If you are wondering what to do with all the unnecessary stuff you have in your basement, you might consider getting rid of that and turning your basement into a home gym.

Imagine not having to spend time going to the gym, getting dressed, and getting stuck in traffic on your way back home…all you have to do is go downstairs and exercise in the comfort of your own home.

If this was convincing enough to start reorganizing your basement, here are some ideas that might help you in creating your own home gym.

Plan your budget

When someone mentions a home gym, the first thing that comes to our minds is luxury. However, this doesn’t have to be the case, and turning your basement into a home gym doesn’t mean that you will have to spend all your savings. Plan what is the most important equipment for you and start with getting just a couple of things.

You don’t need to have a fully-equipped gym as soon as you start, so reconsider investing in the essentials. And as for the space, painting the walls and making sure that everything is clean is more than enough – you don’t have to waste money on expensive wall paints or floors. Save that for buying more quality equipment!

Get the right equipment

This really depends on what type of exercises you prefer, and whether you want to make a home gym where you will pump your muscles or do some yoga and stretching. If you are more into cardio workouts, you can get a treadmill or an exercise bike for a start. If you, on the other hand, want to work more on toning your body and building your muscles, consider getting some grip strength equipment.

It doesn’t take much space, and it is the best choice for strengthening your body. If you are more into yoga, medicine or yoga balls don’t take much space, as well as yoga mats, that come in a variety of sizes and styles, and can be easily rolled, so you will need some space for it only while exercising.

Clear the space you are going to use

It is difficult to get rid of the things that have some sentimental value, or you just think that an old three-legged chair “might be useful for something one day”, but you should try to clear the space as much as possible.

If there are some items that you no longer need, divide them from the other things and put it in a separate box, so you can offer that to your local charity. If some broken things can’t be donated, don’t hesitate to drop them off. And finally, if there are still some things that you can’t let go, try to find a different place in the house where you can keep them, like attics, or in some room in the house that has more free space.

Environment

Even if it’s a basement, before you start converting your basement into a home gym, make sure that there will be no unpredicted downsides of doing this, such as noise that can disturb your neighbors, or having a piece of heavy equipment that might to some damage to the floors.

These are the things you should check in advance, so you don’t have to give up on your idea the same day your treadmill was delivered. Also, make sure that the walls and ceilings in good condition so they can support the heavy equipment. You don’t want to make a hole in the floor if you accidentally drop a dumbbell, so make sure that you check this as well.

Working out from home became a trend back in the 80s when people used their favorite aerobic videos for getting a perfect body in the comfort in front of the TV, and it looks like we are witnessing its second breakthrough. So, start building your fitness heaven in your own house, and maybe some of these tips will help you through the process of getting a perfect body you have always dreamed of (or just staying  in already perfect shape).