PLANNING YOUR WORKOUT SPACE

USE A ROOM CORNER

“YOU don’t need a lot of room to lay down a yoga mat, where you can stretch and do core exercises, Pilates or yoga,” says Mark Reynolds.

Aside from mat exercises, more vigorous workouts like high intensity interval training may sometimes warrant a little more space, although most exercises can be done on the spot – even jogging. A solid floor to jump around on is useful, though not essential (your carpet, however, may not benefit from repeated jogging on the spot). A skipping rope and resistance bands are great basic (and cheap) exercise tools. In addition, adjustable dumbbells, or a small set on a rack, only require minimal storage.

USE A DEDICATED AREA

IF you have the space to dedicate to a workout area within a larger room, you could also use a portable screen or even curtains to divide the space, Mark suggests.

To keep workout gear organised, hang shelves or get a small storage unit. It can sometimes be a problem to store bulky weights but careful storage design can solve this.

If the space is permanent, you may want to consider interlocking rubber mats, or something more durable and permanent, such as rubber flooring in tiles or rolls, which will prevent slipperiness and provide physical and sound cushioning.

Keep your form in check by making a mirror wall – it can brighten up the space, and make it feel much larger, says Mark.

Another option is to hang a punchbag from the ceiling – it can always be unhooked and removed to make more space. Alternatively, buy a floorstanding punchbag.

A basic, custom-designed set-up including one cardio machine, dumbbells, an adjustable bench and flooring will cost around £2,500£5,000, says Mark.

CREATE A FITNESS WALL

WALL workouts are popular because they don’t require bulky equipment.

They combine tools for strength training, such as resistance bands, body straps, pull-up bars and even foldable squat racks with an integrated adjustable bench.

A fitness wall can be as elaborate or simple as you like, explains Mark, and can incorporate hooks or bars to attach resistance bands or other suspension training apparatus to, as well as built-in equipment like cable and/or battle rope pulleys. A fitness wall can also support an angled sit-up bench, or beams that can provide support for total body stretches.

CONVERT A SPACE

GARAGES, basements and attics can be ideal for converting into a permanent home gym, with the benefit of adding value to your property, says Mark.

If you have a spacious garden or outbuilding, you could install a standalone gym, which you could combine with a home office space if necessary. Mirrors on the walls will open up and brighten the space, and a wall TV can help cardio time go more quickly, or connect to an on-demand fitness service. A good sound system to play your favourite tracks is also a motivational tool.

A custom-designed luxury home gym with two or three cardio machines, a squat rack, free weights, cable machine, adjustable bench, combat fitness equipment, a feature wall, custom flooring, audio, visual equipment and air conditioning will cost around £30,000, says Mark.