Home Gym Ideas to Pimp Your Workout Space

There are certain stretches and exercises that I prefer to do only in the privacy of my own home. You know the ones. I mean, there are some things that you can’t unsee, and I don’t want to be responsible for anybody’s therapy bills but my own.

And there are plenty of other exercises and workouts that I simply prefer to do at home for the sake of convenience, and I know I’m not alone. I realize that some folks truly require a gym environment or a group ex class to get their sweat on, but I can get in one hell of a workout all by myself, right in my own home. And I often do.

Now, while you can get your downward dog on just about anywhere, there are definitely a few things you can add to your workout space to make it a little more exercise-friendly. So, whether you’re a fan of following along with workout videos in your living room or have a whole room dedicated working up a sweat, we’ve got a few suggestions for you!

Cool It

You guys, I just get so hot when I exercise. Yes, even during yoga. And even when I have the air cranked. Having some air blowing directly on me is an enormous help, and recently I’ve been using the Dyson AM09 bladeless fan ($449.99)  to keep me cool. And it. is. awesome.

While not silent, the energy efficient fan is quiet enough that it doesn’t interrupt a video (or my concentration), and it’s super powerful. It can direct air in one steady stream (like, right onto my face!) or oscillate — either way, though, it cools (or heats) a room evenly and surprisingly quickly for something so small and slim. And, perhaps even better? You can make about a million adjustments (hot, cool, levels 1-10, oscillation, width of air flow) with a tiny remote control. Plus, you can tilt it with just the touch of a hand and even set a timer (you know, so it won’t run for hours if you happen to dose off during savasana …).

And it’s not just fabulous for workouts — I’ve been using it in the office, and have plans to set it up for some workouts on my back porch this summer. And! When it gets chilly this winter, I’ll even use it as a space heater.

Floor It

Flooring is tricky. You don’t want to ruin nice wood floors with sweat or scuff marks. Carpet can absorb sweat (and stink). Tile is awfully hard on the feet and joints. So what can you do?

If you have a dedicated space, there are loads of options for exercise flooring. You can buy interlocking rubber squares to take up just the amount of space you have available, or opt for a roll of rubber flooring. And if you don’t have a space that you can set up and leave, consider a gym rug that you can roll up and put away — just make sure it’s sturdy enough to resist wrinkling … and something antimicrobial to reduce the likelihood of stink is probably a pretty smart idea.

Track It

Having a whiteboard (or a whole wall covered in whiteboard paint!) is an awesome way to keep yourself motivated (and keep track of your progress). Write up your goals, quotes that inspire you, or just your workout with reps and time.

And while you can certainly use your phone as a timer, some of us like to leave our phones out of our workouts to avoid distraction. A dedicated interval timer is a reasonably small investment that could make a big difference. And, it might seem obvious, but having a clock — with a second hand — can be super, uhhh, handy. If I were you, I’d go with something fun and motivational, like this.

Color It

Thinking about painting your workout space? Consider what color might be best for your goals. Oranges and reds are great for motivation, while blue helps with focus, according to Triathlete. If certain fitness words or phrases truly speak to you, consider stenciling them somewhere you’ll see them when you’re really in need, or find some posters you love to decorate your walls.

Do you exercise at home often? What are your must-haves for a home practice? —Kristen