Whether it’s for convenience or a desire for more privacy, building a home gym is becoming one of the most popular home remodeling projects today.

Plain old dollars and cents (or should we say sense?) is another reason homeowners are excited about this home remodeling project. With gym membership prices continually climbing, money spent building a home gym will soon pay off.

And you get to choose the music — maybe the best bonus of all!

Most people opt to build their home gym in the basement. No matter where you put it, however, make sure to give careful consideration to the size of the space, as well as lighting and ventilation. This room has a very specific function. Be sure to plan accordingly.

The most important thing to keep in mind — especially if you do plan to build your gym in the basement — is the ceiling height. You need enough headroom for equipment and for stretching. At least seven feet is recommended, although you may need more depending on the height of those who will be using the space.

Good lighting is another major consideration. If there is not a lot of natural light in the space, adequate lighting is essential. Without it you might find you feel more sleepy and irritable than energetic. Try halogen track lights or pot lights. Map out a plan for the equipment first so that you have focused light in the right areas.

When doing your lighting plan, also give some thought to the placement of electrical outlets. Unless you don’t mind routing a lot of electrical cords around the room, you’ll probably need more than the average number of outlets for plugging in the equipment and entertainment system.

Given the nature of a home gym, good ventilation will be critical. Make sure to have a proper fan installed, or at the very least the ability to open a window.

When planning the space, map out what equipment you plan to put in it. You may not be able to afford everything all at once, but knowing what you do want will help you figure out how much space you’ll need. Remember to give yourself the extra space.

Everyone’s idea of the perfect gym is different, but here’s a quick list of some of the equipment you’ll want to consider for a well-rounded gym:

	Dumbbells ranging from 5 lbs through to 40 lbs
	Workout bench
	Cardio equipment, such as an elliptical trainer and exercise bike
	Fitness ball
	Universal machine
	Non-slip mat for stretching

Building a home gym is an exciting remodeling project. Talk to a professional contractor to make sure you have a solid plan. With information and preparation before you begin, you can be sure to build a gym you’ll want to spend time in.

Working out just got a whole lot easier!