be used for years.
- Yoga Mat: Yoga mats are used to perform low intensity, floor, and cooling exercises, thereby making them a necessity in this list.
- Skipping Ropes: This is a requisite for trainers who want to incorporate cardio in their daily workout regime but do not have enough space to accommodate heavier equipment. Skipping ropes are versatile training equipment as they can be used for both high-intensity interval training and long endurance workouts.
- Bench: You just need to get one sturdy, adjustable, and multi-functional bench to practice strength training.
- Barbells: Your gym will be incomplete without a set of barbells. These are mostly used to train your upper body but often used to perform squats to tone your lower body as well.
- Resistance Bands: Resistance bands are used for strength training and take up little space in a big area. This is also a great alternative for those who are unable to train using weights.
- Medicine Ball: This soft ball is used as an alternative for barbells and popularly used among trainers who wish to improve their posture while building strength.
- Pull Up Bar: This cheap piece of equipment is typically used to perform chin-ups and build upper body strength.
- Treadmill: You will also need a tool to perform cardio. While running outside is highly recommended over using a treadmill, you can invest in a treadmill to stay motivated and perform cardio.
- Stationary Bike: This equipment will be used for low impact exercises and can be used when you don’t want to lift weights.
Depending on your needs and budget, you can prepare a list of equipment on your own. If you are unsure, visit a store that sells gym equipment and take advice from the pros. You can also buy strength equipment online and get it delivered to your doorstep within a day or two.
Final Setup
Once you plan the space and place your equipment, the next and final step is to finish setting up your gym. If you are creating a business and clients will visit your gym, you must provide them with a clean washroom that can be accessed after working out. Similarly, if it is an indoor space, you should also install an air conditioner to regulate the temperature and airflow. You should also install mirrors and good lighting to complete the setup.
If you are a trainer who wishes to build a gym at an affordable price and personally train your clients, or an individual looking to get in shape, these steps will help you reach your goal. It is also an effective plan for those who wish to get fit but are unable to kickstart their fitness journey.
