Edge-Lit Freestanding LED Mirror by Eurofase
How to Work Out Your At-Home Workout Space
Many of us who work from home find ourselves wishing we could work out from home, too.
We’ll walk you through how to get every room into shape for any activity.
Whether your lifestyle is too hectic for regular gym visits or your local yoga studio has suddenly closed, your home could be the next best place to exercise. But don’t assume your home gym has to be relegated to a dedicated spare room or (gasp) the garage. We have some suggestions and solutions for integrating your workout space into rooms that already have one or more uses already defined.
Defining Your Spaces
Breaking a sweat means movement, and movement requires plenty of room. Start by defining where your exercise area will be and mentally setting aside space for the activity. If you have a room with built-in barriers like a half-wall, or moveable dividers like a screen, you’re already part way there.
Area rugs can also serve as a definition by separating the room into visual compartments. They can provide some protection if you’re going to be down on a hard floor, and you can even experiment with layering rugs on top of carpeting—or each other.
On the Move
Next, tuck away whatever you can to maximize your floor space. In a home office, task chairs with casters are easy to roll out of the way; standing or adjustable-height desks can be raised to fit smaller items underneath, reducing their footprint.
In any room, adding casters to storage items or even to tables and desks allows you to move them around your space as you like.
For larger furniture that doesn’t roll so easily, there are options that convert easily to reduce the amount of space they take up.
One or the Other
In a guest bedroom home gym, storage and versatility can come in one package. As seen here, this sofa also offers a place to stash anything you want, from linens to dumbbells. And the bed can fold out as needed when it’s time to hit the showers.
Large bedrooms with enough space to move around can also benefit from extra storage. A storage bed like this lifts up for easy access without need for much clearance on the sides, like other storage beds require. And all that room means you can hide away all manner of equipment so nobody will trip over it.
Any room can benefit from portable storage, so items can be toted into place and neatly put away when not in use. We like storage bins and baskets that have an element of style that coordinates with the palette and aesthetic of the room.
Flexible Accessories
An end table with a built-in clutter corral is more of a fixture in a living room or den than a basket or bin and does the dual duty of providing both surface and storage. If your workout gear is particularly handsome, interesting or beloved, feel free to make a display of it here. Alternately, it’s a quick place to stash shoes and bits when you’re ready to sweat it out.
A portable mirror is nice to have for many reasons, not least of all for checking your form. One that is light enough to move around can help you mix up your spaces with ease; especially handy when your rooms have to do more than one job.
We’ve established by now that containing clutter and clearing space is ever-so important for your workout space; really, it’s true in any movement-heavy space. Consider a hanging rack: In an entryway this handy item collects coats, hats and bags, but your home gym area might need a spot to clear away and hang a jump rope, yoga band or towels. In any room, if it hangs you can hang it up here.
Make It Fun
For many, active games are the ultimate versatile exercise. How can you make it even more versatile? Easy—just use a convertible game table as your dining room table. This one converts to a ping-pong table for family friendly games or serious grudge matches.
To sum up, your home gym doesn’t have to take up a room all on its own. With the right storage, organization and flexible furnishings, you can maintain your health in the comfort of your own modern home—no monthly fees required.
