Creating a home gym or an apartment gym has always had its share of convenience. After all, it’s harder to say you don’t have time to hop on the treadmill when you don’t need to drive across town to do it. Now that we have dealt with social distancing adding new obstacles to gym-going, many are opting to workout from home. If you have a small space as a renter, creating a home gym for your apartment can be an overwhelming challenge. Thankfully, there are some strategies that will help you get the most out of your space, without breaking any rules on your lease agreement.
Consider Your Favorite Activities:
As with any gym, you will only get out what you put in. Creating a space to work out in your apartment is great, but if you don’t have the motivation to actually use it, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Give yourself the best chance of sticking with your routine by focusing on fitness activities that you truly enjoy. Don’t fill your limited space with bulky workout machines if your favorite way to exercise is yoga. Similarly, if you can’t get behind the yoga routine, evaluate your space to determine what activities you can do in your apartment.
Go Simple:
To get a full-body workout, you really only need your body and a minimal amount of space. If you want to upgrade your workout, a few free weights or exercise bands can do wonders for your at-home strength training routine. Similarly, a jump rope or a weighted cordless jump rope can be all you need to get your heart rate up. Protect your floors from sweaty smells, and keep your traction by investing in a workout or yoga mat and you have the makings of a very simple home gym for your rental. Going simple can allow you space to enjoy all the other hobbies you love to do in your small space, and you’ll still have all the equipment you truly need to be functionally fit.
Opt for Folding Equipment:
To get the most out of a small space or apartment, you should always be seeking items that are either duel purpose or can fold away when not in use. If you decide you want more than the basics, your gym equipment in your apartment should be no different. Choose items that can fold away and be tucked under the bed or in the closet when you are not working out. Remember to consider how difficult the item will be to get out and put away. You’re far more likely to regularly use an exercise bike that unlocks and folds, than a trampoline that requires you to take the pieces apart each time.
Use Your Vertical Space:
Getting the most out of your vertical space is key to ensuring that you’re not crowing your floors. Choose workout bands that can be mounted to the door, or store your yoga mat and blocks on a rack on the wall. When creating your home gym, be creative about the types of space you have available.
Renter-Specific Small Space Apartment Gym Tips:
Whether you own or rent, small spaces can create challenges for any room or function within that space. Unfortunately, renters can have specific obstacles to navigating decor and small spaces that others don’t need to worry about. Home gym solutions can look very different for this reason. Before you begin planning out your apartment gym, be sure to understand the renter-specific issues you may run across, so that you can plan accordingly.
Be Aware of 2nd Floor Problems:
If you live on a 2nd-floor apartment or above, you’ll need to consider the neighbors below you. Your 5 AM morning workout and smoothie might make you feel like you’re bursting with energy, but your neighbors may not feel the same. Unless you rent on the ground floor, avoid any workouts that are full of noisy jumps, stomps, and movement–especially during hours when people may be asleep or winding down. Additionally, even if you can fit heavy equipment into your space, you’ll need to check with your landlord to ensure that the floors can safely accommodate the load. Powerlifting equipment may not be ideal for a home gym for renters.
Understand Your Lease Agreement
Does your lease say that you can’t hang photos or paint? You likely can’t recreate the stunning red and orange workout space that you saw on Pinterest. And you are likely unable to benefit from a fancy workout item that must be bolted in the wall without risking your security deposit.
Thankfully, there are solutions to this problem. You can request permission from your landlord before making alterations to the property. Your landlord may not want to deal with dozens of repairs after a collage of photo frames but may give you permission to hang one fitness item if you are willing to restore the wall to its original condition upon moveout.
You can get an item that doesn’t need to be mounted and can simply lean against your wall. If you want to create a vibrant gym space, consider using pops of color instead. This can come from your equipment itself, or through hanging art with a damage-free solution. If that’s not enough, opt for removable wallpaper for a high-energy and bold look.
Evaluate What You Already Have Accessible:
Does your apartment have a gym? Don’t double-buy gym equipment that you already can use for free. Even a small resident gym can give you access to more equipment and space. If you feel like it’s not enough, or sometimes it is too crowded during your ideal workout schedule, supplement with a few smaller items in your apartment.