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10 Elements of an Inspiring Home Gym

Give yourself an incentive to exercise regularly by creating a workout zone that will get you moving at home

It’s not so much the size of your workout area that matters — whether you have a corner devoted to yoga or an entire home gym. Finding the motivation to use your workout space is often the hardest part. Here are 10 elements to give your workout space (and you) a jolt of inspiration.
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1. Mirrors

Mirrors are helpful for checking proper form when lifting weights or doing yoga, and can boost light in a space with few windows.

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2. Nonslip Floors

Proper flooring can help prevent injuries, and an attractive and comfortable floor will make your workout space more inviting. Hardwood floors can be left bare, but if you want a softer area for floor exercises, be sure to use a nonslip material, such as interlocking foam tiles or carpet tiles.

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3. Neat Gear Storage

Avoid the pileup of weights and props by including shelving in your workout zone. Use sturdy baskets to contain smaller items.

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4. TV, or a Tablet and Stand

Whether you use instructional videos to guide your home workouts or just want to watch a show while doing cardio, having a TV in a home gym is a big draw. If a full-size TV just won’t work in your workout zone, a stand for your tablet can get the job done.

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5. Music

Not so into TV? Crank up the tunes instead with a compact stereo that works with your MP3 player or phone. Boost motivation by taking the time to make playlists in advance that will suit the pace of your workout.

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6. Low Table

Make it easier to reach for your water or adjust the music when doing yoga or mat exercises by including a low table in your workout space. If you meditate, this is also a good place to put a candle, an inspiring picture or a chime.

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7. Refreshing Water

One benefit of working out at home is that you don’t need to stick with plain bottled water. Experiment in the kitchen with refreshing additions like lemon or lime slices, fresh sprigs of mint or berries. Keep a carafe of water chilled in the fridge and grab it on your way to the workout room.

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8. Inspiring Art

Personalize your workout area with art that speaks to you. An oversize photograph makes a stunning focal point in a home gym; the bigger the better! For a budget option, have one of your own vacation photos blown up to poster size and pop it into an inexpensive frame.

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9. Rolled White Towels

There is something so motivating about a stack of neatly rolled, fresh white towels. Line them up on a shelf or nestle them in a basket — either way, they’ll make an attractive and useful addition to your workout space.

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10. Cool-Down Comforts

Having a soft throw close at hand is a nice touch, especially in winter, when your room may be on the cool side. A bench makes a nice spot for resting and recovering at the end of a workout.