Setting up a home gym can have immense benefits.
These can be in terms of time management, flexibility to train as you would like & being able to set up a space truly unique to your needs.
The great value of a personal training area has also been highlighted in the circumstances of 2020. Many people who worked (and are working) from home and developed their own gym space discovered new freedoms within work and training, which can lend itself to a healthier life balance.
So, you want to set up a home gym, but where do you start?
Firstly, you will need to consider space. How much space do you have, and do you own or rent the property you are using? If you are renting, chances are you will have to take an extra degree of caution setting up the space (depending on your landlord situation & what sort of exercise you will be doing, you may also need to discuss with them what you intend to do with the area). Another element to consider is location. If you are dropping heavy barbells, it’s worthwhile thinking about whether or not your neighbours will appreciate the sporadic crashing of a bar for one to two hours, five times a week. Be considerate and if necessary, try and find an area that will have less effect on others.
Determine the equipment you need
Now, you’ve found an adequate place in your dwelling that will serve your needs and have minimal effect on others. Next is to determine exactly what equipment you will need. This is where cementing the goals of your program is very important to then building your program around that. If your main focus is increasing strength, buying equipment like wallballs and skipping ropes isn’t necessary. Setting up a gym space is not cheap. If you need to work to a budget, using your program as a purchase guide can be a great way to prioritise what equipment you buy.
As an example, for your program you may only need a barbell, bumper plates, fractional plates, a portable pullup bar and a few kettlebells. On top of these purchases you will also need mats (and a platform if you want to get more out of your lifting), a squat rack, collars and chalk. With these purchases alone, you will be looking at well over $1000. If you don’t immediately need to buy plyo boxes, dumbbells and a GHD machine, don’t buy them! Spending more money than you need to on equipment that will just gather dust for the first phase of your program is not wise (plus you will be filled with regret. And who wants that whilst building something as exciting as a home gym?!).
As you build your gym and get used to training in your own space (because training on your own can be pretty tough some days) as well as completing the first phase of your program, you can then look to your renewed goals and get more equipment from there. Think of building a gym as like refreshing your house. You might start with painting the walls and ceiling which will take a good chunk of time and money. Then once you’ve done that you can look at changing the curtains and then upgrading the lounge and so on. Doing it all at once (unless absolutely necessary) is a terrible idea. Plan your purchases wisely over time.
Home Gym Program
Regarding programs, there are lots of different variations available in the way of a general group prescription as well as individualised programs. There are plenty people who are capable of providing you with one. If you are not educated in writing programs, it is not wise to follow your own. It is very easy to write a poor-quality program, even many professionals do a questionable job.
Home Gym Coach
Find a Coach that is knowledgeable and that you would like to work with. You will be able to discuss your goals and ensure that the program aligns with those goals, whilst also mitigating injury risk, managing load and volume and training smarter in general. Not to mention, the Coach will have a good idea of where your strength level is and will be able to help guide you with making the correct purchases in regards to weights required for the program etc.
Keep your eyes peeled for some more emails on some useful and versatile equipment to have in your Home Gym repertoire.
