Trimmer home gyms meet owners’ fitness needs
Spaces have taken a different, lighter direction from earlier incarnations
It’s the season for healthy food and fitness centre memberships.
If the target is weight-loss or better overall fitness, for some people, the most appealing option is something that’s just down the hall.
While home gyms are largely a niche interest, often influenced by the size of the basement, builders say, these spaces have taken a different, lighter direction than earlier incarnations.
“We have a few show homes that showcase home gyms, but they’re not the conventional gyms we have seen in years past,” says Dan Hippe, sales manager at Calbridge Homes in Calgary. He says it’s less about fitting heavy weights and large equipment aimed at a bodybuilder physique, and instead a “minimalistic approach.”
“We have gyms that are more in line with either hip training, where they have small stations using TRX (a line of exercise equipment), or space for yoga, or Pilates, with only free-standing weights minimalistic in its approach,” Hippe says.
“The size of gyms are actually shrinking. You’re using more of your own body weight to work out,” he adds. “But there’s also the requirement for a treadmill or elliptical, or StairMaster — something of that nature.”
But the gym is more than just exercise equipment. Different types of technology can support the workout.
“A TV is something that can pass the time — even utilizing YouTube videos to help them with their exercise requirements and regimens,” Hippe says.
“Where we’d normally not do either a data port or things of that nature, we’ve had some people request that,” he adds. “Because even some of their treadmills today are smart. They’re wanting to be both plugged in as well as connected to the Internet. There are applications that track their progress.”
Beyond that, the space, like other ends of the floor plan, should be set up to receive plenty of sunshine. That’s why home fitness centres will commonly sit behind a wall of glass.
“It opens it up,” says Mike Wagner, sales manager for Calgary and Edmonton home builder Morrison Homes. “A lot of people have the gym along the walkout ( basement) wall so you have windows, too.”
“The biggest thing we found is that people don’t like being in spaces that are dark,” Hippe says, adding that in one of their show homes there’s a 10-millimetre glass between the gym and the basement rec area.
“If there are other people within the basement, they don’t feel secluded,” Hippe says. “Whether the kids or other members of the family are watching TV, or enjoying a board game … it’s just to have that more open feel and flavour to the design of these gyms that are specifically in the basement.”
Jason Mauro, director of business development for Brookfield Residential, says many display homes now have a home gym or room devoted to fitness of some kind.
“They’ve always been popular,” says Mauro, adding the wants vary depending on the buyer.
He points to a new show home where the builder took a different spin on the space.
“Rather than do a wet bar, we did a juice bar and a family gym,” Mauro says. “It’s set up for everybody.”
They added yoga mats, free weights, and climbing equipment specific for children.
“We tried to do something more active, and it turned out great.”
In general, common items on the home gym wish list include natural light, a wall-mount TV, mirrored walls, and resistant flooring, says Mauro.
Wagner agrees, adding, partial or fully mirrored walls have been a staple.
“Anyone who is into training wants to watch their form as they’re working out,” Wagner says. “It also makes the room feel a heck of a lot bigger.”
On flooring, Wagner says rubber is the favourite. There are interlocking options that he says are easy to remove if the buyer wants to turn the space into something other than a fitness centre. Cork floors are also an option. “However, it wouldn’t be good for a heavy weight,” Wagner says.
But what if the homeowner has other ideas for the basement, making a devoted home gym an unrealistic fit?
“The other thing that we’ve seen, too, are small flex areas off of the master bedroom to accommodate either an elliptical or treadmill,” Hippe says.
“People get up in the morning, hop on that and then go have a shower.”
The size of gyms are actually shrinking. You’re using more of your own body weight to work out.