15 Fabulous Home Gym Ideas From Our Favorite AD-Featured Homes

Whether you’re an endorphin junkie who doesn’t go a day without a solid workout or you’re trying to get into the habit of exercising, coming up with home gym ideas can seem daunting. Though it is getting better—and there are a number of designer-approved home gym equipment recommendations available nowadays—workout machines are at best impersonal, at worst straight up ugly. So how might you create a welcoming space that you’ll feel energized by? Like with any other room, it’s all about being realistic about your needs and finding inspiration so that you can create a room that’s just as visually appealing as it is functional.

What should I put in my home gym?

What to include in your home gym entirely depends on your space and your preferred workout! If you’re into yoga, curate a space geared toward total relaxation—along with a yoga mat, blocks, and a bolster, add house plants, candles or incense, and remember to keep your walls bare so the space doesn’t feel overstimulating. If you’re more the stationary bike or treadmill type, add some high-energy art, a station to towel off, a chic water bottle, and a well-designed speaker system that will allow for motivational music and add to the appearance of the space.

What do I need for a small home gym?

Depending on how small your space is, it might be best to keep the design concept simple. Either focus on adding one piece of equipment that you see yourself using most, or keep things open so that you have enough space to stretch, use weights, and accommodate whatever guided workout videos you hope to tackle any given day. For the former, you need a treadmill or stationary bike, and for the latter, you need a yoga mat, a selection of small weights (like Bala Bands), and a space to put a laptop or tablet if you hope to watch guided workout videos.

Is it cheaper to build a gym at home?

Building a gym at home can certainly be cheaper! It entirely depends on your fitness goals and how much home gym equipment you need to accomplish your preferred workout. If you tend to use a variety of weight machines at the gym, it’ll likely be more expensive to recreate that at home than to pay for a gym membership, but in many people’s cases, if you’re hoping to simply do yoga, or use a stationary bike or a treadmill, you’ll likely save in the long run by building a home gym. Plus, you’ll likely end up exercising more often since you needn’t worry about commuting to the gym.

How can I make my home gym look good?

Making a home gym look good is similar to making just about any part of your house look good. If you like to accessorize with houseplants in your living areas, add houseplants. If you prefer to keep things super minimal in your home, then don’t pressure yourself to add much beyond the basics to your home gym. By the same token—if you’re a master maximalist, go ahead and add tchotchkes aplenty to your home gym; that’s the beauty of having a workout space that’s all your own.

Read on for workout room ideas direct from AD home tours.