The average gym membership can cost anywhere from $10 to $50 per month, depending on amenities and fees. That doesn’t begin to factor in other associated costs, like the commute. If you’re considering putting in the work to get in shape, it might make more sense to look at repurposing space in your home for a home gym. At Prime Storage, we can assist with your storage needs and help open the space in your home for you to make the home gym of your dreams. At Prime Storage, we’re well-versed in the technique of reclaiming room in your home; let us be your personal trainer and help you make significant gains when it comes to building the right kind of home gym.
Why You Should Build a Home Gym
Gym memberships are only worthwhile if you actually use them. If you’re someone who doesn’t make full use of their facilities or equipment on a regular basis, you’re wasting money.
In contrast, a home gym, has a lower barrier to entry—especially if you start small. Instead of a monthly fee, you’re just paying the “set-up” fee of purchasing equipment. In addition, you don’t have to worry about scheduling time with a personal trainer or visiting during set access hours. This is even more attractive if you’re someone who works from home but wants to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. Just take a few steps from your workspace to your gym space and get exercising!
How to Build a Home Gym
Once you’ve made the decision to commit to a home gym, it’s time to make it happen. Like any healthy habit, preparation is key. The biggest obstacle to building a home gym is often finding the space to do so. Common spaces for home gyms include:
- Garages
- Basements
- Spare bedrooms
Depending on the type and size of equipment you plan on purchasing, you may not even need to dedicate a room to working out. Some workout equipment can be easily tucked behind couches, rolled up, or set aside in closets until needed. All you really need is enough space to move them out.
Basic Gym Equipment to Purchase
The real question of building a home gym is what kind of equipment to buy. There’s a real temptation to buy something expensive and big, but many home fitness experts recommend starting small. If you’re not sure about your commitment level to a new exercise routine, it makes more sense to buy entry-level equipment and upgrade later as you use it.
This is especially true if you’re not used to a normal fitness routine. A good set of resistance bands, free weights, or a kettlebell can provide a full range of strength-training opportunities, and that doesn’t even factor in the flexibility of bodyweight training. Bodyweight training often requires no equipment at all beyond your own body and can be equally rewarding.
Depending on where you’re placing your fitness equipment, you may need to buy some padding for the floor—such as interlocking floor mats—to help reduce shock on your joints and muscles. After all, concrete is notoriously hard on our bodies.
If you’re a budding yoga enthusiast, consider buying a high-quality mat and placing it in front of your TV for guided training via one of thousands of fitness influencers. The same can be said for bodyweight and cardio training, too. There’s no need to invest in a pricey personal trainer when the full internet is at your disposal.
Advanced Fitness Equipment
Of course, you might find that you quickly outpace the need for basic equipment and need something more. In cases like this, you may want to invest in something a little more robust. Stationary bikes with built-in screens and trainers, or mirrors you hang up with weights and gadgets, can seem like attractive options—especially when you consider the personalized approach some of them can take.
The scheduled nature of more advanced and interactive workout equipment and real-time feedback, along with leaderboard position, can act as a genuine motivator. But at the end of the day, you’re paying a subscription fee for these amenities in addition to approximately $2,000 for the piece of equipment—something that, long-term, may cost more than a gym membership.
If you find that you really do need to upgrade your equipment, consider opting for higher-quality versions of your existing gear. Adjustable dumbbells, for example, can reduce your home gym’s footprint, and there are pieces of equipment that fold down for easy storage under beds and on shelves.
If you do find yourself in need of a bigger piece of equipment to change up your training routine, consider browsing online. You’ll find no shortage of like-minded fitness enthusiasts trying to offload rowing machines, bicycles, and weight benches. Always inspect used equipment before you buy, and make sure you ask lots of questions.
Finding Space for Your Home Gym
If you’ve got the physical space for a gym, but it’s currently occupied by furniture or other possessions, you’ll need to relocate them. Instead of shuffling these items from room to room, consider finding an external off-site space to store them, such as a storage unit at a nearby facility. Whether you need climate-controlled storage or an external unit, it’s usually pretty easy to find an affordable space to move your items into to give you the physical space for your home gym.
Visit Prime Storage For Your Home Gym Storage Needs
Building an affordable, convenient home gym does not have to involve investing thousands of dollars. All you need is a little space and the ambition to improve your life, and it all starts with little steps. One of those steps can be repurposing a room in your home and trusting a nearby self storage facility to help accomplish your goals.
Prime Storage is proud to help our friends and neighbors as they make space for whatever they need, whether it’s building a home gym or creating a hobby room. Visit your nearest Prime Storage facility today to find the right sort of storage unit to help make your fitness goals a reality.
