Thinking of setting up your home gym but not sure where to start? We’re here to help with insider tips to get your home gym up and running.
I. Introduction
During the height of the pandemic and lockdowns, many people began focusing on their health more than ever before. With public gyms temporarily closed, home gyms saw a significant rise in popularity. People realized the benefits of having a personal gym space, one where they control everything from the ambiance to the equipment they use. While public gyms still have their place, a home gym offers unparalleled convenience, allowing you to work out whenever you want, right in the comfort and safety of your own home.
The shift to indoor, do-it-yourself fitness led to a massive spike in the demand for home gym equipment. According to research, sales of indoor fitness equipment surged by over 70% during the lockdown period (Ng and Chen, 2020). This trend highlighted the growing importance of prioritizing health and wellness, with many turning to home gyms as a key part of their fitness routine.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the essential equipment Arsenal Strength offers to help you build a home gym that meets all your fitness needs. Whether you’re just starting or looking to upgrade your setup, we’ve got the perfect solutions to bring your home gym vision to life.
II. Assessing Your Space
The first step in setting up a new home gym is to identify a dedicated space for it. Ensure that the space you choose is large enough to fit your equipment and allows plenty of room to walk and space for stretching. Consider the ceiling height, as many machines have moving parts that require sufficient space. It is crucial to have good ventilation in the area. Proper airflow is essential as it helps reduce humidity, improve air quality, and create a more comfortable environment for your workouts. Proper ventilation will also help prevent overheating and ensure that you stay cool and focused during your exercise sessions. Once you’ve found a location, it's time to decide which equipment will fit best and align with your fitness goals.
III. Defining Your Fitness Goals
When setting up a home gym, the first thing to consider is your specific fitness goals. Are you committed to bodybuilding, strength training, or more focused on functional fitness and cardio? Understanding your goals will help you choose the right equipment. Arsenal Strength offers a variety of gym equipment designed to fit different fitness needs. We’ll cover some equipment to help you select the one that best suits your home gym setup.
Racks (Weight Lifting)
Alpha 7 Half Rack
The Arsenal Strength Alpha Series 7 Gauge Racks boast massive 5×3 main uprights, 2-inch incremental height adjustments, multiple areas for customization, standard bar storage, band pegs, and multi-grip pull-up crossbars are highlights of this series.
Alpha 7 Power Rack
The Arsenal Strength Alpha Series 7 Gauge Racks boast massive 5×3 main uprights, 2-inch incremental height adjustments, multiple areas for customization, standard bar storage, band pegs, and multi-grip pull-up crossbars are highlights of this series.
Benches and Storage
Alpha Multi-Adjustable Bench-Ladder Style
For total training variety, the Arsenal Strength Alpha Series Ladder Style Multi Adjustable bench has three levels of angle adjustment on the seat pad and six levels of angle adjustment on the back pad. Transporting the bench is simple because to its standard wheels, and storing it upright makes the most of your training area.
Alpha 2 Tier Pro Style Dumbbell Rack
The Arsenal Strength Alpha Series 2 Tier Dumbbell Racks provide a proper storage solution for your dumbbells.
Everyday Versatile Equipment)
Reloaded Leg Extension/Seated Leg Curl
The Arsenal Strength Reloaded Leg Extension/Seated Leg Curl provides two essential exercises, combined into one machine. Work your quads and hamstrings all in one compact area. With a rapid change pop-pin selector, this machine offers a simple transition between a seated leg curl and a seated leg extension.
M1 Selectorized Lat Pulldown
The M-1 Functional Trainer offers the best quality in a space-saving solution. With 34 height adjustments on a 7 gauge steel frame, the M-1 Functional Trainer was designed to offer the user a variety of workout options. This has two cable stations that link to 250-pound stacks each so you may have resistance for every exercise you do. To provide attachment storage options that save space, two more storage trays with four hooks were included.
M-1 Selectorized Functional Trainer
The Arsenal Strength M1 Lat Pulldown has a standard 300 lb stack and adjustable thigh roller pads. The user can perform the exercise unilaterally, bilaterally, or alternately on each side thanks to the twin pulleys. Additionally, users can clip both sides together to use common cable hookups.
VI. Designing Your Home Gym Layout
After selecting the equipment that best suits you and your space, it’s time for the fun part: Design. The ambiance of your gym is one of the most important factors when creating your own gym space. This is what will set your gym apart from any other, it's all about your fitness goals and what motivates you.
First, consider the aesthetic you're going for. You can draw inspiration from past gyms you've visited or explore Pinterest boards for ideas. This is your opportunity to create a space that makes you feel happy and motivated to work out. In a previous article, we delved into some of the different gym aesthetics, but the possibilities go far beyond those.
Once you've chosen a color scheme, flooring, lighting, and sound systems, you can start mapping out how your equipment will be arranged. It’s important to consider the movement required for each exercise and ensure there's enough space to move around the equipment. Finding an efficient layout that supports your workout routine is key.
VII. Maintenance and Safety Tips
When first installing machines in your workout area, ensure proper and secure installation. Test all equipment without weights to confirm it's set up correctly. Once your home gym is ready, it's essential to maintain the space in its original state. After each workout, take time to clean machine handles and upholstery. Store bars and weights in their designated spots, this routine keeps your workout area clean and safe every time you exercise.
Over time, machines with moving parts may require maintenance. Cables, for instance, can wear out, lose elasticity, or break. When you notice any changes to your equipment, it may be a signal that it's time to replace cables, upholstery, lubricate, or deep clean the equipment. Regular maintenance will help extend the lifespan of your machines and keep them in good working condition.
VIII. Conclusion
Public gyms have their place in the fitness world, often serving as great places for community building and motivation. While many fitness enthusiasts still enjoy going to public gyms, the convenience of having a home gym offers unmatched benefits for those unexpected moments. A home gym allows you to work out in the comfort of your own space, where you can build an environment tailored to your fitness goals and personal motivators. Arsenal Strength can help you make that happen. If you're looking to start building out your home gym and want guidance from the Arsenal Strength equipment and gym design experts, feel free to contact us.
For more information on a custom home gym design feel free to contact Arsenal Strength and to keep up to date with Arsenal Strength follow us on our social media
