With American obesity on the rise, it is more important than ever for people to be conscious of how they treat their bodies. Working out is imperative if you want to have the stamina and good health to ward off preventable diseases. For many people however, working out in a gym can be intimidating. Long equipment lineups, hidden membership costs, hygiene issues, and self consciousness all contribute to a growing distaste with the public gym. In order to solve this problem, more homeowners than ever are building their own home gyms, thereby seeing their waistlines shrink and property values soar.
When considering having a home gym, ask yourself if you will you use an existing room in the house, or build an addition? Certainly, adding on to your house is expensive, but think about the advantages that this option has to offer. You will add valuable square footage to your home, which prospective buyers will be able to use however they wish. Also, you may not have a suitable room already present in your house.
You need the room to have relatively high ceilings if you intend to jump rope or use a mini trampoline. There also needs to be enough space to fit your equipment and a few accessories without feeling cramped.You need to be able to stretch and move, particularly if you will be using aerobics tapes or dancing. By trying to fit your health routine into a small room, you will only become frustrated and lose motivation.
Privacy is another factor. You don't want to do your workout along the main thoroughfare of your home. You will become distracted and interrupted. Again, this will decrease your motivation, so try to carve out a private space where you aren't likely to be bothered. Implementing a 'do not disturb' rule will be helpful as well.
Basements provide the best option for home gyms because they are separate from the main living quarters. Aside from offering privacy, you will be less likely to disturb other family members with the noise of your workout music and clanging free weights. The basement is also a good choice because you don't have to worry about having sufficient floor support. The last thing you want is to have to worry that a dropped dumbbell or a large exercise machine will go crashing through your floor.
As far as the room itself, you will want it to be decorated simply, so as not to distract you from your workout. Cheerful paint colors will brighten your mood, and having a nice view of your garden or other focal point will make your time in the gym more enjoyable.
Good ventilation is a must in a home gym, so be sure to have adequate windows and fans.
For floors, you probably won't want wall to wall carpeting. Carpet can be difficult to work out on, so consider having hardwood or linoleum floors. They will make doing aerobics and yoga much more comfortable.
Once you have a space for your gym, you need to select the equipment. Before you rush out and buy everything that a professional gym has, figure out what your needs are. If you have stairs in your house, you won't need a stair climbing machine. If you bicycle around the neighborhood on weekends, a stationery bike would be a waste.
For beginners, free weights and a stability ball are good starting equipment pieces. Having one or two top quality machines such as a treadmill or an elliptical trainer are good for those who are already committed to an exercise program. So many of us buy expensive equipment with the best intentions, only to have our laundry piling on top of them a few months later. Don't buy anything that may become a dust collector. You will be better off using the machine at a public gym on occasion rather than spending thousands of dollars on something you won't use on a regular basis.
Decorate the room with a convenient towel cupboard, a small fridge for water bottles, and a large mirror are good investments. You will want to have a good sounding stereo system to get you moving. You may also decide to have a small television set in the room as well.
As one of the top three specialty rooms that buyers are looking for in a house, a home gym can be a great addition to your home. Increased property value and improved physical well being: this is the beauty of a home gym.
Related Articles
Is A Home Gym A Good Idea?
By: Adam Douglas | 16/11/2007 | Health
In the modern society, people are often too caught up in the day to day grind to really pay attention to less urgent matters in life such as losing weight, much less which local gym to join. Then there is the issue of having to get your gear ready and...
The Gym - friend or foe?
By: Lea Woodward | 13/09/2005 | Fitness
We have never been as unfit or unhealthy as we are
today. W hilst gyms have done a huge amount to encourage people
to get fitter and are now more accessible than ever, I.
Women & Weight Lifting - Unnatural Enemies
By: Aaron Vasquez | 28/06/2007 | Muscle Building
Summary: My girlfriend used to be terrified of lifting weights- she thought any lifting she did would make her huge and muscular. After doing some research and talking to her about it, she found out it wasn’t so bad- in fact, she really liked it! Now she feels great, and lifts weights every chance she gets- and she’s still not muscular.
Best Home Gyms - 8 Key Features That Make Up The Best Home Gym For You
By: Kathryn Oneill | 25/06/2007 | Non-Fiction
Looking for a home gym? Not every home gym is right for every person. Here are 8 key features to look for in order to find the best home gym for you.
How to Finance your Renovations
By: Jim Hirschman | 15/03/2007 | Real Estate
Renovating your home is one of the best ways to increase it's selling potential and the amount of profit that you can expect from the sale. Getting rid of tired old rooms and reworking them into funky and useful spaces can exponentially raise the value of a home and in today's real estate market, newly refinished rooms and renovations set properties apart from the bulk of the homes on the market.
Flush Out the Old: Give your Bathroom a Facelift
By: John Mejia | 01/10/2007 | Home Improvement
The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house, yet in terms of decor, it often gets neglected. This is a shame, as a well-organized and nicely decorated bathroom can provide a much-needed sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house. In fact for many mothers, the only alone time they get is when they go into the loo.
Home Sellers, Put Down your Toolbelts!
By: Jason Sisilli | 20/12/2007 | Real Estate
If you're planning on selling your home soon, put down the tool belt and forget the big renos. If you're going to sell within a year, the annual Cost vs.Value report says most renovations are just not worth it.
New Market Trends to Floor You
By: Justin Lee | 19/03/2008 | Remodeling
These lighter floors have been popular in Europe and are just being introduced over here in North America.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Home rental
By: angie | 21-07-2008
Hello, I am looking for a home to rent in or near California Missouri. It must have a garage or carport, please any help will be greatly appreciated. I have to find a new home by the middle of aug. my name is angela shirey and my e-mail address is shireyangie@aol.com. please help if you can thank-you
Angela
I just moved to stamford ct i cannot hook up my ...
By: JouJou | 21-07-2008
I just moved to stamford ct i cannot hook up my dvd player into tv correctly i need someone who can help me
My expensive Chi flat iron has a broken-off switch ...
By: ctsmi3 | 21-07-2008
My expensive Chi flat iron has a broken-off switch to turn it on and off. I would like to see if the manufacturer stands behind their product and can either repair or replace it.
James washington sconiers
By: LISA | 21-07-2008
where can i get information on james washington sconiers
Trial Sepations
By: Kim | 21-07-2008
My husband planned to go away for the weekend, camping with a large group of people, the evening he left he said this was going to be a trial separtation. I didn't talk to him all weekend and he just came home on Monday. I'm not sure what to think or how to handle this. Please help.
Lookin to rent out my home to nurses or medical ...
By: Mooki41 | 21-07-2008
lookin to rent out my home to nurses or medical students in need in miami fl.. who can i speak to?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Real Estate Articles
Find Exotic Range of Villas and Apartments in Goa
By: JumpHigher | 26/07/2008
The beach attraction of Goa has extensive since been a favorite holiday destination among tourists. For most of the years, Goa is bathed in sunshine and it is fringed with acres of smooth sands and tropical warm waters. Goa is a muddled conflict of the Indian and European cultures. Although well-known for its serene beaches and calm vibe, Goa is a mixture of luxuriant countryside, tranquil townships and active markets. It is a perfect place for party lovers, as it you will find beach parties an
Holiday Homes – Stimulating Retreats for Tired Souls
By: JumpHigher | 26/07/2008
Goa is also known as ‘pearl of the orient’. It is situated in the south western coast of the India. It is blessed with naturally beauty with an excellent coordination of vast expansive beaches, fertile plains and forested hills. Goa is the hottest spot for holidays. This place is the major tourist attraction as the climate is favorable throughout the year. It attracts millions of tourists because of its beaches, resorts and its scenic beauty.
TIC: How is the Real Estate Community Involved?
By: Kathryn Landry | 26/07/2008
With the demand of prime properties worldwide, real estate communities are boasting of profits and capital gains when it comes to their acquired real estate. But despite the knowledge of these investors in the business, there is a way to consolidate as many properties as they can to maximize their profits.
Six Reasons Why Fixer-uppers are the Key to Financial Freedom
By: Sal Vannutini | 26/07/2008
Second only behind real estate development, fixer-uppers and renovating properties are one of the absolute best ways to turn a profit and increase your overall worth. Finding homes and apartment complexes or condominiums that are in need of repair, but still structurally sound, of course, is an excellent way to begin making money faster than you ever thought possible.
Debunking the Four Most Common Myths About Fixer-uppers
By: Sal Vannutini | 26/07/2008
Perhaps you have a bit of skepticism when it comes to fixer-uppers and making money, as after all, if it's that lucrative of a process, why don't more people do it? While a precise answer to that has yet to be discovered, there are several fallacies, myths, or excuses in some cases, about the entire subject, and we'll debunk four of them right here and now.
Know the Facts About Apr Rate - Annual Percentage Rate Loan
By: Bryan Burbank | 25/07/2008
When applying or searching for a loan one of the most important components o the loan is the APR rate which is the Annual Percentage Rate. This is the rate of interest that you will be paying back on the money that you borrow. It is important that when looking for a loan that you do a comparison of this APR rate because the difference in even a fraction of a point can mean big savings to you over the life of the loan.
The Pros and Cons of Living in New Jersey
By: Art Gib | 25/07/2008
Are the costs of living in New Jersey worth the comforts? Decide for yourself by reading the following article.
Buying Properties - 3 Things That You Need To Do Before Buying Properties
By: Cheow Yu Yuan | 25/07/2008
Are you intending to buy a property in the near future? If you intend to, then there are things that you need to prepare before you buy a property. Today, if you flip through your local newspaper or browse through the different websites online, you can see that there are always new properties for sale listings being put up by sellers.
More from Adam Coyle
Color Me Sold! the Guide to Choosing Exterior House Paint
By: Adam Coyle | 17/10/2007 | Real Estate
Increasing the value of your home can be a complicated affair, with renovations, curb appeal, and general repairs all eating away at your time and budget. One of the simplest measures you can take to increase your property value is to give the exterior of your home a fresh coat of paint.
Home Theaters: your Ticket to a Home Buyer's Heart
By: Adam Coyle | 17/10/2007 | Real Estate
Specialty rooms are becoming quite popular these days. One of the most desired specialty rooms amongst home buyers is that of the home theater.
Going Onstage
By: Adam Coyle | 02/10/2007 | Real Estate
Once you've decided to sell your home, you're ready to stage it. But For better or worse, most of us are not the pushy stage mothers we need to be to make our houses really sell fast. The truth is, if you've lived in your home for a long time you probably have a great deal of love and memory attached to its quirks and loveable flaws, a tendency that can make the staging process a challenge.
Home Health: the Radon Issue
By: Adam Coyle | 13/08/2007 | Real Estate
An issue that seems to be of great concern to home owners these days is Radon. Radon is a radioactive gas that is produced by the natural decay of uranium found in soil. The fact that it is naturally occurring and incredibly harmful has become a major point of worry for many people.
Home Buying: Important Aspects
By: Adam Coyle | 13/08/2007 | Real Estate
In buying a home there are certain un-escapable things that will need to be seen to in order for the sale to finish properly. Some people try to shorten the closing time or save some money by skipping steps of the purchase process and nothing good ever comes of this.
Selling: Improvements or Concessions?
By: Adam Coyle | 12/07/2007 | Real Estate
When selling a property the average seller will try to maximize the value of the home in order to maximize their cash intake on the property's sale. However when thinking about and carrying out renovations sellers can sometimes go too far in trying to add value to the home.
Getting in on the Pre-construction Boom
By: Adam Coyle | 12/07/2007 | Real Estate
For many years investors have been seeing excellent returns on their real estate ventures. The question that many people have at this time is whether or not the investing world has been largely affected by the current state of affairs in the real estate market?
Knowing What you Want When Buying a Home
By: Adam Coyle | 14/06/2007 | Real Estate
Knowing what you want when buying a home can be somewhat hard to define. Sure you have some ideas about what you would like but which of those are absolutely necessary and which can you do without?
Finance 
