Without a shadow of a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic is making our world smaller by the day. It has definitely deprived people of so many things everyone used to enjoy. On its official page, CDC (Center for Disease Control) details not having large gatherings and not visiting favorite public spots, which by some stroke of bad luck includes the gym as prohibited. The result? Stay-in-place orders have us all locked up inside our homes, akin to being in prison.
However, even a prison can have an exercise facility, right? Exploring the prospects of a home gym could be spot on these days. Two factors work to your advantage. One, you have all the time to build one. Two, you’re not going anywhere anytime soon.
Think about it. Having a gym in your home would be the coolest ever. And yet, desiring a home gym is one thing; making one a reality is another. Luckily, it’s not really impossible. Here’s a rundown on the things you need to do to build one on a shoestring budget.
Get ample space
First, think about the space you can use for your gym. Of course, this would be dependent on the size of your home. So you need to wrack your brain to get your planned gym its rightful place at home.
A good option is dedicating part of your outdoor space. You can decide on a good cover to protect you from the weather. On the other hand, you might want to look into the basement. The advantage of a basement home gym is plenty.
First up, you’ve got the space all to yourself. You’re away from the badgering of children or the calls from your home office. This way, you can focus on sculpting your six-pack beach-ready abs.
Just one caveat, though. You will have to make sure your basement has plenty of space to maneuver and is physically ready. A little planning should go a long way to fit all the equipment you plan to install.
Otherwise, if your space is cramped, you may have to consult a basement contractor. Experienced and armed with the right tools, these professionals can get all the basement space you need at the height you want. Even better, they can do the job with finesse in half the time (than DIY).
Start with basic equipment, then upgrade
Once you have the space ready, it’s time to start setting up. And that means getting the right equipment for the job. Start with the basic equipment, like a yoga mat, dumbbells, and resistance bands. That should give you a good feeling right from the get-go. You can then expand to more sophisticated gym equipment over time.
Of course, if you have money to burn, completing your gym shouldn’t be a problem. But if not, start small. One way to save money is opting for secondhand gym equipment. The good news is as gym businesses are down during the pandemic, many gym owners are bent on selling their wares for a lower price to make do.
A piece of brand new equipment would definitely cost you more. Some of the basic equipment you can get are treadmills, benches, barbells, and dumbbells.
Have a design for setup
This is for you if you have a large space for the gym. Make sure there is enough space between one piece of equipment to another. Proper spacing means you get far superior gym experience that’s away from untoward risks.
Another important thing is lighting. It can be natural or artificial lighting. But you need to get good lighting; it creates a good ambiance for the gym. A poor one can add potential risks to your time sweating.
Make the most of the home gym
After setting up the gym, make sure you make the most of it. Since you now have your own gym, you will not need to pay heavily for a gym membership. That’s a lifetime of savings for you. And as if on cue, most Americans choose to nix their gym membership plans after the pandemic.
Once you have your home gym all set up, rejoice. It’s time you bring the whole family in. Not only will you get a good place to have fun and bond, but you’re also putting a premium on everyone’s health, yours including.
