| Many people enjoy exercising and keeping fit, but are | | | | challenging to maintain your exercise routine. |
| reluctant to go to the gym because of the expense | | | | 4. Make use of a mirror |
| and the unpleasantness of exercising in a crowded | | | | While having an entire wall covered with floor to ceiling |
| room full of other sweaty people. For this reason | | | | mirrors like commercial gyms do might not be a |
| home gyms are becoming increasingly popular, | | | | practical option, it's worth adding at least one full length |
| especially as people realise you don't need a huge | | | | mirror when decorating your home gym. If you're just |
| amount of space or money to exercise at home. | | | | starting to get into shape, it'll be motivating to see your |
| However, you're not going to be very motivated to | | | | body firm up. And even if you're already very fit, being |
| use your home gym if it's cramped, dark, dingy or | | | | able to watch yourself in the mirror as you exercise is |
| otherwise unwelcoming. It stands to reason that the | | | | useful for ensuring that you're maintaining the correct |
| nicer the environment, the more likely you'll be to want | | | | form, especially if you're using weights. |
| to spend time in it. Fortunately, it's not difficult to make | | | | 5. Add some entertainment |
| your home gym into a place you actually want to go | | | | A stereo or MP3 dock, and a TV or screen with a |
| to if you follow these easy home gym decorating | | | | DVD player can also be invaluable additions to any |
| ideas. | | | | home gym. Most people find that music helps them to |
| 1. Arrange your exercise equipment well | | | | enjoy their workout more, and while it's easy to use |
| Firstly, no matter how small or large your home gym | | | | headphones, filling a room of music can be more |
| room, it's important to arrange your equipment well in | | | | pleasant and will give your ears a rest too. |
| order to make the most of the space that you have. | | | | The DVD player is also an essential if you like to do |
| Exercising in a cluttered environment is no fun, so | | | | workout videos, and even if you don't you should |
| make sure that any tall or bulky machines are placed | | | | consider them as they can be a great way to add |
| by the wall, and keep the centre of the room for | | | | variety to your exercise routine. |
| smaller items and space in which to move freely. | | | | 6. Get the right lighting |
| If you're just planning your home gym, it can be useful | | | | Another thing to think about when it comes to home |
| to make a floor plan in advance if you know which | | | | gym decor is the lighting. If you're room is dim and |
| equipment you'll be buying, and then you can plan the | | | | dingy, you probably won't want to spend much time |
| rest of your decorating around this. | | | | there, so make sure it's brightly lit. You might even |
| 2. Choose the right colour scheme | | | | want to get some full spectrum daylight bulbs, as they |
| Secondly, it's worth spending some time thinking about | | | | can be more energising than the regular yellow kind. |
| the best types of colours to use on the walls. You'll | | | | 7. Keep it smelling nice |
| probably want to feel energised when exercising, so | | | | A well decorated room will please all the senses, so |
| you may find that warm colours such as oranges and | | | | don't forget about your nose. Like any gym, your room |
| yellows are good for home gym decoration as they | | | | might end up smelling less than fresh after you've been |
| have a more stimulating effect - and conversely, you | | | | using it for a while, so you'll need to take some |
| may want to avoid cool blues and greens as these will | | | | measures to keep it smelling nice. As well as just |
| tend to be relaxing. | | | | opening the window, you could try burning some |
| On the other hand, if you do a lot of yoga-type | | | | aromatherapy oils or incense sticks - these can be |
| exercises, you might prefer a more muted colour | | | | especially nice if you're doing a lot of yoga or |
| scheme that's designed to induce relaxation. There's | | | | stretching exercises, as they really helped to create an |
| no right or wrong here; just be aware of your individual | | | | appropriate atmosphere. |
| reactions to various colours, and realise that the colour | | | | You might also want to keep some plants in your |
| of your walls will have a strong influence on how you | | | | home gym - as well is looking nice, they can help to |
| experience your gym. | | | | purify the air. |
| 3. Wall decorations | | | | Hopefully this article has given you some ideas for |
| Once you've got your walls painted the right colours | | | | decorating your home gym and making it into a space |
| for you, don't just leave them blank. It can be a good | | | | that you actually want to spend more time in. No |
| idea to make use of your wall space and decorate | | | | matter how much or little money you have to spend, |
| them with images that make the room more appealing. | | | | it's possible to create an environment that is appealing |
| You might also consider some motivational posters or | | | | enough that you'll no longer have any excuses not to |
| fitness-related images, especially if you find it | | | | exercise! |