Considering a Home GYM?

Considering a Home GYM  

An increasing requirement for many Buyers

Home GYMS’s are becoming more and more popular for three main reasons;

1. Covid-19 has closed many GYM’s across the country meaning you cannot go. Even if your GYM is open, you may not want to go due to concerns about catching or spreading the virus and lastly some Gyms are allocating time slots which you need to book or/and are requiring masks to be worn while you are there. All of this makes going to the GYM less appealing for some.
   
   
2. The rapid improvement in home fitness equipment and online class experience has caused many to switch from the GYM to working out at home. The convenience of classes on demand means you can workout on your own schedule. You do not have to fight to get a spot at Crossfit, Orange Theory, Spin, Barra etc. Your favorite instructor is right there waiting for you any time you want!!



3. Cost, and this could lead you towards a home Gym or not!! If you are going to a smaller/boutique Gym you are likely paying $100-$300 dollars, roughly!! Of, course 24 Hour Fitness and similarly GYM’s have some great membership pricing and if that is your jam, rock on!!
   
   A home gym can be cheap and cheerful or super expensive. Are you using a floor mat and some dumbbells or a full Rogue rig with bench, rack and pull up bar!! The initial cost for your equipment can be significant and it may take a few years to breakeven compared to going to a GYM. Cost is a tricky variable in this decision-making process.

Things to consider when looking for a home with home GYM (short read)

• Ceiling

Height, ventilation, structural strength, insulation

• Walls

Structural strength, material, electrical outlets

• Floors

Structure strength, material

• Location of GYM in home

Do I have enough space? Will I disturb the household? Will I be disturbed by the household?

• Proximity of Neighbors

It can get noisy working out at times and you do not want a complaining neighbor or partner

• Equipment cost and quality

Personal preference, is it going to last, fit for purpose, can I afford it?!!

 

Longer read!!

Alright, so you want a GYM, be it in the basement, shed, spare room or garage!! You have told me at the buyer consultation it is on your list of preferences, likely as a need but possibly as a want (Needs Vs Wants).

I am going to drill down on that a little and ask you what equipment you would have? How much space is needed? How many people will be working out? Are you jumping? Do you drop weights? Do you need to support equipment off the walls or ceiling?

Ceilings, Walls & Air

If your husband John is 6ft tall and loves pullups, then your ceiling height needs to be sufficient for this. Likewise, if your wife…Sarah loves rope climbs you will need a structurally stable ceiling/roof to support this. Overall, something to think about is ventilation and insulation, especially if outside access is limited such as a basement. You want your workout area to be comfortable and healthy. Freezing to death in the garage due to no insulation or working out in the stale air of the basement is no good.

Floors & GYM Location

Preferably you want a flat floor area with some thick rubber matting or similar material. This is so sound can be absorbed and equipment protected when you drop weights or use a jump rope. Concrete floors commonly found in garages will have the rubber covering of your jump rope in shreds. They can be nosy, absorbing little impact and if not coated they can be pretty dusty.

Even some old carpet or kids floor pads can be helpful. Lastly, plenty of people like to anchor equipment to the floor so it needs to be fit for purpose. Likewise, a fully loaded GYM on the second floor is a substantial amount of weight!! Not a pretty picture seeing 6ft john coming through the living room ceiling with barbell in hand!!

Proximity of Neighbors

If you drop weights, play loud music or generally make a lot of noise you may have an angry neighbor at your door. Dropping weights or jumping (jump rope, box jumps) when living above people will drive them crazy!! Likewise, having the garage door open and blaring music at 6 a.m. with your workout buddies is unlikely to go down well with Jack and Jill next door and their one-month-old baby, Jake!!

Equipment Quality & Cost

Pricing around is crucially, Rogue is the leader for a lot of equipment and their stuff is awesome but other great options include Titan Fitness, PRx and Vulcan, often at lower prices. I got a plyometric box for $100 bucks from Titan Fitness compared to $200+ from Rogue. Is the Rogue one better? Yes, it is, but I do not need a box that heavy. The choice is up to the individual.

My Own Story

Here is what I have done for my own home GYM, which is by no means finished! The weather can get cold in CO, so I got an indoor exercise bike for those colder days!! Ahh…not a Peloton which I am sure is fantastic but are more expensive than Schwinn, Bowflex, Echelon and Nordic.

After much research I went with the Schwinn/Bowflex (same company make both bikes). This bike is significantly cheaper than the Peloton and you can still use the Peloton app which is pretty darn good for cycling and other fitness classes.

I setup the gym in the garage despite having a basement option because the airflow is better, the ceiling is 14ft high and I disturb no one when I workout…well, maybe the odd neighbor!! I got a yoga mat, some dumbbells, kettlebell, plyometric box, barbell and jump rope. That is, it for now. Ideally, I will add a rig and some other fun bits and bobs!!

For me, I love the convenience of working out when I want and during this pandemic my GYM was closed for a time and when it opened, I choose not to go as we have some very high-risk family members and I don’t want the burden of potentially giving them COVID-19.

However, I really miss in-person classes, socializing with friends there and throwing down against them in the workouts. Peloton classes have helped that a little, but I do not feel you can ever replace the atmosphere of an in-person class!! I look forward to returning to the GYM!!

If you are looking for a home capable of meeting your home GYM needs then consider the above, give me a call and let us get house hunting!!