In this post, we’re walking through how to create a home gym for the family. Pandemic or not, working out in your own home with your own equipment has many conveniences. You might have joined a gym in the past and had reasons (or excuses!) why you were not able to go to the gym regularly. These might include your work schedule, traveling, feeling intimidated, being tired, or sheer lack of motivation.
A great alternative to going to the gym is working out at home. Working out in your home gym allows you to exercise whenever you want to, and can get the whole family involved in an active lifestyle
But while there are advantages, there are also some disadvantages of working out at home. For instance, your space may be limited or your range of equipment might be hindered by either space or cost. With some creativity though, you can create a home gym for your family on any budget using the space you have.
So, before you head off to buy workout equipment and create your workout space for the family, pause to answer these 5 questions below.
5 Questions to Answer Before You Create a Home Gym for the Family
1. How much space do I have for a home gym?
Evaluate where you will set up your home gym and how much physical space you can allocate to this area. The gym can be in a spare bedroom, the corner of another room, or even in the garage. Choose an area that works for you and your family and somewhere that can be used as dedicated space to eliminate having to move pieces of equipment around, which may be a demotivator.
2. What is my budget?
Before heading to Amazon to order a bunch of workout equipment, ask yourself what your overall budget is for the room. It may be that you need to add one or two major pieces initially and add other pieces from your Wish List over time. Remember, you can do this in stages – it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
3. What equipment will I need in a home gym for the family?
While having a home gym that’s fully decked out with a treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, and weight rack might sound like the way to go – it’s best to focus on equipment that you will actually use and enjoy. Also, if you will do online workouts in the room, plan around floor space and a station for your device and/or monitor.
4. How can I create a home gym that is family-friendly and safe?
Safety is a priority when you create a home gym, especially one that the kids may also spend time in. Be sure that equipment is correctly set up and secured for safety at all times. Don’t attempt to DIY your setup of equipment. If you need help, hire this task out to a professional installer so you know it’s done right. Many retailers have this as an add-on service you can purchase when you buy equipment either online or at the store.
And if necessary, install a door lock or gate/fence on the area to prevent any young children from wandering into the room or area unattended.
5. What activities do we enjoy doing and how will my family use this space?
This exercise will also help you answer the above question of what equipment to add as you plan your workout area at home. Do you enjoy cardio, strength training, or other activities? Ask family members to chime in on what activities they enjoy doing as you’re planning out your family workout room. Consider things like storage space as you plan for what activities will be done there.
Setting Up a Home Gym on a Budget
Setting up a home gym for the family doesn’t have to be an expensive, labor-intensive process. There are many options for affordable home gym equipment that can keep you active and healthy at home.
Also, keep in mind that you don’t have to put your workout space together all at once. You can gradually create a home gym for the family by starting with simple tools like those in this list.
A quick search on Amazon can give you ideas of prices for many of these like jump ropes, a set of hand weights, and resistance bands. You can even find free online workout videos to include in your family’s workout plan.
Look for second-hand options at local garage sales or thrift stores, and ask friends and family for donations. Many people have fitness equipment they may no longer be using, and this could be a great way for you to test things out before making a full investment or upgrading later. Here are some tools that can help you affordably set up a home gym for the family.
Putting a little planning and effort into creating a workout space at home is a great investment of your time and may also give you the motivation to be active as a family!
Have you already set up a home workout space for your family? What worked or didn’t work for you? We’d love to hear your suggestions too. Be sure to leave a comment below!
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