WE’VE GOT A GOOD GYM GOING
For many, the home gym stands as a symbol of extravagance and luxury, joining the ranks of a swimming pool, tennis court or four-car garage. While it is true that the home gym has evolved from a haphazard setup to become expansive rooms including free weights, weight machines, and cardio machines, home gyms do not have to break the bank to install and offer homeowners remarkable freedom and financial benefits. Here, Emma Warner Allen discusses how to design the perfect home gym with Richard Gremmo, managing director of Gremmo Homes.
Written by Emma Warner Allen.
Exercise and healthy eating are becoming increasingly popular lifestyle factors with young adults, with millennials heralded as the most health-conscious generation, but even for older Australians, or those recovering from an injury, having access to a safe, practical space to rehabilitate your muscles is essential. Whether you have limited time available to squeeze in a workout or are seeking a way to get some movement in should restrictions come into place again, home gyms are a luxury with something to offer everyone.
WHATEVER WORKS OUT FOR YOU
In years gone by, home gyms would conjure images of a few drab weights and yoga mats banished into dark, musty corners of the garage. Now, home gyms are often seen as a status symbol and in these instances, home gyms are associated with svelte personal trainers and top-of-the-line technology. Affirming this, “the detail of home gyms has increased in recent times. Previously homeowners may have set aside some space in a garage or spare room for a home gym – there is so much more equipment available now that dedicated home gyms are becoming more popular”, Gremmo states.
For those seeking to install a home gym, new builds tend to offer the best results. Having the flexibility to create exactly what you desire makes the process of building a home gym tantalising as, “the detail of a home gym space will depend on the requirements of the homeowner and the users.
Renovating an existing space will always have its limitations – a new home gym will ensure that you can consider all of the equipment and space that you need”, Gremmo explains.
Creating your own home gym means that you have more flexibility to design exactly what you want. Certain equipment will require specialised structures in place to support the weight and stress that the fixtures, and in turn the building itself, may be put under. For example, “body weight resistance equipment such as TRX suspension trainers will often require strong anchors in walls and ceilings – where possible it is always best to install these elements in the frame of the home”, Gremmo details. Therefore, in these instances building a home gym from scratch would be the most advisable course of action.
Constructing a new gym will come with a significant price tag attached, making renovating a redundant space an appealing option for those on a budget or not seeking to undergo significant building works. The building expert asserts, “you can always get things moving with a small, well set out space and rudimentary equipment. There is not a requirement to spend tens of thousands of dollars to create a space that is comfortable to train in.”
GOOD GYMS COME TO THOSE WHO WEIGHT
When planning a gym, it can be overwhelming deciding what to include and how to spatially arrange the room so that it is functional and aesthetically pleasing. To act as a starting point, consider the following three aspects when planning and designing your home, “[include] enough space for stretching, fresh air flow, and a well set out power supply”, Gremmo advises. However, “it is always best to have a chat with a qualified personal trainer about what you want to achieve from your training and the equipment you will require to achieve these results. From there your designer or builder can plan your space accordingly”, the building professional continues.
An appealing prospect during a long, hard workout, “air conditioning is an added bonus”, Gremmo asserts, “however, simple air flow should be enough to make the room comfortable.” Therefore, if you are seeking to renovate an existing space, make sure it is well ventilated and that the air can circulate freely to prevent stuffiness and odours lingering that will transform your gym into what can only be likened to a middle school changing room. As Gremmo cautions, “most importantly, you want to create a space that is enjoyable to train in – if the space is uncomfortable and you don’t enjoy spending 45 minutes a day in it, you will not use it.”
If you are choosing to build a home gym from the ground up, consider installing some changing rooms and showers near where the gym will reside. While this may seem like a pointless endeavour considering you will, hopefully, possess at least one functional washroom within your residence, it can make a thoughtful addition if you prefer working out with company. “In many instances homeowners will have friends over to train with them.” Gremmo explains, “shower facilities are a handy way to ensure that visitors can take a shower and move on with their day without having to move through the rest of the home.”
Overall, if you are seeking to incorporate a home gym into your residence, it is best to speak to both a personal trainer and a builder to gain their knowledge and expertise on the matter.