Working (Out) From Home

By Camilla McLaughlin

Awell-appointed place to work out has always been a must-have for the most luxurious homes. Today, a home gym is no longer a rarity reserved for the very affluent. Instead of a nice-to-have supplement to the club, gym, or studio, it is now considered essential for many, whether the desire is prime conditioning or functional fitness.

“The fast-rising demand for a wellnessbased lifestyle often includes a near-daily commitment to fitness. As such, convenience is a major factor in driving the explosion of home gym integrations,” says Bryan Green, founder of Fitness Design Group, a specialized gym design and wellness consultancy.

In the U.S., the home fitness equipment market is projected to grow from $4.81 billion in 2022 to $7.8 billion in 2029. Adding to demand are new modalities that combine interactive training, even one-on-one coaching, with multifaceted equipment that occupies a small footprint.

Under the Wellness Umbrella

Fitness at home can imply anything from an extensive area devoted to wellness, to space carved out of an office or bedroom. The most elaborate can be an indulgent refuge incorporating multiple modalities for working out as well as studios for yoga or Pilates, meditation areas (inside and out), and massage rooms.

Designers of fitness spaces say demand for home gyms rivals commercial projects. “Families are increasingly taking a holistic approach toward creating permanent wellness space within the home. Many projects initiate as a transformation of basements, extra bedrooms, lofts, and bonus rooms into energizing workout havens. For clients building new homes, it’s now increasingly rare that a generous gym space is not included in the plans,” says Green.

Plan Before Purchase

Equipment creates pizzazz, but designers say function is the first step to good design. “Before any fitness equipment is selected, understanding the in-use space requirement is critical,” advises Green.

Consider how you want to exercise now and in the future. An ideal space should adapt as needs and interests evolve over time. It’s also important to envision who will be using the space. Ultimate gyms ideally accommodate functional exercise along with cardio and any special passions, including child-specific sports training.

No longer are gyms gritty utilitarian realms. Dedicated spaces to move that include natural light, entertainment integration, and functional floor coverings are a few of the fundamental keys to success, says Green.

Aesthetics are important. Lighting, air quality, hues, entertainment, and even placement of equipment all play into the appeal. “A welldesigned gym will serve as an extension of the home itself, not a departure or sacrifice in comfort,” says Green.

Noelle Isbell, founder of Noelle Interiors, uses a recent design for a room intended for working out as well as a Zen refuge. Using elements in a typical gym setting, she says, “we took a more luxurious and design-forward approach by substituting floor-to-ceiling mirrors with stylish black frames.” Equipment and accessories followed a similar color palette. The yoga component included a lightwell with natural plants and a water feature.

Flooring is another essential. “Durability is ideal, given the moisture and protection needed in a functional home gym. Rubber and vinyl flooring are top options as they come in versatile colors and they prevent scuffs and scratches,” says Isbell. For workout spaces carved out of another room, a foam mat or tiles can supplement flooring.

“Just because it’s a home gym, it doesn’t mean accessories can’t be stylish,” she says. “Be strategic when placing mats and machines next to each other. Do your best to create a machine section and a floor section with any necessary accessories or free weights to divide the space.” Floor-to-ceiling mirrors will make the room feel larger.

A common misconception is that a home workout won’t be as good as in a commercial facility due to access to a limited amount of equipment. “With careful design, you don’t need much space or equipment to get a quality workout. In fact, you can create a space in the same footprint as a treadmill that allows you to complete an endless array of workouts,” Green explains.

A yoga mat, hand weights and additions such as a Bosu work for the smallest spaces, as do expansion bands or systems such as the TRX. Here too luxury equipment such as Pent’s suite of fitness accessories elevates any space.

For larger areas, modular systems such as Gym Rax, which combines a small footprint with the ability to adjust modes, are a versatile option. It also incorporates storage spaces and options, including a punching bag.

Fitness Tech

What has really revolutionized small space training are interactive modalities. Extra-large highdefinition screens that appear as mirrors offer personalized training, even interactive, one-onone coaching, along with access to dozens if not hundreds of training videos.

The best, according to the Good Housekeeping Institute, is Tonal, a wall-mounted platform with both a 24-inch screen and electromagnetic resistance equipment. Offering a tremendous variety of classes, Lululemon Studio Mirror provides more than 10,000 classes and, for an additional fee, personalized training. A number of other companies offer similar products.

All open the door to new training opportunities, ushering in an entirely new concept of a home gym.

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