How to Create the Ultimate Home Gym and Office Combo in a Small Space
Creating a functional home gym and office in a small space might seem challenging, but with the right approach, it's entirely possible to design a versatile area that serves multiple purposes. This article details how to transform an empty room into a productive environment for both work and exercise.
Starting with a Blank Canvas
The space described is 7 meters long by 2.8 meters wide, with a sloping ceiling measuring 2.11 meters at its highest point and 1.95 meters at its lowest. While the ceiling height limits some overhead exercises, this constraint can easily be overcome by modifying workouts to seated or kneeling positions.
Setting the Atmosphere
The first step in transforming the space was installing acoustic wall panels. These serve a dual purpose: softening the background to create warmth while reducing echo. To combat the natural darkness at the back of the room, black LED light strips from LED Space were added. These strips remain nearly invisible when turned off but provide adjustable brightness when activated.
Equipment Selection and Organization
Here's a breakdown of the key components that went into this home gym and office setup:
Office Equipment
- A Secret Lab Titan Evo chair, chosen for its pebble seat that allows for comfortable position changes
- Secret Lab's Magnus Pro desk in black, a sit-stand desk that enables position changes throughout the workday
Flooring
Twelve 1m x 1m rubber floor tiles were installed to create a durable exercise surface.
Strength Training Equipment
- An Olympic 20kg barbell from Rival Strength
- A workout bench
- Refurbished dumbbells (painted from rusting grey to matte black)
- The Freak Athlete HyperPro with leg developer kit – a versatile 9-in-1 machine that functions as a 45-degree back extension, Nordic curl station, reverse hyper extension, hip thrust platform, and leg extension/curl machine
Additional Fitness Accessories
- Sandbags from GoRuck
- Weighted backpacks for rucking
- Foam rollers
- Exercise mat
- Bumper plates
- Battle ropes
Designing with Purpose
The equipment selection was intentional, focusing on strength building for the average person rather than specialized athletic training. Bulky cardio machines were avoided since cardio can be done outdoors, and no lifting platform was installed as heavy deadlifting with dropped weights wasn't a priority.
Key Considerations for Your Own Setup
When creating your own home gym and office combination, remember these important points:
- Assess your available space and its limitations
- Consider equipment that serves multiple purposes to maximize functionality
- Choose items based on your specific needs and goals, not what others typically include
- Think about aesthetics and atmosphere – lighting and wall treatments make a difference
- Select ergonomic office furniture that supports proper posture and position changes
With thoughtful planning and strategic equipment choices, even a relatively small space can be transformed into an effective environment for both productivity and fitness. The key is to customize the space to your specific needs rather than trying to replicate a commercial gym or office.
