Do you remember a little over a month ago when I shared our affordable playroom transformation? The boys have been loving it so much, but so have I! Using the Sauder bookcases it is so much easier to clean up!
I was so happy with the Sauder bookcases I decided to use another one in a different room. Instead of multiple short bookcases, this time I picked out a tall bookcase to review. At first I thought I was going to use it in my son’s room to help him organize his many books and his rock collection, but having spent the last 14 weeks training for my first half marathon I decided that where I really needed it was for something very different!
Training for this half marathon has been very enlightening. I learned that I actually love to run and it’s a great mental escape for me. However I also learned that with my husband deployed overseas and two little kids that sometimes scheduling a run can be as exhausting as the multiple miles I was putting on my Mizuno running shoes! My sitter isn’t always available, and the kids sometimes get sick or have rough days where going to the gym isn’t an option. Maybe I needed my own home gym!
How To Create A Home Gym
- Decide on a space
- Find or buy furniture to help keep your space organized and functional
- Decide on equipment. For me I wanted weights, resistance bands, yoga mat, treadmill, and an exercise ball.
- Bring in motivation. Pictures, quotes, music, and even a TV can help you get through your workout!
Finding a space wasn’t hard. Our home has two master bedrooms, and for a long time my sister in law lived in one of them. When she moved out it became a dumping ground or rather an office/storage room/guest room. Eventually we will turn it into a room for our two boys to share when baby D is no longer in a crib, but for now it’s mostly just been an unused space.
Recently while trying to organize it I realized it would be the perfect space for a home gym. It gets a lot of natural light, and it’s on the other side of the house so the motor of a treadmill wouldn’t be too loud for anyone.
So I got to work organizing the kid’s toys that were taking up the space when I wanted to put the bookcase and treadmill. Once it was clean I started to put together the bookcase. I love how easy Sauder furniture is to put together. The price was perfect too! I certainly didn’t have a big budget for this process, and most of what I did have was going towards a new-to-me treadmill. At only $59.99 the cherry bookcase was in my budget, but I’d have to be creative on how I used it to make my home gym idea come to life!
It took me about 40 minutes to assemble this on my own. The directions were really easy to follow so that made the whole process easier. I really wanted the bookcase to function as more than just a bookcase. I needed it to help keep me motivated when the miles started adding up.
I put all my fitness equipment on it, added some books (that previously had no home), and some pictures. I even have a spot for my Surface tablet so I can watch movies or TV if I want to. I plan on buying some motivational quotes to frame and add. So suddenly my “bookcase” is a storage space, bookcase, and entertainment center!
I also added a rock jar to motivate me. For every mile I complete on my treadmill I get to add a rock, and when I get to a certain number I will reward myself!
I’m so happy with how my home gym turned out and it all came together quickly and easily!
Don’t you love finding ways to creatively use furniture to make your visions come to life? I love my new home gym. It’s a space that is mine and doesn’t require a babysitter to use!
I’m so grateful to have found Sauder. It’s affordable, easy to assemble, and looks great no matter how you incorporate it into your home! Check out my For the Home board on Pinterest for more create ideas!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sauder. The opinions and text are all mine.
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Wow looks great!! So glad you found a dedicated space!!
Thanks! Taking it for a test run today. Going to run 6 if that feels good I will keep going…
Great advice! I miss my home gym at times. In our new small house the only space for one is in the basement and the ceilings are too low for a treadmill!
Your home gym looks great! I took my sons bedroom, when he moved out, and turned it into my home gym. I have pretty much every fitness item one would find at a gym, minus the treadmill or elliptical, since I hate cardio! But, I have a ton of weights, balls, bars, mats, all in one machines and more.
What a great idea to put the tablet on the shelf. And I love the rock jar!