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One useful guideline
in choosing the perfect place to do you exercise at home is
to choose a space, or develop one that the program can be “lived
with.” Designers of fitness programs suggest that the following
three basic provisions should be made of you plan to work out
at home.
Find Enough
Space
Floor exercises and
weight lifting take a floor area measuring approximately 7.5
by 10.5 feet. A larger area would, of course, be welcome. But
to avoid bouncing off the walls you should have the space indicated.
The height of the ceiling does not matter unless a trapeze or
rings are to be installed. in either case, the exercise area
require an 11-foot ceiling. For all other purposes, a ceiling
clearance of 8 feet is adequate.
Set-Up A Mirror
A mirror set up close
to the exercise area expands the space in a visual sense. More
importantly, the mirror makes it possible for the person to
check the accuracy of his or her exercise positions and routines
when working out alone. If possible, the mirror should be six
feet high by three feet wide so that it provides a full-length
view.
Ensure Safety Underfoot
Because slippery
floors can present major safety hazards, the footing should
be tested and retested for safety. Carpeting helps unless the
exercise program includes dance routines. In general, a tightly-woven,
looped-pile, industrial-grade carpeting is recommended. This
kind of carpeting has one major advantage over cutpile—shag
or velvet surface—carpeting: the looped-pile type is more durable.
Just incidentally, the looped-pile type is cheaper.
Got a space problem?
No room at all for privacy while charging through a workout?
No place to install and use an exercycle or treadmill? Think
a minute. Can space be created? If the exercise equipment had
to be stored, where would it go? Can that storage room be turned
into an exercise area? A separate room isn’t necessarily the
only solution. Closets may be useful in solving the no-space
problem. A walk-in closet may serve as a special niche for some
types of equipment. A two-foot deep enclosure can be created
along a wall by installing folding doors; some equipment can
then be hidden behind the barrier. When the doors are opened,
presto! The area becomes a miniature gym!
Because exercise equipment has to be ready for use without much
advance preparation, it may be desirable to feature it as part
of the overall layout. An exercycle may be placed in a corner
in a cleared space. A set of barbells may rest on a simple bench
that holds them in notches for safety. Ballet bars may double
as towel bars when not serving their fitness functions. For
real performance and solidity, exercise benches might be recessed
into the walls. They could be covered with throws when not in
use. |
