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Setting up your home Gym

By Interior Designer Shaynna Blaze-Vaughan of blankcanvas INTERIORS

Nothing like a burst of sunshine to get you think of getting back into the dreaded bikini. Unfortunately there s a rush to the gym, spend thousands of dollars and make a tone of excuses or hands up those who are guilty of buying as much equipment as you can then the most exercise you get is power walking past it before the guilt sets in? Or buying one lonely fit-ball, roll on it a few times and give up not knowing what to really do with it?

Setting up your own gym can save you money in the end but plan your space and you will get the most out of your investment.

Be practical

When setting up your home gym you need to be realistic about the space you can afford to allocate to it. Once you have committed to it, own it. Start with measuring the area and research at your local sports store, or ask your personal trainer, what pieces are best suited for that size room or corner of a room you have claimed as your workout area.

Make sure you have a shelf or bench, no matter how small, to house your water bottle, training diary, spare towel, music etc so you don’t have to move to three or four rooms to collect them each time. Even have room for your runners ready to slip on at a moments notice!

The senses

Our environment of what we see, hear, and smell constantly plays on our motivation.

Hear- Make sure you have a radio, CD player or even leave your i-pod there ready to switch on.

See- Choose a colour that makes you happy but most of all makes you feel alive, for example,

• Blues and turquoise – remind you of walks along the beach.

• Yellow - for its vibrant and happy nature.

Then use these colours on your towel, water bottle even the cover of your fitness diary. Having these items match will also give you a sense of order. Have a poster featuring these colours to give a point of focus when on the treadmill or doing free weights.

A full-length mirror is important to make sure you keep an eye on your posture. If you don’t have a wall available use a cheval mirror. Plus, you can keep an eye on how hot you are going to be!

Smell- Keep an oil burner on a side bench, or a small bowl of water with fragrances such at Grapefruit, Thyme, Basil, Lavender and Peppermint which are known for increased physical performance *.

Most of all don’t use the area as a place to hang the laundry or a dumping ground for when un-expected friends arrive. This is your place to achieve the best possible you, so creating a clean and specific environment with colours and fragrances that inspire you reduces the chance of making up excuses.
Good Luck!

*Taken from The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood

by Shaynna Blaze-Vaughan
blankcanvas INTERIORS
www.blankcanvasint.com