Creating an Efficient Home Gym
A home gym is ultimately the ideal setting for achieving your workout goals. One of the major barriers to training for people is lack of time. Because stepping into your workout space at home requires no travel time, it's the ultimate in convenience and efficiency. To make it work for you, you simply need to equip it with what you need to achieve your workout objectives and protect your training time and space.
Setting Up Your Workout Space
To set up an effective workout space, you need enough room to move freely. At a minimum, it should be longer and wider than your height. The best situation is if you can set aside space that is always dedicated to your training. If your home, however, does not allow for a dedicated space, then always use the same multi-use portion of your home for training. This space needs to be well ventilated and comfortably temperature controlled. Keep a basket or box for your training equipment so that everything you use will be easy to find and store.
Your workout space can be as elaborate as money can buy or it can be very basic and inexpensive. It all depends on your resources. Your goal is to combine aerobic, muscle conditioning, and flexibility training and to incorporate mind-body exercises. At a minimum, you will need some form of weight-training equipment, which can be as simple as rubber tubing and elastic bands or as elaborate as a weight-training bench and dumbbells. You will need an exercise mat for floor work and a towel or strap that you can use as a stretching tool. If you want to check your form, a full-length mirror is useful.
Training safely and effectively requires certain environmental conditions. The ideal temperature for training is between 66 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with low humidity. Flooring should absorb impact and should not be slippery. Avoid concrete surfaces and floor rugs. Air should circulate well.
Protecting Your Training Time
Your most important challenge when you train at home is to protect your training time from interruptions. You need to treat it with the same respect that you would an appointment outside your home. Plan on not answering the telephone or the door, if possible. Turn off your cell phone. Keep pets and other distractions out of the room. Use music to create a positive atmosphere — energizing tunes for when you're working vigorously and relaxing melodies for times when you're winding down. Create a routine so that you use your training space regularly and it becomes part of your weekly routine.
When you train at home, treat it as if you're training at the gym. Wear appropriate exercise attire and athletic shoes. Not only will they protect your equipment and flooring, they will also ensure your comfort and safety.
