For the capital’s high-flyers, the installation of a home gym can make the achievement of fitness and wellbeing a reality.
A bespoke work out area in your own home is bound to improve both physical and mental health. Whether you have your heart set on a functional gym with cardio zone, a family fitness centre with equipment for the kids or a relaxing wellness oasis for the practice of yoga, Pilates and meditation, a home gym designer can bring your dream to life.
Sally Ottewell, Gym and Spa Consultant at Motive8, says, “Developing a home gym does require space, but not as much as you might think. A professional will encourage you to see your garage, spare room or garden building differently and look at the potential for exercise space.”
Motive8’s home gym solutions start from around £10,000 and they can produce 2D/3D/CAD drawings, equipment recommendations and a full design proposal.
“When consulting we ask what your fitness goals are. For some, cardio is important. For others, core strength and endurance. For many, exercise is about recovery from injury or illness. It’s rare that the home gym is just intended for one family member, so we aim to find out what everybody needs. This way, your investment is maximised.”
Roger Keusch of Keusch Architecture and Design specialises in remodelling London properties and has just completed a large basement project which includes a gym.
He says, “I designed the space, ventilation and lighting and the client has fitted it out with the Bulldog Gear kit. As the gym is in the basement without any external windows, we needed a mechanical ventilation system to supply fresh air and remove stale air. The MVHR (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery) transfers heat from stale air to incoming fresh air so there is little heat loss. The ventilation control is on a movement sensor so automatically switches on or off. There is also ‘purge’ ventilation so if it gets really sweaty you have a more powerful extractor. The underfloor heating is on its own thermostat so the gym can be kept cooler than surrounding spaces. We have allowed for air conditioning but the client will see how they get on without it. The gym has a full mirrored wall, Sonos sound system and TV, and the lighting can be programmed for different moods.”
Mark Reynolds, founder and director of WeMakeGyms, says, “The technology and vast range of apparatus available is mesmerising. Some elaborate requests have been for an indoor climbing wall and equipment that retreats into a wall recess when out of use.
“We can adapt any space. For those with low ceilings and limited space, we look at smaller, adaptable apparatus as some equipment can be tall – 2.2m plus. Those looking for a fully functioning cardio and strength gym need a ceiling height of at least 2.4m.”
A WeMakeGyms basic bespoke set-up, consisting of cardio machine, dumbbells, adjustable bench and flooring (a padded or rubber floor to absorb noise and keep equipment stable is recommended), costs between £2,500 and £5,000. A luxury home gym with two or three cardio machines, squat rack, free weights, cable machine, adjustable bench, combat fitness equipment, feature wall, flooring, audio visual equipment and air conditioning has a price tag of around £30,000.
Whether formed from existing floor space or incorporated into an extension or redesign project, a gym at home is bound to boost your wellbeing and help you to smash those fitness goals.
