How to Set Up a Home Gym

There are a lot of good reasons to move to a house from an apartment, and one of those reasons is extra space. Extra space…it’s one of the things you’ve been dreaming about since the day you moved into your cost-effective, 1-bedroom apartment, so once you take the leap and move to a house, you may feel like you’re dreaming with all that new space around you.

And how can you use the space? A favorite way to take advantage of extra rooms is to set up a home gym. The cost to set up a home gym can range from extremely pricey to totally doable, depending on the equipment you choose. If you’re interested in setting up a home gym in your house, here are 3 important tips to keep in mind:

Choose a room with lots of light

Nothing is more de-motivating than working out in a dark room, so if possible, choose one that has lots of light. If the only extra room in your house is a  basement, don’t sweat it — there are plenty ways to figure out how to set up a home gym in your basement that won’t make you feel down in the dumps. It’s all a matter of getting creative — you can paint the walls with bright colors, add mirrors, ceiling fans, vents, AC — anything that will give the room a feeling of brightness and airiness.

Choose your equipment wisely

Just because you have more space doesn’t mean you have unlimited space. While you might be tempted to buy all different kinds of gym equipment, start small and only buy what you know you’ll use. After that, if you feel like you want to add more to your exercise routine, add other equipment slowly but surely. But remember, overcrowding can lead to you being uncomfortable in your home gym, which is the last thing you want.

Stick to a budget

Just like you don’t want your home gym to get overcrowded with equipment, you don’t want to spend thousands and thousands of dollars when you don’t actually need to. If you’re not sure how to set up a home gym on a budget, consider this:

There are many types of less-expensive gym equipment that can give you the same workout as big-ticket items. For example, stability balls and resistance bands are great low-cost solutions to working out muscles all over your body, and they won’t cost a fortune like strength-training machines. And if you’re looking for cardio but don’t want to spend a lot on a treadmill or elliptical, try skipping, jumping jacks, and aerobic steppers — all fun, cheap alternatives to large exercise equipment.

Ready, Set, Exercise

Nothing gives you a boost of energy and endorphins like exercising, and when you have a home gym in your house, it’s easier than ever to keep up a good, consistent routine. If you’re interested in starting your fitness routine before you move, check out these exercises to prepare for moving day. The earlier you start getting into shape, the easier it will be for you to physically move your stuff to a new house.