Home Gym Design Tips: Supporting Physical and Mental Well-Being Indoors

The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being”. If one or more of these aspects are compromised, quality of life and happiness can be seriously affected. In recent years, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, this has proven particularly difficult. Travel restrictions have forced many people to stay indoors and businesses to suspend in-person operations, in an effort to prevent the virus from spreading, but inevitably sacrificing psychological, emotional and even physical health in the process. As a result, people’s lifestyles have changed to find new ways to approach their well-being, including adapting their living spaces accordingly. Home gyms, for example, have become a popular initiative.

Although home fitness has been around for decades, it has obviously taken on a new role in recent years and its benefits are now clearer than ever. Turning residential spaces into small-scale exercise studios can be extremely convenient, allowing building occupants to exercise their bodies and mentally escape the chaotic outside world. All of this from the comfort of their own home, in a controlled environment, and while saving the time one typically spends packing, getting to the gym, finding a locker, and getting the right gear.

Home gyms can be set up in a multitude of creative ways and with a wide variety of equipment, whether it’s the traditional home gym with high-end machines or just an open space with accessories. smaller. Regardless of the layout, it must become a safe place that adapts to the specific needs of users and promotes their health in all its aspects, from physical to mental. So how do you design a good home gym? Much depends on personal preference and workout style, but there are some general tips to follow to ensure an engaging and motivating space. We dive into some of them below, aiming to inspire architects, designers and homeowners looking to incorporate health and fitness into the home.

Choose a comfortable space

Because they often have space left over, basements tend to be a popular alternative when selecting a gym space. Other options include an unused guest bedroom, a home office that doubles as a gym, or even adding a mobile gym set to go wherever there’s space. available. Of course, the space should be large enough to move around comfortably, but the size will depend on availability, personal goals and needs. A small yoga studio, for example, will require less space than a fully equipped gym with a treadmill, weights, etc. As a general rule, the American Council on Exercise recommends about 20 to 50 square feet (2 to 5 m²) of space. for exercising with free weights, 30 square feet (3 m²) for a treadmill, and 50 to 200 square feet (5 to 19 m²) for a multi-station gym. In addition, another point to consider is the floor and walls of a room, as they should ideally be durable, comfortable and easy to clean. This can be solved by covering materials like rubber tiles and vinyl, or simply by using cushioned surfaces that can be individually rolled out, like these handmade leather fitness mats.

Pay attention to the layout

The size of a home gym will be subject to space limitations, but it can be optimized with proper layout. Larger equipment like weight benches or wall bars should be located so that there is enough room to navigate between them, and all electronic machines should be placed close to electrical outlets. Functionality is key; spaces should be zoned and organized to ensure that all exercises can be undertaken adequately. For example, in large rooms it can be useful to have a yoga zone, a weight section, a cardio corner and free space for floor exercises, stretching or just to make a room less narrow. Contemplating a storage space to store equipment can also be a big plus, which can be easily solved by adding shelves and vertical sets for weighted balls, dumbbells and kettlebells – or even organizing each of these accessories in a complete setup.

Prioritize lighting and ventilation

You don’t have to flood a home gym with the kind of light you would find in a commercial gym, but there should be enough to create an inviting atmosphere. Where possible, fixtures should be positioned relative to training areas and light levels should be adjusted for various activities, often requiring a combination of diffused and direct LED lighting. Although artificial lighting can be perfectly effective, the ideal setting will always be a room with windows and natural light, especially if training tends to take place during the day. As well as improving mood and energy levels with sunlight, having a window allows natural ventilation and clean air to come in, which in many cases is a must. . Of course, a similar effect can also be achieved by using air conditioning, ceiling fans, or even a dehumidifier to get rid of condensation.

Select the right equipment

All of these space-related factors are crucial for a well-designed home gym. However, the equipment also plays a big role, both in terms of functionality and aesthetics. Even if the gym has an optimal layout, it won’t be the most motivating space for users to exercise if it includes shoddy machinery with an outdated look that doesn’t match the aesthetics of the gym. Hall. On the contrary, the use of equipment such as that developed by PENT Fitness creates the opposite effect. PENT Fitness provides customizable luxury gym equipment for homes (as well as personal studios, hotels, and spas) that combines craftsmanship with ergonomic design. Thanks to timeless natural materials and elegant appearance, these strive to act as both fitness equipment and high-quality furniture.

Each piece is crafted from handcrafted wood, genuine leather, and stainless steel. Different combinations and finishes are available to suit different styles; while the Scandinavian Ash collection creates a warm look, the Gold collection translates into a sleek, contemporary aesthetic. In addition, the product line adapts to various training needs, whether for weightlifting, cardio exercises or yoga routines. The SCALA Wall Bar, for example, allows users to perform most exercises created for standard gym ladders, while the COLMIA Deluxe Dumbbell Set or RACKA Accessory Set is ideal for a variety of routines. resistance and cardio.

Overall, the combination of high-quality equipment with a well-designed space makes the home workout experience much more appealing to building occupants, promoting a healthier (and often happier) lifestyle. ).

Learn more about PENT Fitness luxury gym equipment here.