5 Tips for Designing a Home Gym

December 22, 2022

Being able to design and build a custom home means you get to decide what you want in your home design. If you enjoy being active year-round and want a dedicated space in your home to work out, a home gym can be the perfect thing to include in your custom home design. Here are some tips for designing a home gym to keep in mind as you think about yours:

1. Consider the Location of Your Home Gym

One of the tips for designing a home gym is to consider the location and where you want to put it in relation to other rooms in your custom home design. Where you want to put a home gym and how big it is will depend on the other rooms you want in your home design and the square footage. It can be convenient to have it as a dedicated space inside your home.

In some cases, a room on the ground level or upper level makes more sense while it may make more sense to put a home gym in the basement in other cases. In some cases, it may even make more sense to design a home gym that is detached from your home and is a backyard structure.

If you have a pool, it may be more convenient to save the square footage in your home design and build a pool house in the backyard that also contains the home gym. Insulated sheds can also create a separate space for activities. Turning one into a home gym or game room is one of the ways to use a shed.

2. Think About the Size and Layout of Your Home Gym

Another big part of designing a home gym is figuring out how big it should be and the layout. How you want to use the gym and the equipment you may need will have an effect on how much space you need to allocate in your home design for it.

If you want a treadmill, weightlifting equipment, and some floor space for free movement, you’ll need to plan for a larger room that can handle all of those things. This can also help inform how much flexibility you have with the layout.

Depending on the rest of the home design and things you want to include in the gym room itself, you may need to consider other layouts or at least know what potential layouts will and won’t work for what you need. This information will also help inform the best flooring, proper ceiling height, and more.

3. Plan for Proper Home Gym Lighting and Ventilation

Any workout space needs enough space, the right lighting, and enough ventilation. You want to be able to see what you’re doing and get whatever boost you can from having enough light. You also don’t want the room to become oppressively humid or stuffy in the middle of your workout.

Making sure you have a source of natural light, plenty of the right lighting options, and good ventilation in the room can help ensure it’s a comfortable place you want to spend time in and work out in. Plus, planning all of this out beforehand ensures your builder has a good idea of where to place windows, lighting fixtures, fans, etc., and plan electrical outlets accordingly.

4. Determine Audio/Visual Needs

One of the overlooked tips for designing a home gym is to determine audio/visual needs. You may include a mirror to brighten up the space and monitor form, but what about things you need to listen to or watch?

Built-in speakers can be a great option for people who want to immerse themselves in a great playlist or who regularly follow verbal cues or instructions for their workouts. Portable speakers can be a good decor option for something less permanent.

When following workout videos, do you prefer them on your phone or would you want a bigger screen? A TV in your home gym can be useful for larger visuals if you follow along with instructional videos or workout videos, or if you just like catching up on some shows while working out.

5. Figure Out Other Essentials and Accessories

Your home gym should be designed and geared to suit your needs. Although there are some standard home gym must-haves, there will be other essentials and accessories you will want to have on hand. Outside of decor and the standard equipment, here is a short list of some other things to get you started:

  1. Water Bottle
  2. Gym Towel
  3. Wet Wipes (to Clean Equipment)
  4. Exercise or Yoga Mat
  5. Stability Ball
  6. Dumbbells
  7. Athletic Shoes
  8. Medicine Balls
  9. Foam Rollers

In addition to all of the other stuff you will want to have in your home gym, also think about where it will go in the room and how you will store it. Aside from built-in storage you might include in the design, this can help you plan out other things like tables, storage cabinets, etc. that you might want in the room too.

Home gyms are one of the hot housing trends. If you’re thinking of including one in your custom home, these are just a few tips for designing a home gym that can help inspire you for yours. If you’re ready to bring your dream home to life, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090!