Home gyms have shot up in popularity since the pandemic, as fitness enthusiasts had to move their normal workout routines from the gym when they were forced to close. However, all the large equipment can take up a lot of room at home, which is why converting a shipping container could be the ideal solution.
What you will need to transform the space into a functional gym will depend on your fitness goals, but here are some basic things you will require for a fully functional home gym.
Rubber flooring
The first thing you need to fit out your converted shipping container is appropriate flooring. This is so the floor underneath is protected in case heavy weights are dropped or you plan to do a lot of high-intensity workouts. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about paying for expensive repairs to your floor.
It is also important the floor is slip-resistant, so you don’t risk any injury when you are moving around, particularly when carrying weights. The right type of flooring will also absorb the impact on your joints, helping you to avoid hurting yourself and boosting your performance.
Rubber is the optimum choice of gym flooring, as it is cushioned, comfortable, and can be wiped clean. It is also durable, and provides grip, so you don’t have to worry about slipping during a fast or heavy workout.
Wall mirrors
Although many people get their workout routines from the internet, books or occasional sessions from their personal trainers, it is hard to make sure proper form is maintained when working out at home.
That is why it is a good idea to fit wall mirrors in the shipping container, as this allows you to see whether you have the correct form, and alter it if you haven’t.
Poor form can cause stresses and strains on your joints and tendons, so it is sensible to check you are doing it right before you injure yourself.
Doing a workout correctly will mean you can prevent pain, particularly in your shoulders, neck and knees. It also means the right muscles are being targeted so you can see better results.
Cardio equipment
Good cardiovascular health is important, as it helps manage cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, regulates blood sugar, improves blood flow, gets the lungs working, manages weight, and boosts your mood.
There are many ways of doing cardio, including going for a run, high-intensity interval training, cycling, and swimming to name a few. If you want to do these in your home gym, however, it is a good idea to invest in the right equipment such as a treadmill, crosstrainer, step machine, or bike.
These mean you can get your cardio in every day at your convenience, without having to depend on leisure centre opening times or the weather.
Power rack
If you are serious about working out and want to improve your strength as well as your cardio fitness, it could be an idea to buy a power rack.
These allow you to do a multitude of weight training exercises, including bench presses, barbell squats and lunges, pull-ups and chin-ups, hanging leg raises, deadlifts, dips, shoulder shrugs, barbell rows, and calf presses.
With a power rack, you can get a full body workout just using a barbell and some weights.
