Over the years, we've gathered a wealth of questions from curious journalists and our valued clients, all seeking insights into the world of bespoke home gym design. This section is our curated response to those inquiries, offering you an in-depth look at some of our design processes, equipment selection, and much more.

If you were looking for frequently asked questions specifically about hiring us and/or what to expect once you do, you can find that here: PRICING & FAQ

Home Gym Design Questions

How do you approach designing a home gym? Does the process involve conversations about clients' workout goals/preferences?

Our approach to designing a home gym begins with a detailed consultation with the client to understand their workout goals, preferences, and lifestyle needs.  We also take into consideration who will be using the gym.  Often times, there are spouses who do completely different workouts.  And then many of them have children who do sports and/or will actively be using the gym as well.  This conversation is crucial as it helps us tailor the gym to their specific fitness objectives, whether it’s strength training, cardiovascular health, flexibility, or a combination. We also discuss their preferred workout styles, equipment they enjoy using, and any special requirements, such as accommodations for injuries or physical limitations.

Next, we assess the designated space for the gym, considering factors like size, layout, lighting, and ventilation. This helps us create a design that is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and harmonious with the rest of the home.

Incorporating our expertise in design (from me) and fitness (from Jim), we then propose a layout that optimizes the use of space, ensuring ease of movement (a nice flow) and safety. The selection of equipment is a key part of this phase, where we focus on quality, durability, and how each piece complements the client's workout regimen.  Of course, this also revolves around taking their budget into consideration.

Then we consider the finer details that personalize the gym space, such as color schemes, materials, and technology integration for a fully immersive and motivating workout environment. The end goal is to create a home gym that is not just a place to exercise, but a bespoke wellness retreat that inspires and supports the client's health and fitness journey whether they are a weekend warrior, longevity seeker  or a professional athlete.

What is an ideal location for a gym in the house?

The ideal location for a home gym is one that balances functionality, convenience, and inspiration. Key considerations include:

• Privacy and Seclusion: Choose a space that minimizes interruptions, promoting focus and concentration during workouts.

• Natural Light and Ventilation: Areas with ample natural light and good air circulation are preferable. This promotes a healthy and motivating environment.

• Space and Layout: The gym should be spacious enough to accommodate various equipment and allow for free movement. If you have been living in a house and are just now looking for a space, a basement, spare room, or garage can often provide enough space for a decent size gym. But if you are building (which is the case for most of our clients) a dedicated area with enough space should be thoughtfully planned. It should be noted that we actually run into this issue of space quite often. Our clients typcially have these huge houses that they’ve designed, but have only dedicated 200 - 300 square feet to their gym and wellness areas.  While finding an extra 200 to 300 square feet in a home that is already built is a blessing, it’s often deflating to people who are in the process of building large homes only to find out that the area they have designated is not quite big enough to build the dream gym that they initially envisioned.

• Sound Insulation: To avoid disturbing other household members, especially in multi-level homes, soundproofing might be necessary.  (And speaking of multi-level homes it’s also important to consider the load you are going to be putting on the floor. We also run into this issue, where people have not planned properly when wanting to put a gym on any floor that is not ground level.)

• Ease of Access: The gym should be easily accessible from within the house without being too intrusive into living areas.

• Views and Aesthetics: If possible, having a pleasant view can enhance the workout experience. Large windows overlooking a garden or natural scenery can be very motivating.  These are some of my favorite gyms.

Is there an ideal plan for the placement of equipment within a room?  How do you think about the division of space with a home gym?

When designing the layout of a home gym, it's essential to consider a strategic division of space for optimal functionality. Initially the gym should be zoned for different activities, such as cardio, strength training, and stretching, with ample space around each equipment for safety and ease of movement so there is a sort of ‘rule to follow’ however you also have to take into consideration the square footage of the room, it’s windows, the shape of the room, it’s walkways, the ceiling height and so much more.  Including where the mirrors will be (if any), especially in strength training areas. The layout should also allow flexibility for future adjustments or additions, ensuring the space evolves with your fitness journey and maintains a balance between practicality and aesthetics.

What is the best flooring for a Home Gym

Trends for 2024

Are there any specific pieces of gym equipment, recovery apparatus or wellness spaces that have been high demand recently?

Honestly for us there hasn’t been a specific piece of equipment that is in high demand.  But there has been a noticeable shift in home gym design, moving from traditional spaces focused solely on cardio and strength equipment to more holistic wellness-oriented environments. Clients are increasingly interested in integrating features like infrared saunas, plunge pools, high-end massage tables, and recovery machines such as zero gravity beds. Additionally, there's a growing trend for indoor/outdoor spaces. For instance, a home gym might have an adjoining area with a plunge pool and sauna, or a seamless transition to an outdoor yoga and meditation deck. These elements reflect a broader trend towards incorporating wellness and recovery into fitness spaces, underscoring a more holistic approach to health and well-being.

Specificially, “everyone” has a Peloton.  But they typically have that already, before they come to us.  Again, we don’t really have anyone calling us for a must have piece of equipment.  It might be noteworthy that I have had more requests from men to include a pilates reformer in with their strength training equipment.  I’ve had enough men recently ask, that I could include that as something new … years ago, I would have never had a request like that. And of course, people do call us specifically for luxury brands as we are one very few importers in the country who specializes in that.

How would you like to see home gym design evolve in 2024?

In 2024, I envision home gym design evolving towards even more personalized and technology-integrated spaces. The focus is shifting towards more smart gyms and it will probably be equipped with AI-driven equipment that not only tracks progress but also offers customized workout plans beyond what Tonal and Peloton already do. I see that the integration of virtual reality for immersive fitness experiences could become more prevalent, allowing users to virtually transport themselves to different environments for their workouts, which sounds amazing and it even might be.  However, I’d like to see a balance. While embracing technology and innovation in home gym design, I'd also advocate for a more balanced approach where not everything is about metrics and statistics. The recent trend towards obsessing over longevity and perfect health metrics can be counterproductive. It's essential to encourage people to enjoy their workouts and focus on how they feel, rather than just the numbers. Fitness should be about overall well-being, joy, and sustainability, not just about chasing data points. A shift towards intuitive and mindful exercise, where personal satisfaction and wellness are the primary goals, would be a healthy evolution in the home gym ethos.  Additionally, I’d like to see an increased emphasis on multifunctional spaces that blend seamlessly with the rest of the home, reflecting a holistic approach to wellness that encompasses mental, physical, and emotional health.

What kind of demand for home gyms have you seen in the last five years? Have any pandemic changes stuck?

I’ve been doing this for about 14 years now and in the last five years, the demand for home gyms has significantly escalated, particularly among those who value bespoke design and luxury living. This surge is largely attributed to a heightened awareness of health and wellness, coupled with the growing community of biohackers and longevity seekers and (of course) a desire for convenient, personalized solutions.  However it should be noted that the traditional home gym request has expanded since I first started doing this.  Earlier, home gyms were primarily focused on strength training and cardiovasular equipment.  Today, there’s a strong emphasis on holistic wellness, incorporating spaces for yoga, meditation, stretching, pilates and activities that support mental health and mindfulness. People use to ask us what our fitness routines were, but now they also ask us how to reduce stress (and wrinkles) and even what books we read. They want everything that Jim and I have.

The pandemic served as a catalyst, accelerating this trend as people sought ways to maintain their fitness regimes safely at home but I believe the shift to wellness has more to do with the biohacking and longevity seekers I previously mentioned. (Though the biohackers and longevity seekers could be a result of the pandemic as well.) Again, I’ve noticed a discernible shift in preferences towards creating more holistic, multi-functional wellness spaces rather than just traditional gyms. This includes integrating advanced technology for virtual training sessions, environmentally conscious design elements, and customizing spaces that are not just about fitness but also about mental well-being. Our clients no longer want to just be more fit, they also want to live longer and look younger while their at it. These changes, initiated during the pandemic, have indeed stuck, reflecting a broader lifestyle shift where health, convenience, and the aesthetics of personal space are paramount. The post-pandemic era has not seen a dip in this demand; rather, it's become a sustained part of luxury home design.

Please Note

The questions and answers featured on this page are uniquely tailored to IRON HOUSE and the expertise of Tanya & Jim. We've dedicated considerable time and thought to crafting these responses, aiming to share our insights and processes generously with all visitors and we are delighted to offer this knowledge as a resource. We just kindly request that any use of this information in media publications, personal blogs or as a public resource includes proper credit to IRON HOUSE. Your respect for our intellectual property is greatly appreciated. Also, it might be important to note that again, the answers are uniquely tailored to our experiences: please consider our clientele when reviewing them. We will take on just about anyone as a client, but we tend to have a clientele base that is of high-net worth and that is reflective in some of our responses.

Also, we encourage you to revisit this page frequently, as we plan to continuously enrich it with new content and insights. Thank you for your interest and cooperation.