Tips For Updating Your Workout Space

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If you’re a bit of an at-home gym rat, chances are you spend a lot of time in your personal workout space. But if the area and your equipment haven’t been updated lately, it may be time for a change. Using old or ineffective equipment is frustrating and will negatively impact the effectiveness of the time you spend training — not to mention, it could be potentially dangerous if missing pieces, cushioning, or other small parts. Even more, if the space just isn’t functional or safe, it’s difficult to motivate yourself to work out and can detract from your goals.

If you want to invest in your health and safety this year, one of the best ways to do it is by updating your workout space with new equipment, safety upgrades, and even new storage options.

Choose the Right Equipment

Your workout space will only be helpful and enjoyable if you’ve stocked it with the right type of equipment for your needs. Start by evaluating the current equipment that you have and considering whether additional equipment would improve your workouts. For instance, if you have deep vein thrombosis or another condition that makes high-impact exercise impractical or unsafe for you, then investing in equipment that allows for low-impact exercise is a must.

When choosing the right gym equipment for you, think about the types of exercise that you need to do and the improvements that you’re looking to make to your body. If you’re targeting a certain area of your body, like your abdomen, choosing appropriate equipment that targets that area is key to getting a good workout in.

If you’re limited in terms of the amount of equipment that you can purchase or store, look for equipment that’s versatile and that allows you to do many different types of exercises. One example of versatile gym equipment is a weight set, since you can do many different exercises targeting many different body areas by using a single set of weights.

You’ll also want to consider how adaptable some of this equipment is, especially if you’re sharing the workout space with someone else, or if the space serves another purpose when you’re not working out. Foldup equipment, like a treadmill, can help to save space. Smaller equipment, like hand weights and balance balls or platforms, can be easily stored away when you’re done working out.

Focus on Safety

To keep your workout enjoyable, you also need to focus on safety. Take a look around your workout space and look for potential hazards, like electrical cords that are run across the open floor in a room. You can easily hide electrical cords by running them behind and through furniture. If you have to run cords through large spaces, try to run them along walls, instead. Make sure that any exposed cord that’s a tripping hazard is covered by a rug or taped down onto the floor.

Keeping your home gym germ-free is another important aspect of keeping your health and the health of anyone else who may use the equipment protected. Wipe down your equipment with a towel after each use, and keep a spray bottle of disinfectant handy to do more thorough cleanings. If you’re drinking out of a reusable water bottle, make sure that you thoroughly wash it between each use. And, when it comes to your gym clothes, wash them at a minimum water temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that all of the germs are killed.

Consider the safety of the current flooring that you’re using, too. You’ll want a textured, non-slip flooring for the space at a minimum, but if you’ll be doing cardio exercises or floor exercises, you may need a more specialized flooring with a softer surface or with improved shock absorption to keep you both comfortable and safe.

When it comes to choosing the best home gym flooring, think about the ways that you use your gym, as well as the budget that you have. Qualities like strength, durability, shock absorption, and even whether the floor gets wet when you sweat on it all matter, and finding the right flooring will be a matter of balancing these qualities.

If you don’t have the budget or aren’t ready to put down more flooring, consider investing in a few foam maters or some yoga mats that you can put down for a temporary fix when you’re working out.

Create a Well-Organized Space

To update your workout space, focus on storage, too. Storage lockers can help to organize the space so that the room has a clean presentation, which is particularly important if it serves multiple purposes. Plus, with all of your items well-organized, you’ll be able to quickly find the workout supplies and equipment that you need, saving you time and keeping your workout on track.

While you’re focusing on reinvigorating the aesthetics of the space, consider livening the room up with a fresh coat of paint. Intense paint colors, like a bright yellow, can add energy to the room, helping to keep you enthused and excited about your workout.

If you don’t enjoy your workout space, it can be difficult to stay motivated and stick to your workout goals. By putting some time and money into updating the workout space, you can make your exercise more effective and enjoyable for better results. Good luck!

Dan Matthews is a writer with a degree in English from Boise State University. He has extensive experience writing online at the intersection of business, marketing, lifestyle, and health. You can find him on Twitter and LinkedIn.