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We all know how important physical activity is to our overall health, but between work, home, and family obligations, it can be tough to fit in time to go to the gym. If you’re missing out on your 150 minutes of physical activity per week, it might be time to bring your workouts home!
With all your workout equipment right down the hall instead of across town, you’re much more likely to get the regular exercise you need.
That said, building a home gym isn’t quite as simple as it seems. It only takes a few common home gym-building mistakes to completely ruin the experience.
To get the most out of your workouts, you need the right home gym setup – and we’re here to help! Read on to learn about the most common home gym mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Building Without a Plan
The biggest mistake you can make with building a home gym is to jump straight to buying equipment without first making a detailed plan. Which space will you use? Who’s going to use it? Which types of exercises do you want to do?
Knowing all the details about your gym before you start will help you prevent major problems down the road.
Take your time with this step and do your research, especially if you’re new to exercise. It’s better to wait and have the perfect home gym than to throw something together that doesn’t suit your needs.
2. Not Measuring the Space
Part of the planning process should include measuring the space in which you’re going to build your gym. Even a set of free weights takes up a surprising amount of space! Unless you bought a house specifically for its room for a home gym, don’t assume that you have enough space for the equipment you want.
Depending on the size of the room you have to work with, you might have to make adjustments or sacrifices along the way. If you don’t have room for a power rack and a treadmill, for instance, you might opt for a wall-mounted weight training system or do your cardio outside instead.
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3. Not Creating a Budget
A home gym doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can get a fantastic workout with as little as a space and a yoga mat! That said, if your gym will include anything more than that, it’s essential to create a home gym budget first.
Gym equipment can get expensive, so list the pieces you want in order of priority and set aside a dollar amount that you’re able to spend on each. Don’t be afraid to shop secondhand either.
There’s nothing wrong with buying a used power rack from a social media marketplace or thrift shop, as long as it’s in good condition. You can save money and give a neglected piece of workout equipment a new life!
4. Neglecting Climate Control and Ventilation
Before you get too carried away with your gym equipment dreams, be sure to take time to lay the groundwork. Without proper climate control and ventilation, you’ll find your home gym uncomfortable or even impossible to work out in.
All the sweating and heavy breathing you’ll be doing can quickly create a humid, unpleasant environment. To prevent mold-causing levels of humidity, ensure that your gym is well-ventilated and kept at a comfortable temperature.
5. Overlooking Lighting and Mirrors
As with any room, lighting is a criminally overlooked aspect of design. Proper lighting is important for safety but will also help you stay positive and energized during your workouts.
A well-lit gym also needs mirrors! One of the most common causes of injury from physical activity is poor form. You need to be able to see yourself at all times during your workout to ensure that you’re moving with the correct form.
6. Installing Improper Flooring
To save money working out at home, it can be tempting to install your equipment on whatever flooring is already installed in the room and call it a day.
However, this not only puts your floors at risk of damage but also shortens the lifespan of your equipment. Not to mention, with concrete or hardwood floors, you’ll find that your workouts are much noisier than you probably want.
Thankfully, sports flooring is both easy to install and inexpensive. All you have to do is buy interlocking rubber or foam mats and lay them over the existing flooring.
7. Buying Unnecessary Equipment
It’s easy to get excited about the endless variety of home gym equipment available but to get the most out of your gym, you need to choose your pieces carefully. Start with the basics and build up your collection as you progress in your fitness journey.
In addition, keep in mind that many sites offer workouts with little to no equipment necessary. While weight training and cardio machines are great additions to any gym, all the bells and whistles aren’t needed for a great workout.
Avoid These Home Gym-Building Mistakes to Get More Out of Your Workout
Now you know how to avoid the most common home gym building mistakes, all that’s left is to build your gym and use it. Don’t make the mistake of putting in all the time, money, and effort it takes to build a home gym only to neglect it when it’s done.
Using these tips, you’ll have the ultimate home gym setup, remind yourself of that anytime you don’t feel like working out!
And if you’re still feeling a little unmotivated, take a look at our blog. We have tons of tips and motivation for becoming your best you!
