Turn unused space into an inviting home gym

Illustration by Kyle Ellingson LIGHTING Natural light is the most energizing for a workout, but not every room has great window placement, and many people work out when the sun isn’t up. But

artificial lighting can be harsh, uninviting and unflattering. The trick is to eliminate shadows, Webber says. “Like a vanity mirror, you want lighting that comes from the sides as well as

the top,” he says. Consider lighting with modern technology that will let you adjust the tone among warm, white and daylight settings. That will let you set the mood for your activity.

Dimmers will give you more control, letting you recreate the ambiance and energy of a dim indoor cycling studio, for example, says Kelley Robinson, assistant professor of interior

architecture and design at Florida State. Illustration by Kyle Ellingson EQUIPMENT Optimally, you should be able to do each of the four main types of exercise (strength training, cardio,

balance exercises, stretching) in the same room. That likely will require a 7-by-7-foot space with no equipment where you will do much of your movement. Where that space is will define what

equipment you can safely have on hand. There are a few key items that can help make it all work, Duke says. ADJUSTABLE WEIGHTS AND RESISTANCE BANDS: No need to get a whole set of dumbbells

of different weights. Modern dumbbells will adjust from five to 50 pounds with a twist of a handle. That gives you a full rack’s worth of weights in one compact set. Simple resistance bands,

meanwhile, let you work every muscle, and they can hang on a hook. BENCH: “Invest in a bench so you can strength-train properly,” Duke says. “Then you don’t always have to get down on the

floor, and you can sit down to take a break. You can get them in great colors, so the room is stylish.” CARDIO FOLDABLES: For smaller spaces, look into compact exercise equipment, like a

foldable treadmill that can be tucked against a wall when not in use, Duke says. Some exercise bikes are also compact. PERSONAL TRAINING TECH: For an incredibly compact, all-in-one great

exercise experience, consider a tech solution such as a wall-mounted screen that delivers a full-body workout via two cable arms that extend from the screen. These also use digital

resistance so you can do hundreds of moves without actual weights, Duke explains. “You just need a 7-by-7-foot area in front of the machine to be able to exercise,” says NASM-certified

personal trainer Molly Ritterbeck, who works for Tonal, a popular manufacturer of such equipment. Be aware, though, that these units are pricey, costing into the thousands, often with

monthly subscription charges too. Other popular brands are Speediance and OxeFit.