It is likely that you or someone you know has resolved to get physically fit in the new year. According to Statista, in 2021 the most popular New Year’s resolution was “doing more exercise or improving my fitness.” With so many people starting the year out strong with new resolutions to improve their bodies and their health, gyms can get overcrowded. A home gym can be a great alternative for those looking for less competition for prime equipment and a quieter exercise environment.
Studies* show that 80 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions fail before the start of February. Don’t let yourself fall into that trap. If you’ve committed to improving your fitness this year, Guardian Mortgage is here with some tips on how you can maximize your chances of success by exercising at home.
Create Your Ideal Workout Space
Finding space to exercise at home can be a hassle. However, if you can find space for a home gym, you’ll not only increase your chances for fitness success but also raise the value of your home.
Convertible space is key in today’s housing market.People want to use spaces in their homes for a wider variety of activities than ever before. A home gym is one of these spaces.
If you’ve committed to getting fit in the new year, doing so at home may be your best bet for success. At home, you can create a space specifically designed to meet your fitness goals and inspire you along the way. And you won’t have a swarm of resolutioners competing against you for fitness equipment and track lanes.
Convert a current room into a home gym
One option for your home gym is converting a room in your home that is no longer serving its original purpose. Do you have a:
- Guest bedroom but no guests,
- Kid’s bedroom but they’ve moved out,
- Game room that’s no longer necessary, or
- Third garage stall that’s sitting empty?
Could you convert your unused room into a home gym?
Add on to your home to create your dream space
If you don’t have convertible space, or the equipment you need to meet your fitness goals won’t fit into your current space, you may need to consider other options. Building an addition onto your home allows you to create your home gym from scratch and imagine your space from the ground up. Additional square footage is always good in the resale process as well. So not only could your add-on help you keep your fitness goals, it may eventually pay for itself if you decide to sell.
Looking for some home gym design inspiration? Check out Houzz and The Spruce for ideas to spark your imagination.
Select the Right Equipment To Meet Your Goals
It’s important to understand what equipment fits into your fitness plans and lifestyle before you sink money into your home gym.
Are you looking to strength train, complete cardio workouts, improve flexibility and stability, or perform a combination of many exercise types? Your workout goals will influence your decisions for equipment purchases. Consult with your doctor and a fitness professional before starting a workout plan to understand what will work best for you.
You’ll find that some exercise equipment requires less space – such as free weights, kettlebells and barbells. Other equipment begins to take up a little more space, including a plyo box or bench rack. Cardio equipment, such as an elliptical, stair stepper, or exercise bike will take up more room. You may also be interested in premium equipment such as a Peloton bike, Bowflex machine or MIRROR home gym. The size and quantity of equipment you decide to add to your home gym will impact the amount of space needed. Make sure you map out your equipment needs while designing your ideal space.
Set Realistic Fitness Goals
Setting goals you can accomplish becomes crucial to the success of any fitness plan. If your goals are too lofty, you may get discouraged quickly when you don’t see progress and give up quickly.
When setting your goals, ensure each goal is measurable and contains built-in time limits and progress checks. Consider using a Fitbit, AppleWatch, or apps such as MyFitnessPal to track your goals. If you are not meeting your goals, don’t give up completely. It’s better to adjust your goals than to abandon them altogether.
Follow Fitness Content Creators To Stay Inspired
One way to stay motivated is to follow content creators that align with your fitness goals, especially if you’ve always enjoyed taking fitness classes at the gym.
There are endless creators on YouTube offering free workouts in every format, from Zumba to walk-at-home workouts, yoga to HIIT. If you like to have your workout in the palm of your hand, check out fitness apps. In your preferred app store, you’ll find a plethora of fitness apps targeted toward your specific goals. Looking for some of the top fitness apps for 2022? Check out Prevention magazine’s “30 Best Workout Apps to Boost Your Fitness in 2022, According to Trainers and Reviews.” DVDs also offer a great option for at-home workouts – with selections providing a variety of fitness content featuring high- and low-intensity workouts to meet your needs.
It’s possible to capitalize on your New Year’s resolutions and enrich your home, as well as your life. With the right motivation and a space to inspire you, you can accomplish your fitness goals without ever leaving your house. Reach out to a Guardian Mortgage professional if home changes will help you reach your goals.
*Tips for Making Sure Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick, Times-Tribune, January 3, 2020.
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