10 Must-Have Elements in an Inspiring Home Gym
Make your workout zone a space that inspires you to get your sweat on
Laura Gaskill
3 February 2022
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
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.
1. Mirrors
Mirrors are helpful for checking proper form when lifting weights or doing yoga, and can boost light in a space with few windows. But that doesn’t mean you have to install a gym-size wall of mirrors – try leaning a row of full-length mirrors against the wall for a budget-friendly option.
Mirrors are helpful for checking proper form when lifting weights or doing yoga, and can boost light in a space with few windows. But that doesn’t mean you have to install a gym-size wall of mirrors – try leaning a row of full-length mirrors against the wall for a budget-friendly option.
2. Non-slip floors
Proper flooring can help prevent injuries, and an attractive floor will make your workout space more inviting. Hardwood floors can be left bare, but if you want a softer area for floor exercises, be sure to use a non-slip material, like firmly adhered carpet tiles.
Browse through photos of home gyms across the world
Proper flooring can help prevent injuries, and an attractive floor will make your workout space more inviting. Hardwood floors can be left bare, but if you want a softer area for floor exercises, be sure to use a non-slip material, like firmly adhered carpet tiles.
Browse through photos of home gyms across the world
3. Neat gear storage
Avoid the pile-up of weights and props by including shelving in your workout zone. Use sturdy baskets to contain smaller items.
If you are using a section of a larger room as your home gym, a backless bookcase like the one shown here can do double duty as storage and space divider.
Avoid the pile-up of weights and props by including shelving in your workout zone. Use sturdy baskets to contain smaller items.
If you are using a section of a larger room as your home gym, a backless bookcase like the one shown here can do double duty as storage and space divider.
If you are seeking a small-space solution, try using a kitchen or bar trolley instead of a large shelving unit. A trolley is compact but just large enough to hold weights and essential gear.
Find a designer from the Houzz directory to design your home gym
Find a designer from the Houzz directory to design your home gym
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.
5. Music
Not so into TV? Crank up the tunes instead with a compact stereo that works with your MP3 player or phone. Boost motivation by taking the time to make playlists in advance that will suit the pace of your workout.
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.
5. Music
Not so into TV? Crank up the tunes instead with a compact stereo that works with your MP3 player or phone. Boost motivation by taking the time to make playlists in advance that will suit the pace of your workout.
6. A 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.
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.
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 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 chilled in the fridge and grab it on your way to the workout room.
8. Inspiring art
Personalise your workout area with art that speaks to you. An oversize photograph (like the one shown here) makes a stunning focal point in a home gym; the bigger the better! For a budget option, have one of your own holiday photos blown up to poster size and pop it into an inexpensive frame from Ikea.
Personalise your workout area with art that speaks to you. An oversize photograph (like the one shown here) makes a stunning focal point in a home gym; the bigger the better! For a budget option, have one of your own holiday photos blown up to poster size and pop it into an inexpensive frame from Ikea.
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.
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.
Read more:
12 Best Colours For Your Home Gym
Tell us:
Do you have a workout zone at home? What are your home gym essentials?
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.
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.
Read more:
12 Best Colours For Your Home Gym
Tell us:
Do you have a workout zone at home? What are your home gym essentials?
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Turned a spare bedroom into added storage and much needed workout room
We also used the pandemic to create a workout room in our basement and got a sauna - it came as a kit you put together and seats 3 (ha!) but hubby and I both fit and enjoy it after our workouts.
We’re in the process of renovating our garage into a combined workshop/storage and exercise space. Another useful addition not mentioned here in the absence of air conditioning is a fan to cool the space in warmer weather a critical issue here in Australia.