As the cold weather approaches and we begin to hunker down for the long, harsh winter, many of us are looking for physical activities we can do indoors. With gyms being partially restricted and personal hygiene becoming more important now than ever before, many of us are realizing just how important it is to have a quality home gym. We’ve compiled a list of things you should consider when designing your custom home gym.

Flooring
It’s important to think about what kind of activities you’ll be doing in your custom home gym when you are deciding which type of flooring to install. Hardwood flooring and sprung timber are a great flooring choice if you plan on using the space for dancing or aerobics, but it doesn’t work well if you’ll be weight lifting. You’ll want to use thick, dense, rubber non-slip flooring to absorb the shock of the weights if you drop them, as well as for noise reduction. It’s also easier on your joints. It’s best to avoid carpet because it reduces stability, which can lead to injuries, and it absorbs bacteria more than other flooring types. If you plan on having running machines or other high impact cardio machines, you should install isolated flooring. Be aware that isolated flooring will need to be installed early in the construction process, so it’s best to plan ahead if you want to go with that style of flooring.

Windows & Fresh Air
Custom home gyms can get stuffy and smelly without the proper ventilation and airflow, so it’s best to choose a room with lots of windows. It’s also nice to be able to look outside and receive natural sunlight when you’re working out, which is another reason why we recommend having lots of windows in your workout space. Floor-to-ceiling windows are ideal, and if they’re on tracks, you can easily convert your indoor gym to an outdoor gym on those days when it seems like a shame to work out indoors. If you are planning on having your gym on the upper level of your home, skylights are a great way to let lots of natural light in your gym.

Mirrors & Lighting
Having large floor to ceiling mirrors in your home gym will make it look and feel professional. Mirrors are a nice way to improve motivation and self-confidence, and they make your gym look larger than it is, so you’ll never feel confined. They can also boost the amount of light in your gym because they’ll reflect natural and artificial light. When it comes to choosing a lighting style for your custom home gym, you can stick with the style that you have throughout the rest of your home or customize it. A lot of homeowners choose to use recessed lighting because it creates a modern yet welcoming atmosphere. You should also consider adding lighting along the walls, and close to the floor, for an added boost of brightness. The best way to decide what kind of lighting you want in your custom home gym is to consider how much natural light you’ll receive based on the number of windows in the room and which direction they face.

Hygiene
It’s often overlooked, but you should think about your hygiene needs when designing your custom home gym. A whole-home air filtration system is an excellent way to eliminate any odours or airborne bacteria in your home gym, and it will benefit your entire home. We also recommended having a washroom with a shower in your gym if there isn’t one nearby already. It’s nice to be able to finish your work out and hop right into the shower, and you won’t have to completely derail your workout if you have to use the washroom.

Saunas & Steam Rooms
One of the biggest things people miss when they transition to using a home gym from a public gym is the sauna. Although they are a bit of a luxury, they can take your custom home gym to another level. Saunas have several health benefits because they flush the toxins out of your body, so even if you skip your workout, you can still do something good for your health. But there really is no better feeling than hopping into a sauna after an intense, sweaty workout and letting the heat soothe your muscles. Some homeowners opt to go for the full gym experience and include a sauna and a lap pool in their designs. The only limit to what you can do with your custom home gym design is your imagination.

Décor
When you’re designing your custom home gym, it’s important to consider, well, the design. Some people choose to go with a more industrial design because it makes them feel like they’re at a public gym, and others go for the rustic spa aesthetic. It all depends on your personal preference, but that’s the beauty of a custom home gym; you can design it however you’d like. If bright colours motivate you, go crazy, or maybe you prefer more of a Zen atmosphere with plants and a light colour palate. It’s your space, so it should suit your unique needs and style right down to the last detail.

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