Do your New Year’s resolutions require you to exercise more frequently? A gym membership requires you to drive for a workout, which could be a hassle for people with busy schedules. In addition, the vast crowds that fill clubs after the New Year are difficult to control.
The less crowded, free alternative to exercising outside depends on the weather. It could hinder you from working out if it’s too hot or cold.
If you’re determined to improve your fitness think about converting your empty basement into a home fitness center. Although it may appear to be an overwhelming and expensive procedure, we’ve come up with an outline of steps to creating your home gym into a reality.
1: Waterproofing the Basement
Stopping water leaks is the first step in converting your basement into a gym. Suppose you’re not confident in completing the process and don’t want to risk harming pricey gym equipment. In that case, we advise consulting a professional to ensure the leaks are correctly sealed. The assistance of an outsider will go a long way in identifying any other issues that may arise, for example, the effects of mold. The simple act of patching the area without problems addressing mold can quickly lead to more extensive repairs.
2: Wall Floor Covering
Based on whether you’re taking the walls down and beginning from scratch, you could either go to frameworks or look at flooring and paint choices. If framing is the next step, sheetrock and insulation are essential. You don’t want the basement gymnasium to become too warm or chilly. Adding insulation can make heating and cooling the area easier; however, hiring professional building expertise may require hiring.
If the basement is insulated, you can begin the fun areas of renovating your basement. Select the colors and patterns that you can use for the basement. But remember that although hot pink might seem like a positive and fun option, you will be gazing at the shades daily.
Regarding flooring, think about what is most compatible with the equipment you usually utilize. Although pricey and straightforward to maintain, tiles are susceptible to breaking if heavy objects drop on them. Ultimately, this could cost you and consume your precious time to make repairs.
Wood flooring is a beautiful alternative, but it risks warping or scratching in time. Dropping dumbbells could be a source of the process of deterioration.
Carpeting padding, rubber, and flooring are the best alternatives for your home gym. Along with preventing flood damage, these flooring options can aid in removing gym sounds away from your home.
Alongside carpeting and acoustic wall panels, ceiling tiles are other options to consider when constructing your basement fitness center. The sound of weights, music, and equipment can sound extremely noisy. These noise-canceling devices will keep your family from being disturbed by various gym sounds.
3: Ventilation and Lighting
Be sure to consider proper ventilation and lighting before renovating your basement. Verify building codes before starting any major work, like installing windows.
If your home is dim and suffocating, exercising will soon become an unpleasant part of your routine. Making a light and airy space can help you feel more excited about exercising at your home fitness center.
Although windows may not be possible, freestanding or recessed lights can be an excellent way to brighten your basement. Since freestanding lighting fixtures could cause obstructions and pose a security risk, Recessed lighting is ideal. Instead of windows, mirror walls can light up your gym area and make your space appear larger without breaking the bank.
You have two choices if you are thinking about how to air-condition your gym effectively. Ceiling or freestanding fans are cheap ways to improve air circulation. However, they don’t provide the capability to regulate the temperature of the gym in your basement. If this is an issue, you might consider installing a separate HVAC system for your basement. It will allow you to enjoy an environment more conducive to exercising.
4: Measuring Usable Space
Don’t look at the entire space when designing your gym space. Instead, look at the room that will use. Inconveniently placed or odd angles pilasters will be a problem for your gym’s space. Take only the area you can use and consider the height of the ceiling. A good guideline in measuring the space available is to allow machines for exercise, like treadmills and ellipticals, around 30 square feet to run safely. Exercise bikes and freestanding weights take up less space.
5: Selecting the Best Gym Equipment
After you’ve figured out the arrangement of your home gym, you should think about the equipment you plan to use. Although a rowing machine might appear like a fun method to get fit, it’s time to consider the suitable device for your needs. Do not waste your money or space with machines that collect dust.
Choose equipment that you can use for a long time. Even while exercise cycles, weight machines, treadmills, and ellipticals are standard gym equipment, choosing the most delicate equipment depends on what you prefer to use for exercise.
6: Picking Out Gym Extras
After you have your exercise equipment selected and you are ready to think about the additional space you have that is available. The addition of other features goes in a big way to keep your area lively and remain motivated.
If you love playing music when working out, consider investing in a stereo audio system to beware of uncomfortable, tangled headphones.
Most gyms have televisions to offer a fixed spot and entertainment for long cardio sessions. The television shows you love or sporting events can help your workout routine pass fast and enjoyable.
Are you looking for a cheap, simple alternative? You can add a mini fridge and a towel rack. They may appear to be unnecessary things, but having a few conveniences can increase your likelihood of using your basement gym.
A home gym that you can build located in the basement of your home is a great option to ensure you stick to your weight loss resolution for the New Year. Apart from saving you time and effort to get to the nearby gym, this could even help you save money. The membership cost can quickly add up and deter people from sticking to their fitness routines over the long term. You might consider making your basement your fitness center to help keep your fitness routine on track for the Year ahead.
A wide range of talents is required while remodeling your basement. At Ottawa Home Pros, we combine the entire process under one roof. For more information, email info@ottawahomepros.com or call us at (613) 288-9145.
