If you are struggling to stick to your New Year’s exercise resolution, have you considered investing in a home gym? Instead of heading to the gym after work, or struggling to find the time during the day, having the equipment you need at your fingertips could make all the difference. But before you rush out and spend your money, read on to discover what you need to take into consideration first.
Find the right space to exercise in
When you are buying anything for the home there is always some consideration about the best place to put it. That’s because you want to make sure you get the best possible use out of the money you spend.
The same applies to a home gym. Where you set up in the house will make a big difference to how much you use it in the future. You’ll notice that professional gyms are full of windows as this encourages daylight to come in, making us feel more motivated while working out. Rather than put your gym in a dark basement, position the equipment in a room that takes in plenty of natural light.
Much will depend on the size of your home and type of equipment you will be using. In larger homes, spare rooms and the backend of the living room are good places for a gym. For those living in smaller spaces, you can invest in fold-up equipment that can be stored away out of sight when not in use.
Buying the right exercise equipment
Of course, you will have to think about the space and budget available to you, along with the exercise goals you want to achieve. If money is a bit tight, you might need a loan to help get you started. Just as importantly, you must also think about the type of exercise you are going to enjoy doing. Otherwise, you are more likely to stop working out and you gym will start to collect dust.
A sensible first step before committing to any equipment is to compare costs with gym membership. Research shows that some of the higher-end gyms can cost as much as £100 per month. Although a small number of no-frills alternatives have started to appear that cost as little as £11.99 per month. Another key factor to consider is the gym’s location and any additional travel costs it may incur, along with gym clothes and locker rental.
Home shopping makes it easy to get good quality equipment delivered straight to your door. If you have the space you might want to invest in a workout bench and a set of dumbbells for muscle toning. A running machine, rowing machine or exercise bike are good choices for cardio workouts. Many of these are also available as fold-up equipment, meaning you don’t have to live in a mansion to be able to exercise regularly at home.
Many people prefer to go to the gym as it forces them to find a regular exercise routine. Having everything you need at home might lead to complacency and quickly forgetting your schedule.
Investing in a home gym is only worth it if you continue to use the equipment. Continue to challenge yourself by setting new goals you can work towards. Change your routine if you start to get bored and don’t beat yourself up if you miss a few sessions. And remember, a session can be as long or as short as you need them to be. In the long run, when used regularly, a home gym will prove beneficial and become a valuable addition to your physical and mental health.