I was excited when I found out my clients wanted to do a home gym renovation. With more and more people timid about going back to public gyms during COVID, I thought it would be the perfect time to show homeowners how to maximize their space so working out at home is possible.
When the new regulations came out about how public gyms would function, this couple quickly accessed their space at home and discovered a home gym was possible. They had a room that was already complete (hardwood floors, pot lights, etc) that was previously used as a playroom. After a bit of investigation, we discovered that the room behind this space was a fairly large and underutilized storage room. So, we decided to blow out a wall to create the ultimate home gym for this active couple.
After speaking to my clients and accessing what they wanted to do in the space, I uncovered weight training and yoga were their two primary gym activities; with this in mind, I divided the space into zones.
The first zone was the yoga zone. I wanted this space to be serene, relaxing and warm. To achieve the feel I was looking for, I chose a fireplace from Dimplex. Their Ignite XL was the perfect fit because it gives off heat when you want to cozy up for some downward dog, yet if you want to turn it off while working out, you can also use it with just the flame feature (no heat involved so you get the ambiance without the heat). I used their driftwood kit that includes beautiful driftwood and river rocks adding to the natural zen like look I wanted to achieve.
What gym is complete without a television? I chose the Hisense Q8G Quantum Dot TV for this space. The image on the screen is so life-like you’ll think the yoga instructor is in the room with you. This Android TV is user friendly and you can easily stream thousands of movies, shows or YouTube videos while working out.
Now for the weight training zone. I really wanted to distinguish the two areas so I created an architectural component by adding wood slates to the ceiling. I had the contractor cut the floor and ceiling on an angle to create even more of a visual appeal playing up lines and focal points. Having the pipes exposed created that raw industrial look for even more curb appeal in this rectangular space. To achieve this look I worked with Metrie to build a custom slatted wood ceiling. I used their 2” oak flat stock boards leaving a small gap between each slat to achieve my industrial look. I didn’t want to cut any corners in this space so I also added Metrie’s Option {M} Vintage Industrial baseboard and casing and a Masonite® Berkley door with black hinges and door handle. Sometimes it’s the small details like this that make the biggest impact.
Adding music to your workout is such a must. The Sonos Move and Beam in this space truly gives it studio-level vibes, and the high-quality sound will keep you motivated to get in that last rep. They were super easy to set up: simply download the Sonos app, connect to your WiFi network, and press play. As a bonus, the Move is a portable speaker that works on both WiFi and Bluetooth so whether lifting weights, perfecting a downward dog, or taking your workout outside, this speaker can go with you!
I wanted to make sure this space was clean, tidy and that clutter wouldn’t take away from the joy of their workout. I love utilizing every inch I can and the little nook in the space fit a cabinet perfectly. I worked with Tailored Living to create this beautiful built-in custom storage cabinet. It has uppers and lowers for great home gym equipment storage and a perfect counter space to house gym essential like water bottles and speakers. I chose a contemporary gray wood grain finish to complete the space.
To add a little extra style to the cabinet, I chose tiles from M2 Tile & Stone. Their tiles are sourced carefully from premium European suppliers and kept in stock locally. I love taking non-traditional elements and adding them to a space you wouldn’t expect them in. This pattern with a slightly darker grout really helps show off the cabinetry.
Now for the finishing touches and a bit more inspiration. I wanted to create a dramatic effect with artwork. I worked with Posterjack, to create larger than life inspiration prints. They are a Canadian company that specialize in photo art. I wanted to find something that would really motivate the home gym owners so I went to Etsy and bought some gym inspired digital artwork.
All I had to do then was I uploaded the images at Posterjack, pick the exact frame style and size of print I wanted and voila art complete. It was super easy and Posterjack created framed prints that were shipped directly to my door. I am always blown away by their attention to detail, quality of the prints and beautiful frames.
Finally, what people might not think about having in a home gym are tools to help you with your post workout soreness. This gym is meant for hard workouts and with that comes sore muscles. I love RUB A535 products to help manage pain. Not only did we need this when building the gym (DIY’s and home renos come with their own set of muscle soreness!) but post workout it’s perfect for managing pain and muscle fatigue. They offer products for soothing pain relief in heating and non-heating options that act fast. From their Muscle & Joint Maximum Strength Heat Cream to the Back Ice to Heat Relief Patches, there will be no excuse for not getting right back to your next work out with these products in your tool box.
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