Wall-to-wall mirrors, a mini-fridge stocked with protein shakes, and a shower and sauna for post-workout relaxing – the possibilities are endless when you’re building a custom at-home gym.
Did you know Americans should be working out at least 150 minutes a week, according to CDC guidelines (PDF)? The recommendations call for a mix of cardio and strength training exercises to stay healthy and stave off disease.
But with busy schedules every day, sometimes the most convenient way to break a sweat is to set up a home gym to get to your workouts with ease. You don’t have an excuse when your Peloton and dumbbells are in the room next door!
If you’re sketching out your dream home gym to present to your builder, here’s a look at 10 key custom features from TikTokers’ home gym tours that just make sense.
Wall-to-Wall and Floor-to-Ceiling Windows
When you’re designing your custom home gym, start by drafting the floorplan. Where do you plan on lifting weights and bench pressing, and when do you think you’ll fit in time for yoga and some high-intensity interval training (HIIT)?
With a plan in mind, identify where you’d like your builder to install floor-to-ceiling mirrors so you can keep a close eye on your form.
Take a look at this TikToker’s mirrors for inspiration. Make sure you take stock of where you want windows and doors.
Built-in Bench and Weight Racks
For homeowners working with tighter spaces, consult your builder to design gym equipment that extends from your gym’s walls.
You can create custom built-in weight racks and a bench that folds out just like this TikToker’s. He also has floating shelves to store his weights, so they aren’t taking up floor space. And just like that, he’s ready to go for bench presses, squats, and deadlifts.
Padded Flooring
Rubber, cork, foam – there are many ways you can elevate your home gym’s flooring. While you may be working out on a yoga mat now, talk with your builder about the right flooring for your home gym. Besides looking sleek, gym-friendly flooring helps with everything from protecting your knees and joints, to improving balance, to preventing injuries from slips and falls. Padded flooring will also safeguard your home from damage from weights and heavy workout equipment.
While you can add a few padded floormats yourself, check out how sleek these professionally padded floors look:
Wall-Mounted Smart TV
Let’s be honest: Clocking miles on the treadmill can get monotonous. It may seem like a minute detail but make sure you and your builder save wall space for a television. Your TV will come in handy, allowing you to watch your favorite show, catch up on the news, or stream a workout class.
This TikToker made sure their home gym had a wall-mounted TV to keep them company during their sweat sessions:
Built-in Rock Wall
Climbing is a great sport for building upper body and core strength, but what if you can’t make it to the climbing gym every week?
If you love climbing or want to add it to your repertoire of at-home exercises, earmark one of your home gym’s walls and ask your builder to craft a rock wall for you with plenty of routes for climbing and traversing. That’s what this TikToker did:
Mini-Fridge for Energy Drinks and Protein Shakes
Take notes while studying the layout of this home gym: This TikToker designed it with a kitchenette. There’s a sink, mini-fridge, and compact counter space and cupboards – all the essentials you’ll need to stay hydrated, whip up a protein shake, or grab a quick post-workout snack.
If you like to spend hours at the gym getting a full workout, this is a great addition to add to your home gym’s floorplan. Your exercise won’t be interrupted by multiple trips to the kitchen to refill your water bottle!
Make sure your floorplan includes an electrical outlet in the kitchenette so you can plug in your blender.
You can forgo the sink and include space for a mini fridge just like this TikToker’s:
Showers, Saunas, and Jacuzzis
There’s nothing quite like having an ice-cold shower or decompressing in the sauna after a hard workout.
This TikToker built a bathroom with an aromatherapy steam shower next to their home gym. Add a speaker if you want to wash off the day’s worries to your favorite playlist!
Feeling even more indulgent? These TikTokers carved out space for an outdoor jacuzzi and indoor sauna next to their home gyms:
Indoor Basketball Court
For some, the best exercise comes in the form of playing sports. You could be shooting hoops for hours, burning loads of calories, while still having fun.
Ask your builder if you have space for a basketball court in your home gym. It could be large enough to play a proper game or you could set up a hoop and free throw line.
If you love tennis, squash, or volleyball, your builder could design an indoor squash court or allocate space for a volleyball net.
Proper Lighting
Depending on where your gym is situated in your home, you’ll need to make some decisions on lighting. If it is on the ground floor or the second floor, for example, you can take advantage of natural light with strategically placed windows and skylights. These will also be handy for letting fresh air and ventilation into the room, too.
If your home gym is in the basement or garage, you’ll need to work with your builder to decide how to brighten up the space.
Don’t shy away from playing with colors like red or blue to add some intensity to your workouts. You can also add a pop of colorful whimsy with lighting like this TikToker, who had his gym fitted with smart lighting that he can adjust via a smartphone app:
Built-in Storage
Along with your built-in mini fridge and kitchenette, ask your builder to construct built-in storage so you can stash your medicine ball, resistance bands, and other workout accessories. That way, they’re out of sight, keeping your gym neat and tidy.
Your storage could be hidden underneath a window seat along a wall, or exposed and open like this TikToker’s:
This TikToker also has exposed shelving, as he proudly showcases his range of dumbbells and weights:
We also like the idea of floating shelves to store your yoga mats and other equipment so they’re within eyesight and easy reach.
Carmen Chai is an award-winning Canadian journalist who has lived and reported from major cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, London and Paris. For NewHomeSource, Carmen covers a variety of topics, including insurance, mortgages, and more.
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