Modern life is a million miles an hour, and there’s information overload when so many experts are telling homeowners what to do. However, the boom in home gyms has gained momentum as families try to bring leisure services under their own roof. According to a recent report, the home gym market was valued at just under $12 million in 2024 and will continue to expand.
Bringing the barbells to the basement is not just for the amateur fitness fanatic though. Several celebrities, including many sports stars, have given details of their domestic set-up.
Sports Stars With Huge Home Gyms
Some NFL players have broadcast their incredible routines from the comfort of their own home, which often looks better equipped than a public entity. Once upon a time, Riley Green, a former quarterback at Jacksonville State University, would have come up on college football odds. Now he is a country star who needs to work out to keep in trim for the musical road.
What really works for the mainstream homeowner is consolidating exercise under one roof, saving precious time and stress. Fitness routines aren’t just about the 40 minutes. There is travel to the gym and back. There are other distractions that eat into time outside of the home on the way back from a workout.
While the stars have often got thousands to invest, some key requirements that require attention in the planning and design before starting. The space doesn’t need to be filled with all the same equipment as a public gymnasium.
Get The Right Equipment For Gym Goals
One of the fundamentals is choosing a goal-oriented training routine, which will then instruct the next step in buying the right tools. If the aim is to raise aerobic power, then a running machine is better than a whole batch of loaded weight resistance machines. Cardio equipment with a few mobile weights is better than investing in a power rack in this instance.
If the space is for the whole family, then there must be adjustments for the different levels needed. If simplicity is the key in a small area, then it might be better to have lots of budget equipment like resistance bands, mats, dumbbells, Swiss balls, skipping ropes, TRX bands and other movable stuff. Storage is easier with more space. Versatile equipment is such a plus when it can do a similar job.
On the other hand, foldable equipment is less sturdy than fixed equipment and could be a false economy if it wears down and becomes unsafe. Some homeowners feel like the best gym equipment is a must after seeing it at first hand, but then might never use it. Focus on buying equipment that will be utilized. It is so easy to get heady about looking at something that might be better out of the house rather than in it.
For those who need machines that concentrate on strength and conditioning, the positioning of machines is key in terms of walking between each unit. Functionality helps in terms of having enough room to lift, move, stretch and warm up. In larger spaces, it’s effective to have different zones like a free stretch area, a weights section, and a running section.
Creating Right Aura With Mood Music and Entertainment
The non-athletic equipment is just as vital to create the right working environment. Just as a house needs the proper lighting, décor and ambience to feel right, the gym needs similar TLC.
Many people need music in their lives when walking to the mall or working out on the treadmill. Surround speakers can be installed to create the acoustics with a favorite hit list ringing in the ears. TV screens can be installed on the wall, or through an integrated system if the training regime clashes with the big game.
The best spaces benefit from natural light filtering through windows or glass doors, giving the impression of a bigger space. White walls also create the aura of a bigger space. Lighting should be directed into low-level areas rather than shining directly into the line of sight. There should also be a mirror so that the homeowner or user can see their moves and align positions and posture.
Ultimately, the home gym is not all about the equipment. Everything in life becomes monotonous when it feels like Groundhog Day. Routines must be changed as the body adapts and goals are reached. Rather than asking “what now?” it is good to plan a longer aim and leave space in the room – and in the head – for a different way.