7 Ways to Refresh your Home Gym Routine for Spring

Since the pandemic, the prevalence of home gyms has grown exponentially with a staggering 72% of UK homeowners (UK Globdata) claiming they have invested in a lifestyle of home fitness.

But what happens when your home routine becomes a little stagnant? 

Maybe your workout mojo has fizzled out over the colder, darker months or your home set-up just isn’t firing up the drive you need to maintain your fitness goals.

With Spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to refresh a dull training schedule, breathe new life into your home gym set-up and get your energy levels back on point.

Here are 7 simple tips on how to kick-start your fitness journey and enhance your workout experience at home.

1. Get the Enjoyment Back

If you’re struggling to be consistent with exercise and find yourself dreading the next torturous workout then you need to look at fitness content and substance.

Aim to drive enjoyment back into your personal fitness by investing in exercise activities that you are naturally drawn towards rather than what you think will be the most effective.

The enjoyment factor plays a massive part in how sustainable your home exercise plans will be.

Many of us stick hard and fast to familiar workout routines that have been effective in the past, only to realise after skipping afternoon sessions here and there, that it no longer works – both physically and because we’ve become bored.

Invest in the time to actively source quality workout material that appeals to you whether that be cycling, pilates or regular HIIT sessions.  There are tons of apps, subscriptions and interactive gym equipment that allows you to try almost any type of activity or join an online community that matches your level of fitness and interests.

When you begin to enjoy workouts you’ll notice that you have stepped up a gear from merely surviving tough workouts to thriving within an active lifestyle. 

2. Add Colour to Your Home Gym

Colour brings energy and creativity into a fitness environment.  It can add positivity, vitality or even soothing, relaxed vibes to your gym space. 

Paint your walls in bold or muted colours that inspire you and create an ambience that you enjoy being part of.

Photo by Lorenzo Fattò Offidani on Unsplash

Your favourite tones can be injected into any part of your gym décor from walls, equipment pieces and wall art to your gym flooring.

Consider a theme that will allow you to easily incorporate the colours and character you want to capture whether that be zesty brights, understated zen-like neutrals or sultry, dark shades for a boutique style gym look.

3. Try Something New

Having a home gym gives you a great opportunity to sample new methods of exercise.

If a basic dumbbell workout isn’t cutting it, you have the freedom to set up a complete barbell station with functional rigs or even a Pilates section to try out new ways of getting your dose of fitness in.

Even if you are limited with space or budget, you don’t need to invest in new equipment to experiment with alternative exercises. Simply, switching up your current routine and opting for more varied content can make all the difference to your regular regime.

4. Bring Self-Care Into the Mix

A home gym doesn’t need to be just about fitness.  It can also be a space to spend quality time by yourself. 

Practicing meditation, listening to music, even painting your toenails are all relaxing, self-care activities which create a good balance between your exercise routine and quality time to unwind, recharge and de-stress.

Establishing these new associations and habits can incentivise your time spent in a home gym and strengthen your commitment to working out regularly.

Self-Care Suggestions

• Meditation & Relaxation Techniques
• Music Therapy
• Dancing
• Yoga
• Pilates
• Skincare & Beauty Routines
• Gaming
• Hobbies
• Reading

5. Declutter & Revive Equipment

Take the time to declutter your gym, remove equipment that you no longer use and introduce proper storage to keep your key workout tools neatly stacked and easily accessible.  This serves as a new starting point in which you can start to build in better efficiency and fluidity to your gym sessions.

Upgrade any equipment that shows heavy wear and introduce new pieces to keep your routine fresh and engaging like swapping dumbbells for a Slam Ball or adding Resistance Bands for extra intensity.

6. Switch Up Workout Times

Sometimes switching up when you exercise can make a massive difference to your motivation and physical energy levels.  If early-morning workouts really aren’t your bag, forcing yourself to follow a morning routine can be more detrimental to long-term success. 

Being limited to workout slots because of work and home-life commitment can place us in a cycle of struggling through exercise we don’t enjoy and then failing to keep consistent. Opting for less sessions and selecting specific times of the day, or week, when you are more ‘in the zone’ can be a game-changer to how you approach exercise going forward.

7. Add Your Own Personality

Treat your gym space as an extension of your home with a style that reflects your personality and personal tastes.  Get creative with decor and make your space stand out from the rest with funky wall art, lighting and statement accessories that not only contribute to the aesthetic but create a great vibe for exercising in.

Putting your own stamp to a home gym gives you complete ownership of how you use it, what you get from it and most importantly your personal commitment to long-term fitness.

Here’s some decor ideas to add your own fitness flourish:

Wall Art

From inspirational quotes, vintage art and fitness themed posters, wall art can transform a dull space into something uniquely special.  Choose art that blends with your colour palette or switch it up for something more eclectic.

Plants

Bring a touch of nature into your gym space with some glossy plants or hanging greenery.  Plants not only freshen the air and reduce pollution, they can improve mood and mental stimulation for when you need that extra workout focus.

Floor Tiles

Besides playing an important part in workout safety and performance, gym flooring also adds to your overall gym aesthetic.

Why not opt for sleek rubber gym flooring in Jigsaw design or a fresh ultra-light Snowflake pattern to add some depth and texture to your space.

(Image – Gym-Flooring)

Coupled with the professional finish and functional performance, statement gym flooring will support your workouts for years to come.

Lighting

There’s never been a better time to get creative with lighting with so many striking and funky offerings on the market.  Gym lighting can be anything from retro strip lighting and spotlights to coloured club-vibe LEDs to really create an impact.

Good lighting is important for home gym workouts especially if you have a lack of natural sunlight so go to town with your lighting choices and add a flicker of your own personality.

Spring is the perfect season to rejuvenate your fitness environment and revive a tired training regime that may have lost its spark over the winter months.

By making small changes to enhance your workout experience and investing the time to address a workable and sustainable home fitness strategy is key.  This can make all the difference in how you navigate your fitness journey going forward and achieving on-going success.

Written by Katie McKay – Fitness Blogger (@ Sprung Gym-Flooring)