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A home gym built by Douston Construction, Inc. and designed by John Einsiedler, RA, offers functional amenities normally found in other parts of the home. A small fridge keeps water bottles cool and a hidden television entertains for long runs. Cabinetry for towel and equipment storage keeps unsightly paraphernalia out of the way. Carpets, from Coastal Decorating Center in Kennebunk, Maine, muffle sound to the rest of the home, provide a non-skid surface, and offer some cushioning for floor workouts. This home gym in Kittery Point, Maine, designed by Coastal Architects, has a variety of strength training equipment. Inspirational photographs of the family engaged in physical activities line the walls.

Ah, the joys of the recent holidays with all their gustatory pleasures! Rich foods and abundant desserts find us greeting the New Year with too-tight pants and tipping the scale with extra pounds. In desperation, many of us rush to buy fitness equipment and set up a home gym. But before you do, learn some tips from the pros.
Michael Collins and Mark Fernald are professional personal trainers with years of experience guiding people along the journey to health and fitness. Michael works at Omni Fitness in Portsmouth, N.H., while Mark is assistant manager of Total Fitness Equipment in Nashua.

“The key is to purchase equipment you will actually use,” says Mark. “Many folks gravitate toward machines with lots of bells and whistles and don’t consider if the equipment truly suits their needs. To be successful, choose something you will be motivated to use, and then create the right workout space.”
Mark recommends trying out the equipment before you buy—and for a significant interval. “The longer timeframe tells you how the machine will feel when working out,” he explains. “Comfort is key. For example, a bike seat that seemed comfortable at two minutes may not be at 30. You need to find that out before you buy. Most reputable fitness dealers will let you work out for an extended period.”

Before buying, do some homework. Talk to professional trainers, and visit web sites such as consumerreports.com and treadmilldoctor.com for reviews of the best equipment. A treadmill that falls apart after one year can derail your fitness program and your budget.

A Workout Space That Works
That new mountain climber may seem nice, but first, make sure you have the space. Consider the size of each piece and how your workout will flow with your floor plan. If you have questions, talk to a professional. Trainers such as Mike and Mark are experienced at designing home gyms, and many fitness centers, including Omni and Total Fitness, set up gyms for customers.

A good rule of thumb is that there should be at least seven feet of ceiling space to accommodate almost any piece of cardio equipment. Remember to account for your height while on the machine. If the equipment is tall, and you are tall, then you need to allow clearance space. If your ceiling space is low, go for a bike or a treadmill, and skip an elliptical, stepper, or climber, all of which tend to be tall pieces of equipment.

Next, give yourself space to work. “Many people don’t take into account that they need to leave room to push and pull when using a machine,” says Mike. “A strength machine, like a functional trainer, for example, needs six feet of run-off space when doing the resistance workouts. You have to position other pieces to allow for that.”
Flooring is important. Hardwood floors, good tile or carpet, all need to be protected from gym equipment. Pads underneath treadmills and the like are a good investment.

“Remember, these machines weigh hundreds of pounds and then there is your weight on top of that,” says Mark. “Most machines are supported at four points, and these four points can wear into the floor over time. You are moving; the machine is moving; and you don’t want the equipment to slide or wear into the floor. Pads are also good to have in the strength area. They will absorb the shock of the dumbbells if you drop them. They also cushion you if you do jumping activities, and they are easy to clean, because, let’s face it, if you are working out, you will perspire.”

Both Mike and Mark emphasize the importance of your workout location. “Do not put equipment in a dark and dingy basement,” says Mike. “If the basement is finished and has good lighting and some entertainment items, that is one thing. If the room is drab and unappealing, it will not matter how fancy the piece of equipment is—you won’t use it, because you won’t want to spend time in that room.”

Mike also emphasizes the importance of room color. “Bright colors are good,” he says. “Lots of gyms are bright red or bright blue because those colors reflect power and drive. The red has that aggressive feel, and the blue just pulls you in. Color definitely plays a role in the psychology of training.”

Tim and Cheryl Lindsay of Dover, N.H., discovered firsthand the challenges and rewards of installing a home gym. “My wife started working with a personal trainer and became more serious about fitness,” Tim explains. “The kids were grown, so we decided to convert our basement into a gym. We worked with the folks at Omni and our trainer to decide what we wanted and how to lay it out. It was a smart move. These machines take up much more space than you think. We would have gotten into trouble without professional advice.”

The Lindsays selected a treadmill, elliptical, bike, abdominal machine, functional trainer and dumbbells. Because their basement had limited height, they actually moved their ductwork to accommodate lights and a drop ceiling. Since the elliptical machine was tall, they removed one ceiling panel to create more head clearance. The brand of functional trainer they initially picked was too large for the room, but Omni found a model with a lower profile.

To avoid “dark, damp basement syndrome,” the Lindsays installed mildew-resistant pads beneath their basement carpet, then added gym mats on top. A dehumidifier system keeps the room dry. They also invested in three rows of recessed lights, which not only brighten the room, but also allow for adjustments.

Cheryl gave the gym a sunny feel by bordering the bottom half of the walls with white beadboard and painting the top half a vivid yellow. Tim finds motivation in the plasma flat screen television positioned opposite the cardio area, and the surround-sound music system keeps the music at equal volume regardless of where you are.
The Lindsays love their home gym, which has also become popular with their grandchildren. “We look forward to working out,” says Tim. “It’s a great space, and we have everything we need right here.”

Foolproof Fitness
• Guarantee success by creating a space you enjoy.

• Keep your workout space light and bright.

• Forget chores and focus on fitness; do not put equipment next to the washer and dryer.

• Include a television facing the cardio equipment; add a music system for motivation.

• Buy your equipment from a professional who will lay out your room properly.