Create your own workout room
By Elena Acoba
SPECIAL TO THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR
» Resources
Schaefer Design Group, 615-5050
SWAT Fitness, 6127 N. La Cholla Blvd., Suite 123, and 7649 E.
Speedway. The phone number for personal training services is 579-6791.
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You've finally decided to exercise regularly at home. You're motivated; you've bought the equipment; you've made the time.
The next step is to create a place that makes working out easy, comfortable and fun.
Foothills resident Tony Trantas installed his equipment and
weights in a room full of sports memorabilia that he's collected over
the years.
Interior designer Barbara Schaefer used warm, neutral colors for a
soothing atmosphere. And to Trantas' specifications, she incorporated a
steam room, cabinets for towels and a health bar to make the area a
complete fitness retreat.
The effort was worth it for Trantas, who can enjoy his collection
during the three times a day when he uses the room, Schaefer says.
No matter how often one exercises at home, it's always best to make the workout room inviting.
"The more accessories that are of quality in that room, the longer
you'll probably want to stay there," says Ron Holland, owner and master
trainer at Strength Wellness Athletic Training, a company that provides
personal trainers.
From floor to ceiling, Schaefer, who has designed several exercise
rooms and areas, and Holland, who counsels clients on creating home
exercise areas, offer advice on fitting a fitness place at home.
● Floor. Schaefer suggests using carpet instead
of hard floors. Holland encourages the use of rubber pads under all
equipment as a sound damper and to make it easy to clean up sweat.
● Walls. Both say soothing paint colors are best,
naming such hues as warm taupe, soft gold and yellows, apricot, peach
and light greens.
● Lighting. Holland likes fluorescent lighting because it doesn't heat a room like halogen does.
Place exercise equipment away from windows so that it doesn't heat
the area where you're exercising and the sun doesn't get in your eyes,
he says. Choose an exercise room or area with south- or north-facing
windows.
● Storage. If you have a separate exercise room,
then equipment need not be stored, Schaefer says. "You want to try to
make everything where they're user-friendly," she says.
If exercising shares a room with other uses, find or create
storage for small equipment such as free weights, stability balls and
exercise tapes, and then bring them out when needed.
Stability balls can act as furniture in a shared room.
"You can use the stability ball to sit on and watch TV," Holland says.
● Entertainment. Install a television, visual
media player and music player in your exercise area so they're ready
when you are. Keep your remote controls near or on the machine you're
using so that you don't interrupt your workout to locate them.
● Accessories. Live plants provide oxygen in the
area, Holland says. Use a fan if you don't have air conditioning. Keep
towels and wipes in the area, as well as a water cooler or small
refrigerator stocked with water.
● Contact freelance reporter Elena Acoba at eacoba@azstarnet.com.
» Resources
Schaefer Design Group, 615-5050
SWAT Fitness, 6127 N. La Cholla Blvd., Suite 123, and 7649 E.
Speedway. The phone number for personal training services is 579-6791.
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