Home-gym design how-to

Shape, Feb, 2005 by Gabrielle Gayagoy

Considering setting up a home gym? Join the club--sales of home-exercise equipment, including weight machines, dumbbells and fitness videos, shot up by more than 80 percent in the last decade, according to the National Sporting Goods Association.

Sadly, many purchases wind up gathering dust or serving alternate purposes (hey, who doesn't have a "friend" who's turned her treadmill into a clothing rack?). To ensure your home gym gets a workout, try these tricks from designer Stephen Saint-Onge of Philips Designing at Home (designingathome.com), which showcases how to marry home design and technology.

Find an inspiring location. Choose a space in your home that's inviting and accessible. This could mean a covered patio with garden views or your own bedroom. A dark, dank basement won't make you want to work out.

Don't go overboard. Consult a personal trainer to help you decide what equipment to buy. "Start out with the basics so you feel comfortable and not overwhelmed," Saint-Onge advises. "As your needs expand, add on."

Use the right light. "Lighting really affects your mood and attitude," Saint-Onge says. Skip the fluorescent lights and instead choose ones with a dimmer or halogen bulbs that will give the space a warm glow and make you look healthier, inspiring you to keep working out.

Let the beat move your feet. Studies show that music can motivate you to exercise at a higher intensity. Invest in a sound system for your home gym or get an MP3 player to keep the tunes at your fingertips.

Maintain order. Don't let your home gym become a catchall or storage room. Staying organized and thinking ahead--whether it involves setting out your gym clothes the night before or rewinding your exercise tape for the next session--also helps ensure that your home workouts are as painless as possible.