Self Care: Creating a Home Workout Space

A few weeks after I was laid off (RIF’ed), I started to think more and more about my health and what I could do to focus more on exercising.  Both of our children are grown and, at the encouragement of our daughter, my wife and I agreed to convert my son’s bedroom to a workout/exercise room.  

My wife was having a difficult time processing this transition because of the emotions tied to moving our son’s personal effects out of his room, and not wanting him to feel like he wouldn’t have a place to stay if he wanted to visit overnight (not to mention so many childhood memories).  I reminded her that we had a guest room with its own facilities and, of course, that he was always welcome.

I must admit that I’m not a great fan of big and crowded commercial fitness clubs, nor do I relish getting up at 5 am to go for a run.  However, my wife and I have been working out on Saturdays with a virtual trainer for several years.  The downside was always that we had to use a very cramped area between the dining and living rooms using a small laptop.  There had to be a better way!  Hence, the creation of our workout/exercise room!  But, how to start?

First of all, we had to clear out my son’s room to make space, so we arranged to move the largest obstacle, his bed, to my mother-in-law’s home, along with a large cabinet.   Other items were packed and donated or discarded until we had a mostly open space.

Now it was time to research and plan how to determine the right equipment and supporting pieces to create a work-out room in a small 12 x 12 space.  I started with Google, of course, looking at various images of work-out rooms and equipment. The basics included weights, bands for stretching, and an adjustable weight bench.  I then realized I needed something for cardio fitness.  I wasn’t very fond of treadmills because they take up too much space and aren’t very exciting. I figured I could always go outside for a walk.  A stationary bicycle wasn’t of interest either, because it only exercised my lower body and seemed very monotonous for me, even more than a treadmill.  Finally, I decided on a rowing machine that would support cardio for my entire body.  Most of the rowers I researched were very cool, but they were costly and too large for the room.  I finally found a compact unit on Amazon.   

When the rowing machine arrived, it came in almost 50 pieces, so it took me a couple of hours to assemble it.  However, once I had fully assembled it and tried it out, I knew it was very well worth it.  Moreover, it was actually fun to exercise.  But there were two more pieces missing.  Jumping up and down on a hardwood floor was too much impact for my feet and knees, so I located a set of foam tiles that fit together like a large puzzle-piece and it provided the necessary cushion that I needed.

There was one more component needed to make my workout room complete.  Can you guess what it was?  Yes, I wanted a television so that I could stream exercise programs (Nike has a whole series, and so does Apple TV) and watch a game or two to pass the time.  I headed to Best Buy, and after researching various sizes and specifications, settled on a 42” Sony LED TV and never looked back.  There were a few complexities in setting up Zoom sessions with my trainer which I solved with an IPAD connected to the TV.

Since I’ve set up my work-out room and started a routine, I feel healthier and I am proud that I was able to make this adjustment to better my self-care.  I’ve been able to lose or maintain my weight, I have more energy, and I don’t get tired as fast as I used to.  Of course, I haven’t gotten to the point where I need to buy a new wardrobe, but there is that possibility if the trend continues. 

In any event, what I want to offer is that it is critical to maintain a regimen.  Without that discipline, your exercise or self-care program is likely to fail.  So I try to practice by working out in the early evenings, after work or when I get a break.  I also try to move around during the working day.  Stretching, yoga and pilates are also alternative programs.  What’s great in today’s world is that you have the option of taking a class in person or virtually via Zoom.  There are also numerous free streaming options on youtube and other services. So many options, so little time. 

So there it is, my work-out room is complete and I’ve been enjoying the work-outs in the comfort of home ever since.  I hope you, too, will take steps towards better self-care.

Alex