Setting Up Your Home Gym... How to Get Started?

27 novembre 2024 | By Tanguay

Training in the comfort of your own home is possible! You might not know exactly where to start amid the wide variety of equipment, which is completely understandable.

Breathe in, breathe out! We're here to guide you in organizing your space so that your home workouts are just as varied and motivating as at the gym! 

The Training Space 

First and foremost, it’s important to determine where your gym will be located in your home. Once decided, you’ll need to evaluate this workout space. The height of your ceiling, the available space for different strength exercises, potential storage space, and the type of flooring are parameters you need to know well to choose the right equipment. 

Small Space 

If your space is limited, you'll lean more towards less bulky cardio equipment like a Matrix or Elite Air Assault rower , a Matrix or Yésoul indoor bike , a Garmin taax training station, or even a folding treadmill like the Matrix TF30 or TF50.

For strength training, free weights, Swiss balls, kettlebells, and other accessories from Treadmill Factory or Tonic Performance should be prioritized. Not only do they take up less space than larger strength machines, but they also store easily. 

Large Space 

Do you have a large space available? Then almost anything is possible. From a complete training station to a high-performance Horizon treadmill , an Ironax leg press, or even a Matrix climber, you can create your dream home workout space. Just make sure to choose your equipment according to your goals and needs, and keep enough space between them to ensure proper functioning and your safety. 

In short, it's possible to work out anywhere, it's just about optimizing the space by choosing equipment suited to your reality. 

Protect Your Flooring 

No matter what cardiovascular equipment or strength training gear you choose, it's important to protect your floors. We strongly recommend installing rubber flooring under your cardio machines to counteract wear from sweating and reduce vibrations caused by their use.  

Don't forget the mat for your stretching sessions. 

Identify Your Home Workout Goals 

Once your home workout space is chosen and assessed, it’s crucial to identify your goals based on your experience. Your age, current fitness level, physical restrictions, personal motivation rate, and preferred or enjoyed physical activity will certainly influence your choice of conditioning equipment and accessories.  

For example, someone looking to improve their overall health without focusing on performance will opt for more comfortable, easy-to-use equipment offering simple amenities. Think a recumbent bike , an straight bike , a basic treadmill , or an elliptical .  

Conversely, an experienced athlete will look for equipment that offers a wide variety of workouts, increased performance, and greater potential for performance progression. This person will seek equipment offering more responsive and precise resistance systems, thus turning to more stable and durable machines. We have a multitude of brands and technologies available to meet your needs whether you are just starting your training adventure or not. 

Determine Your Motivation Level 

The motivation factor is also very important. The vast majority of gym clients seek additional motivation by hiring a certified trainer or attending group classes. Now, with all the technological tools available on the home equipment market, like smart consoles XUR- XIR or XER, training apps, the availability of virtual group classes, and virtual destination programs like Virtual Active, it is easier for those who need a little extra motivation to find the tool that suits them and keeps them at the top! 

Not to mention that you can set an achievable training frequency goal that you can increase over time. The hardest part is integrating the habit if it’s not already in place. Having a home gym makes training more accessible by reducing travel time. Why deprive yourself? 

Target Your Budget 

Finally, there’s always the question of budget. For strength training accessories, it's relatively easy to find equipment at reasonable prices without compromising quality. However, for cardio equipment, it's important to determine how you will use it. 

Take the example of a treadmill. A person who only walks on their treadmill won’t necessarily need a highly efficient motor or a highly robust belt, reducing costs without decreasing the durability of the machine. However, someone experienced in running will demand higher motor performance and a much more stable and resistant belt design. At purchase, the machine will cost a bit more, but ultimately, through performance appreciation, high usage, and durability, you will make your investment worthwhile. 

A Good Evaluation for the Optimal Gym

In summary, to set up your home gym, it is necessary to evaluate the space where you will train, determine your training objectives, and your budget. Explore various virtual coaching options and select the one that suits you to stay motivated. 

But most importantly, ensure you get well-advised by professionals like Tanguay advisors who can answer your questions and guide you in choosing the equipment and accessories for your home training. There's nothing better than devices that meet our needs to train effectively. 

Happy home workouts!