| 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. |
