Exercise in Style for 2021

Getting more exercise is one of the most common new year resolutions of all so what better topic to blog on today than new ways to work out and spaces to do it. In the past, most of us would go to a workout facility like a gym or to a class but the pandemic has put a damper on that choice. You may choose to go out and risk it however a lot of us are working out at home. Working out at home presents its challenges. The biggest challenge can be finding a private space free from interruptions that also has the right equipment for the job. In new construction we’re seeing homeowners creating intentional workout rooms to get their daily exercise but in existing homes we’re seeing some creativity. For instance, there are some people turning part of their office into a workout space. It’s convenient and certainly helps you to incorporate it into your routine. Additionally, the retail market has realized that home workouts have become a thing of the present. There are more vendors offering exercise at home products than ever as well as more online classes via Zoom and the like than ever before. Let’s talk about some of these options.

Wonderful Workout Rooms

Here’s where the designer in me comes out. Obviously, workout rooms must be practical and I’m fortunate enough to have a relationship with Push, Peddle or Pull, a retailer that provides exercise equipment. They are a fantastic business to work with, recommending everything suited to your routine to help you get in shape and delivering it right to your workout room. But workout rooms are not necessarily all about the practical. They can be esthetically pleasing and have a touch of spa like ambiance as well with things like mirrors which help you check your form and keep that core centered. Especially for activities like yoga. Roll up your towels and put them in a basket for a cute touch but make those towels a nice fluffy spa quality. And lastly, add a cute little fridge for some cold beverages to help you stay cool and hydrated. Add a splash of color with colored hand weights and yoga mats. And don’t forget paint. You’ll be looking at the walls a lot while you do your thing so choose something pretty that appeals to you. The more pleasant your space is, the more motivated you will be to be in it and working out as hard as you can.

New Equipment for the New Year

There are many new inventions in terms of workout equipment but one of the ones I’m liking is called The Mirror. It’s a very cool interactive mirror that broadcasts workouts from certified fitness trainers and lets you see yourself doing it. It’s also includes some resistance tools that serve as exercise equipment. It tucks nicely into itself and hangs neatly out of your way on the wall. It serves as an all-encompassing home gym. One of the fantastic things about it, is that you need extraordinarily little space in your home to have it. Just hang it on the wall in your bedroom. Then it’s a nice mirror you can use to check out your evening outfit before you go out on the town, plus it’s your fitness tool. It’s not cheap so be prepared to pay but if you consider a gym membership or the cost of multiple pieces of equipment than the investment isn’t too bad. This one gets an A+ from me for form, function, and beauty.

Get in Shape Online

In 2020 we used more online communication than any other year before. Zoom, Teams, Facetime, and Facebook Live to name a few. Well, the same media that we’ve used for business meetings has served a similar purpose for exercise. One of my staff members takes an online Zumba class three days a week in her basement. She simply connects her laptop to her large screen television with an HDMI cord, logs into Zoom, and dances her way into a healthier self. And it’s a blast. I have to give props to her instructor Fumie Huseman who makes the class so fun for her members and charges only $25.00 a month. Now that’s a bargain for a better body. But wait, there are many types of classes online. There is weight training, yoga, Pilates and even ballet classes to name a few. And different levels of expertise so if you’re a beginner, no problem. It’s as simple as finding them on Google.

Transform the Spare Room into a Fitness Transformation

What’s more important, your health or the guest you host once a year. Well, you may not have to choose. There is a stylish way to accommodate both. Have you ever heard of William Lawrence Murphy? Until I wrote this blog, I hadn’t either. He’s the inventory of the Murphy bed. A full-sized bed that folds up. Usually, it tucks away into a wall cabinet. Get some easy to move or fold up workout equipment and get a Murphy bed for your spare bedroom. Then you have the best of both worlds. A place to get fit and a place to lodge your guests. The wonderful thing is that Murphy beds come in a lot of different styles and price ranges so that you can design a room that’s nice to look at and still have a practical place to sweat it out.

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