Key Things to Consider When Carving Out Space to Exercise at Home
Time to step up your fitness programme? Read these tips on how to create the best home workout space
Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or a sporadic exerciser, these ideas will help you to carve out the perfect space to meet your workout goals. The area doesn’t have to be big, but it does have to be carefully considered. From quiet yoga corners to energetic zumba zones, there’s a style to suit everyone. Here’s how to plan yours.
Keep it airy
Any kind of workout will require a well-ventilated room, and the more intense the workout, the more important this becomes.
Ensuring your room has a good airflow, like this space with VELUX windows, will help to keep your workout space cool and hygienic, so make sure you can easily open windows and doors to prevent the space from getting stuffy.
Inspired by these room designs? Browse our Houzz Professionals Directory to find a local interior designer today.
Any kind of workout will require a well-ventilated room, and the more intense the workout, the more important this becomes.
Ensuring your room has a good airflow, like this space with VELUX windows, will help to keep your workout space cool and hygienic, so make sure you can easily open windows and doors to prevent the space from getting stuffy.
Inspired by these room designs? Browse our Houzz Professionals Directory to find a local interior designer today.
Decide if you need a screen
If you regularly follow an online class or tutorial, you’ll need an internet connection and easily accessible TV to watch as you work out. A wall-mounted TV, like the one in this room by Stiff & Trevillion, might be easier to view than a wobbly laptop screen, so if you can create your workout zone near a TV, it should make life easier.
You might need to clear a space in the living room for this, so storage will be extra important here, to make sure you can unpack and repack your kit easily. If you aren’t able to find space near an existing TV, consider setting up a way to elevate your laptop, so you aren’t trying to squint at it on the floor.
If you regularly follow an online class or tutorial, you’ll need an internet connection and easily accessible TV to watch as you work out. A wall-mounted TV, like the one in this room by Stiff & Trevillion, might be easier to view than a wobbly laptop screen, so if you can create your workout zone near a TV, it should make life easier.
You might need to clear a space in the living room for this, so storage will be extra important here, to make sure you can unpack and repack your kit easily. If you aren’t able to find space near an existing TV, consider setting up a way to elevate your laptop, so you aren’t trying to squint at it on the floor.
Consider hygiene
Sports equipment and kit will get cleaned regularly at a gym or studio, so don’t forget to keep up the same hygiene practices at home.
Wiping down mats, blocks and ropes each time you use them will keep them fresh. This is particularly important if you’re likely to be sharing the workout space with others.
Spritzing mats with an essential oil spray, such as lavender or eucalyptus, at the end of a workout will add that luxury studio feel and leave your home smelling delicious, too.
Sports equipment and kit will get cleaned regularly at a gym or studio, so don’t forget to keep up the same hygiene practices at home.
Wiping down mats, blocks and ropes each time you use them will keep them fresh. This is particularly important if you’re likely to be sharing the workout space with others.
Spritzing mats with an essential oil spray, such as lavender or eucalyptus, at the end of a workout will add that luxury studio feel and leave your home smelling delicious, too.
Make space for a mirror
If you go to a gym or yoga studio, you’ll often be faced with a wall of mirror, so you can work on your posture and monitor your improving fitness.
This isn’t strictly necessary at home, but some workouts, such as yoga, ballet or barre, might be improved by having access to a mirror if you have space for one, as in this beautiful room by Reena Sotropa In House Design Group.
If you go to a gym or yoga studio, you’ll often be faced with a wall of mirror, so you can work on your posture and monitor your improving fitness.
This isn’t strictly necessary at home, but some workouts, such as yoga, ballet or barre, might be improved by having access to a mirror if you have space for one, as in this beautiful room by Reena Sotropa In House Design Group.
Sort some suitable storage
Workout equipment can take up lots of space, so planning in some storage will help to head off any clutter before it starts to build up.
To see how much storage you’ll need, take stock of all the kit you have, and consider if you’re likely to be adding to it in the near future. Next, see if you can make space in a wardrobe, under a bed, or in dedicated storage units like these by Meghan Carter Design.
Keeping everything together will make it much easier for you to grab your kit and get going.
Workout equipment can take up lots of space, so planning in some storage will help to head off any clutter before it starts to build up.
To see how much storage you’ll need, take stock of all the kit you have, and consider if you’re likely to be adding to it in the near future. Next, see if you can make space in a wardrobe, under a bed, or in dedicated storage units like these by Meghan Carter Design.
Keeping everything together will make it much easier for you to grab your kit and get going.
Create ambience
Whether you use exercise to give you an energy boost or to help you relax, you’ll want to create the right atmosphere for your workout, so have a think about the mood you’d like to create.
If you want a calm yoga space like this room, you’ll need to get rid of any visual clutter and keep distractions to a minimum.
Alternatively, if you like to do a fast-paced workout at home and need a boost, bright colours, motivational artwork and interesting decor will help to give you something to focus on.
Whether you use exercise to give you an energy boost or to help you relax, you’ll want to create the right atmosphere for your workout, so have a think about the mood you’d like to create.
If you want a calm yoga space like this room, you’ll need to get rid of any visual clutter and keep distractions to a minimum.
Alternatively, if you like to do a fast-paced workout at home and need a boost, bright colours, motivational artwork and interesting decor will help to give you something to focus on.
Don’t forget the neighbours
If you live in a flat or terraced house, soundproofing should be considered to make sure you don’t annoy the neighbours with your 1980s aerobics playlist. Jumping around on a wooden floor directly above the flat below isn’t going to win you any good neighbour prizes, either.
Cushioned flooring, plenty of mats and a considerate music volume will all help to keep everyone around you happy.
If you live in a flat or terraced house, soundproofing should be considered to make sure you don’t annoy the neighbours with your 1980s aerobics playlist. Jumping around on a wooden floor directly above the flat below isn’t going to win you any good neighbour prizes, either.
Cushioned flooring, plenty of mats and a considerate music volume will all help to keep everyone around you happy.
Think about safety
Safety should also be a consideration, particularly if you have children at home. Store heavy sports equipment somewhere secure, and make sure any trip hazards, such as yoga belts, blocks and balance balls, are all kept out of reach when not in use.
Tell us…
Has this inspired you to carve out a space to get fit at home? Let us know in the Comments
Safety should also be a consideration, particularly if you have children at home. Store heavy sports equipment somewhere secure, and make sure any trip hazards, such as yoga belts, blocks and balance balls, are all kept out of reach when not in use.
Tell us…
Has this inspired you to carve out a space to get fit at home? Let us know in the Comments
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The first thing to consider is just how often you’ll be using the space and for what type of exercise. If you want a dedicated spot for a daily workout, it makes sense to carve out a permanent area in your home, like this room by Backyard Buildings, where you can get the set-up just right and not worry about moving it every day.
If you’re more likely to just roll out the yoga mat once or twice a week, then a corner of a communal room is probably all you’ll need, so see if there’s a space that can be cleared easily and stake that out as your spot.