Don’t want to go to the gym? Bring it home by setting up a home gym!
Going to the gym regularly can be a challenge. Taking out the time, getting stuck in traffic and avoiding COVID are some of the hindrances in going to the gym daily. So why not bring the gym right to your home?
Here’s a step by step guide on setting up a home gym. We’ll start with the basics, and the Guide will progress as you look to scale up your home gym.
Home Gym Space & Flooring
It might seem strange to start with the flooring; however, this is incredibly important. Many skip on installing proper flooring for a home gym which hampers your workout.
Finding the right space in your home is also essential. It should be big enough to fit the equipment you’re planning to buy and space for you to move around freely. You don’t want your clothes snagging on something mid-workout – that’s a recipe for disaster.
Next, there are two ways to go about setting up the right home gym floor. You can either get a carpet professionally installed or get special rubber tiles made for gyms.
If you are opting to install a carpet, you have to make sure it is installed snug to the floor and doesn’t move around. This is critical as it may cause issues down the line, such as make your gym bench or machine move around when used.
Alternatively, rubber tiles are also a good option, especially if you are looking to go all out and equip your gym with heavyweight equipment. Tiles are available through fitness retailers for around PKR 1,000 apiece. You can install these yourself or have them professionally installed – more on installation in a bit.
Weights
If previously you were only following bodyweight exercises, its time to move a step further and incorporate weights.
There’s no need to buy a full rack of dumbbells. A couple of dumbbells paired with a kettlebell will do just as well. Team it up with a balance ball to make sure your core gets some attention as well.
You can find dumbbells, kettlebells and weight plates ranging between PKR 2,000 and 5,000 from Apollo Sports.
Benches
While not strictly essential, a simple, multifunctional bench can do wonders for your workout. Simple push-ups and pull-ups can be a pain to perform on a soft carpet, let alone on a bare floor.
A simple workout bench will help you keep balance and make sure you can focus on your exercise.
Sports Plus offers a simple studio bench by Adidas prices at around PKR 27,000. However, you can find cheaper ones if you look around a bit.
Machines
Sure you could go outside a run, or get a bicycle. However, the benefit of cardio machines is that you can alter speed and elevation. Changing these two aspects helps you push yourself from the comfort of your home.
While a treadmill, cycle and rowing machine all target different parts of the body. Owning a treadmill is your safest bet as running provides an overall exercise to your body.
Find treadmills from Advance Fitness starting at PKR 100,000 ranging up to PKR 500,000. Apollo Sports also offers an Apollo branded treadmill starting at PKR 75,000.
Home Gym Design & Installation
If you’re looking for is a small setup with all the basics, all you need to do is order all the equipment and decide where to put it. Most fitness retailers do offer installation and setup for free. Alternatively, it is a simple process that you can do yourself.
The more you deck out your home gym, the more complicated things can get if you’re doing it yourself. This is where the sales support of larger fitness retailers comes into its own. Major brands such as Advance Fitness and Fitness Factory have services to take care of every single detail.
All you need to do is specify the type of exercises you want to do, and they will take care of the rest. These retailers will suggest the best machines for your requirements, design a workout studio based on the room in your home, ship and install these machines to get you up and running.
Therefore, it is merely a case of how big you are planning to go.
With that in mind, check out our article on the best fitness retailers in Pakistan so you can get the best gym equipment at the best prices.
Before you start your fitness journey, you will need some comfortable gym wear to help you achieve your goals. Read our article for the best gym wear in Pakistan. Also, check out our ultimate guide to fitness in Pakistan.
