For the dedicated fitness enthusiast, a gym session is an integral part of the day. However, busy schedules may make it more practical to have a home gym. Moreover, when you have a home gym, you save on gym fees and the time spent getting there. It is an investment that pays for itself manyfold in the long term.

When one thinks of how to set up a home gym, a list of essential items is important. When you have the basics in place, you can add on more according to the space and budget available. Here are a few quick tips for setting up a home gym:

1. Identify the space
Not everyone has an entire room that they can dedicate to a home gym. If you do have a spare bedroom or office space, then you are fortunate. Otherwise, the first step to setting up a home gym is to an ideal space within your home. An unused area in your living space that lets you stretch out when upright or lying down is essential for basic workouts. If your workout involves more moving-around, then make sure that you have enough space to do so without bumping into furniture. If you also have space to display or store your equipment, then that’s even better.

2. Choose your equipment
The equipment chosen for your home gym should be suitable for cardio and strength training, among other things. If you have ample space, then a treadmill is the obvious choice for cardio workouts. But not every home gym needs to have a huge treadmill. A humble skipping rope will suffice to give you a cardio workout at home. It is also good for whole-body coordination. A weighted rope can facilitate strength training as well. Some people like stair-steppers for a good cardio workout in small spaces. Hula hoops are also a fun cardio workout.

Strength training equipment takes up a lot of space in a traditional gym. However, it is possible to fit strength training equipment in a smaller space. You can start setting up your gym with a kettlebell and a pair of adjustable dumbbells. If you have space, then an entire set of dumbbells can be a good investment. Balance discs are better for a small home gyms, where space is a constraint. If you have enough space, then you can buy a stability ball.

When you decide to set up a home gym, you should, at the very least, have space for a yoga mat on which to perform floor exercises. Even a fully equipped gym should have a yoga mat for pre- and post-workout stretching.

3. Plan your storage
Storage is an important aspect of a home gym. Unless you dedicate a space to displaying your equipment, it makes sense to plan storage for your home gym. This could be a set of boxes or a storage cupboard. Some home gyms have open-wall storage spaces or racks to display equipment and save on some space.

4. Pick your medium of entertainment
If you use music or videos as part of your workout, then your home gym may need a Bluetooth speaker, wireless earphones, or WiFi for entertainment.