We’ve been asked a few times recently to either incorporate a gym into new house or to factor in space into an existing one. This guest post by Stephanie Sylvester of Modernize outlines what you should consider when planning your new home gym:

Planning a home gym is a little more involved than just purchasing a piece of equipment and hoping you will use it. Planning this project with an architect will allow for an effectively functional and motivating home gym. At Modernize, we value the help of professionals to save homeowners in the long-run with their project planning expertise.

No More Cardio Clothes Stands

How many people do you know who say that their treadmill has turned into a place to hang clothes? If you can move exercise equipment out of the bedroom and into a designated place for exercise, a treadmill is more likely to do its job of keeping you in shape, rather than just keeping tomorrow’s work outfit wrinkle free.

Convenience

“I’ll never make it to the gym on time” will never be an excuse if your gym is a part of your home. You will save money in the long run by creating a home gym rather than paying dues monthly. An added bonus is the luxury of not caring what you will wear, since you will be working out in the privacy of your own home. Let the overpaying gym-buffs worry about what the rest of the meat market thinks of their clothes, while you focus on your own body and health.

Where To Begin?

Before you hire an architect, do your homework and write some lists. Are you a yogi or do you prefer to vary your routine with different exercise DVDs? An architect can plan for a yoga space that allows plenty of room for the exercise as well as mat, block, pillow, and blanket storage. If you prefer DVDs or exercises found on YouTube or other fitness apps, an architect can plan a design that allows you to watch these routines without sacrificing large grapevine strides to avoid hitting a wall. You will appreciate not having to rearrange the living room furniture to get a workout in. Make a list of all of the equipment you have or hope to include in your home gym. Exercise bikes, weights, benches, and assorted accessories like electronics, all need to be accounted for.

Materials

Your architect can help you decide which materials will work best in your space. Functionally, the floor should be low-maintenance and water resistant to avoid damage from bottle spills and perspiration. When it comes to decor, you may envision a serene spa-like environment for yoga or Pilates practice, in which a warm and inviting wood or bamboo floor may work best. Mirrors make a small room look larger, but they are also useful to watch your form. Perhaps more importantly, you will be able to see behind you so no one catches you in the act of hopping off the cardio machine for some lip synching when your favorite song begins to play. However you decide to decorate your home gym, it’s a great idea to save some photos of home gym looks that you love. Your architect can steer you towards the proper materials.