Why do I get so excited when it comes to designing and building the perfect gym space for you? It’s because I think fitness spaces are an often-overlooked aspect of our daily lives. Don’t get me wrong, I can design and build a fantastic bathroom and shower. But a home gym just hits different when it becomes a space in your home that you spend as much time, if not more time, than you spend in the bathroom.
If you think about it, we ensure we have everything in our homes to help us thrive. We put comfortable beds in our bedrooms, we have fresh, clean water in the bathrooms, and we make sure that we have the best appliances to cook our food. But why is it that we neglect spaces to help us move well and be fit?
Coming from a corporate job in academia I guess having freedom and creative expression is near and dear to my heart because while working there I had none. Ideas were squashed and creativity was not appreciated. So now having the opportunity to dream up a space for a client, to get inside their head, and deliver something better than they expected, is simply my new way of living my best life. Since fitness spaces aren’t a one-size- fits-all approach, it keeps me hungry for that next “high” if you will to put my creativity and problem solving to the test.
When it comes to residential fitness spaces, many people usually have 1 of 3 needs:
- The client just wants a space, period. They don’t care where it is in the home, what equipment they have, or how big/small, they just want to take back that part of their lives, even if it’s a mat and a couple dumbbells.
- The client wants a remodeled multi-use space. This might mean they have an office that can be converted into a shared fitness space. Or a garage that needs not only a fitness space, but also an upgrade for the laundry area too.
- The client wants a stand-alone space. This space can include a number of different features and amenities to make it a one of a kind fitness oasis.
Whether you’re going for a full gut and remodel of your space, or just a minor cosmetic facelift, there are some things to ask yourself before jumping in:
◦ Is this my forever home? If so, then, spare no expense! Chances are you’ll be enjoying it for years to come, so go ahead and invest in this space so it’s perfect for you now. If not, then you may want to scale back slightly to make it manageable for when you move.
◦ Do I just need the basics, or do I want a full on gym with amenities in my home? We’ll get into the amenities later, but the “basics” generally refers to an adjustable bench and dumbbells. However if you don’t need ALL the amenities, but something more than a bench and dumbbells, there are a thousand solutions out there to ft your needs.
◦ Do I want the space to inspire and motivate me, or does the look and feel not matter to me so much if I have the basic equipment I need? The intentionality of the colors, textures, and flow of the space can impact how it makes you feel to start a workout. It can make or break you feeling inspired to start the day off right, or motivated to avoid that room at all costs.
◦ Where will I locate this in my home? Will it be an indoor/outdoor space like a California room? A basement/garage? A spare bedroom, utility space/rec room, etc.? Do you have a Mother in law suite that can be transformed into your own fitness getaway? Will there be an attached bathroom/shower, and if so, does this space need to be remodeled as well? If your gym will be in the garage, will you need a remodel of the laundry space too? These seemingly “little” upgrades should be considered as well.
◦ Am I happy with the existing light fixtures? Lighting can make a big impact on the mood of the space, so you might need to add some and you don’t want cables and cords everywhere. Are you adding any audio/visual electronics? Do you need extra power for cardio machines? Our electricians will help you decide these things based on your desired space.
◦ Am I happy with the existing wall covering? There are a million options when it comes to giving your walls some depth, texture, and personality to make the space inviting. Anything from wood planking, to wallpaper, a new paint color and even tile accent walls. It all depends on what aesthetic you’re going for.
◦ Do I want to be the envy of my neighbors and friends? Let’s face it, we all have a little bit of “Keeping up with the Jones’s” inside of us. I may be a bit biased, but I don’t think that it’s ever a bad idea to set a healthy example for your family and friends… Even if they envy you a little bit for it.
Specialty Amenities
There are several amenities that you may not have considered for your space. I find that many clients never considered these options at first, but after having them, they can’t imagine their life without! For example, a sauna. Here are some amenities to elevate your space and ensure you have a one-of-a-kind experience, all from the comfort of your own home:
– Yoga/Meditation area
– Massage table
– Putting green or virtual golf
– Recovery Normatec boots and recliner
– Ice bath
– Infared or Barrel Sauna
– Steam room
– Mini Fridge and Smoothie bar with sink
Each of these may require advanced planning and this is where the design and planning becomes crucial. Sometimes, if you’d like to add a specialty type of treadmill later on down the line, you might be in for a rude awakening when the wall must be opened up to run an isolated-dedicated receptacle. It’s a good idea to build the space out for all the things you MIGHT need in the future so there is ample plumbing, electrical, and framing behind the walls.
Equipment Extras
Equipment extras are anything other than an adjustable bench and a set of dumbbells. Truly, the sky is the limit on this, but here is a not-so exhaustive list:
Strength Equipment:
– Squat Rack (foldable or fixed), barbell and plates
– Rack Attachments – dip bar, landmine attachment
– Functional trainer – Pulleys and cable attachments
– Jungle Gym – Pull Up bar, dip bar, monkey bars, step up bench
– Kettlebells/Medicine Balls
– Pilates Reformers
– Plate loaded equipment (i.e. leg press, chest supported t-row, bench press, etc.)
– Selectorized equipment (i.e. Lat Pulldown machine, Leg extension, etc.)
Cardio Equipment:
– Spin Bike
– Upright or recumbent bike
– Elliptical
– Treadmill
– AMT
– Rower Erg
– Ski Erg
– Assault Bike
Accessories:
– Yoga mats
– Bands
– Blocks
– Bar pads
– Weight vests
– Medicine balls
– Exercise balls
– Foam rollers
– Cable attachments
Did I overwhelm you or excite you with all the possibilities? Maybe even a little of both? Either way, my job is to guide you every step of the way to ensure that you have a lasting, quality, and inspiring space that helps you live your best life. Let’s connect to start dreaming up your home gym or fitness space.