February 10th, 2021 | Lifestyle
A Home Gym With Some Muscle And ROI.
Home gyms top list of requirements for house hunters in 2021
While those who loved going to work out at a gym before the pandemic are looking forward to seeing their trainer in person again soon, many have discovered the convenience of exercising at home. That is putting home gyms on the list of spaces home buyers want when buying a new residence.
“Many homeowners are now seeing the importance of having an exercise space available in their own home,” says Dr. Craig McNamee, a chiropractor and co-founder of Catalyst Health Yorkville in Toronto.
In addition to home offices and play areas for kids, consumers in Toronto’s luxury home market are putting greater emphasis on having a dedicated gym space. That has created a whole specialization in this area of interior design. Some are engaging a designer to come up with a space that meets their needs. To get started, take some time to think about what you want most and how your home’s existing space can be transformed into a welcoming spot to get your workout for the day.
Define the space
When envisioning a home gym, Dr. McNamee recommends creating a sense of separation whenever possible from other living areas in the home. He has helped design functional exercise spaces in everything from small bedrooms to large custom gyms designed from scratch.
“When you leave your home to work out, you go to a gym that’s separate from your life; your kids, your spouse, your pets and responsibilities are all left behind, thus allowing you to fully focus on your fitness routine. That’s why I suggest creating a similar feeling at home,” he says.
This can be achieved by setting up a dedicated area in the basement, garage, or spare room.
“Just make sure you can be separate from any distractions that will tempt you away from your sweat session,” says Dr. McNamee.
Your home gym should be a place that motivates you to get moving — not only on the days you are amped up, but more importantly, on the days you are second-guessing the workout. Quality lighting, mirrors, speaker system or quality headphones are important considerations when creating your workout environment. Natural light is always a bonus when possible.
“With respect to safety, I always recommend rubber flooring of at least a half-inch thickness for durability and to prevent any underlying floor damage when dropping weights,” he says. This will also help protect you from injury.
You don’t need much space to get a good workout in, but the more floor space you have, the more equipment you will be able to include.
Dr. McNamee recommends avoiding large pieces of exercise equipment for a standard home gym. A few key pieces with some accessories usually provide an excellent overall workout.
“Too many times I’ve seen clients purchase a large treadmill which ends up dominating the floor space and ultimately limits their training options,” he says.
Don’t go big; go virtual
The virtual training market has exploded since the pandemic began, and lockdowns caused the shuttering of gyms worldwide.
“It will be interesting to see to what extent people return to their big box gyms in the future. We now have the ability to provide classes or one-on-one sessions with a certified personal trainer without having to fight traffic. This forced change has ultimately allowed us to become more efficient with our time,” he says.
What equipment delivers the best value?
• Dumbbells
For smaller spaces, the Power Block/Bowflex adjustable weights are usually recommended as this will utilize much less space than a full rack.
“I find the Power Block/Bowflex adjustable style of dumbbells the best compact strength options,” says Dr. McNamee.
• Cardio
Unless you are an avid runner who requires a treadmill, there are other cardio options. Treadmills can be a costly item that takes up a lot of floor space, especially when this activity can be done outside for most months of the year. Rowing machines (Concept 2) and Air Bikes (Rogue Echo Bike, Schwinn Airdyne) are cost-effective, durable, have a small footprint, and require virtually no maintenance.
“I believe a rower or Air Bike is the most efficient way to build cardiovascular and full-body muscle endurance,” says Dr. McNamee. “Bodyweight exercises such as burpees, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, and skipping are all great forms of conditioning to work into your workouts to maximize your results.”
• Bench or Reebok step
A sturdy bench that can adjust between flat and incline is usually recommended. However, if space is a concern, a dual-use item such as the Reebok step can really come in handy. In addition to using this for both upper and lower body movements, it can also be broken down and stored easily.
• Recovery tools
You will have days where your body needs a little extra love, and utilizing one of the newer percussive massage devices (Hypervolt or Theragun) will come in handy. A few minutes spent in the warm-up or rest days will make a world of difference in aiding your recovery.
If you have space, consider adding a squat rack, barbell, and bumper weightlifting plates.
If you’re still looking for some extra motivation, book a virtual workout with a Catalyst trainer, they will be sure to get you using your new home gym to the max!
Thinking about revamping some other areas of your home? Get started here:
