Very often, good intentions to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle fall victim to busy schedules and lack of time for oneself. Which is why, the home gym is becoming increasingly prevalent. From private wellness havens tucked into villas and designed in keeping with the overall décor scheme, to immaculately appointed fitness centres housed within exclusive residential developments, there is a version of the home gym at hand for those looking for a dopamine hit at their convenience.
With fitness brands such as Technogym, the Olympics-approved Italian label developing top-of-the-line and intuitive gym equipment, creating one’s own wellness space is easier than ever.
“To create an effective home gym, optimised space utilisation is key,” says Kristina Bråteng, the founder and CEO of Dubai-based studio, B8 Architecture. “Start by defining clear zones for the various workout activities, such as cardio, strength training, stretching, etc. Ensure that adequate space between each equipment is provided to prevent crowding and to allow safe movement.” Installing mirrors strategically, especially by the weights section, will facilitate proper form and technique and also create the illusion of a bigger space; perfect for when real estate is at a premium.
“When it comes to the location of the home gym and the ambiance of the workout space, both taste and practicality count,” explains Jennie Binchy of Binchy and Binchy architects, an award-winning studio based in the UAE. Durable materials, proper levels of illumination and finishes that will protect the user must be considered. She also recommends collaborating with a gym specialist from the get-go. “This is very helpful in avoiding expensive mistakes. Brands such as Technogym advise us and our clients on how to make the most of the space by recommending equipment that is both multifunctional as well as aligned with the end-user's fitness goals.” Based on the equipment’s technical requirement, weight and safety features, Technogym’s in-house specialists collaborate with designers and homeowners to create tailor-made solutions.
“A piece of equipment we typically recommend for a home gym is the Technogym Plurima Multistation Series,” says Richard Wagner of Wanders Wagner Hussain, an architecture and engineering studio based in Dubai Design District. “It covers almost all parts of a good daily strength workout and gives the user options to modify exercises. Plus, the system is available in various configurations, and can be positioned with the space in mind – either by the wall or as a tower in the middle in the room.
For Binchy, Technogym’s sleek Kinesis Personal by Antonio Citterio is a must-have: “As an architect I love it because not only does it look beautiful but it’s also extremely versatile. It mimics ‘real life’ movements; so rather than feeling like a rigid or prescribed workout, training feels natural, with the added comfort of being able to exercise within your own home.”
“Last but not least, try to prioritise natural light and ventilation by adding big windows and proper air circulation and filtration solutions,” says Bråteng. “It will avoid creating an overwhelming environment, meaning that you will be more inclined to spend time at your home gym… and enjoy it while you work on your wellness goals.”
