Setting up a home gym in later life (and how to insure it)

Do you dislike crowded gyms? Do you want a convenient way to squeeze exercise into your schedule? Or maybe you have specific mobility needs that require a tailored workout space? A home gym might be the perfect solution

In this article, we’ve gathered tips on longevity-extending exercises, designing and equipping your dream home gym, and what you might need to insure to protect your new investment, including:

• Tips from a personal trainer: learn about the most effective exercise routines designed specifically for home workouts.
• Home gym set-up ideas: a seasoned home gym enthusiast shares their tried-and-true tips for creating a functional and inspiring workout space.
• Insurance considerations: protect your investment with advice from a home insurance underwriter on safeguarding your gym equipment.

The secret to a longer life? Your thighs

Strong legs and thighs could add up to nine years or more to your life, according to Steven Kotler, a New York Times-bestselling author and expert on human performance [1]. Greater muscle strength in your legs leads to improved mobility, which often leads to more social interaction, reduces the risk of falls and promotes brain health. That is because your thigh bones – the largest in your body – are rich in bone minerals that can nourish your brain. 

What more incentive do you need to get those thighs in shape? Plus, a home gym can encourage the whole family to get active together. 

But there are a few things to bear in mind. 

Is designing a home gym expensive? 

Equipping your home gym doesn’t have to be expensive. Personal trainer Eliza Flynn [2] recommends versatile equipment, which can retail from £10:

• Resistance bands
• Dumbbells (price depending on quality and size)
• Exercise or yoga mats

Resistance bands offer a versatile workout option, whether you want to focus on core strength, stretching, muscle building or cardio Pilates.

Flynn says, “Resistance bands are not expensive, so you can invest in several with different resistance levels.”

Dumbbells are also versatile, and mats provide a cushioned surface for various exercises.

How much space do you need for a home gym? 

An unused room, garage or even a garden cabin can be transformed into a workout area. If space is limited, a small area where you can roll out a mat and store some dumbbells might also suffice.

For those with more room, consider adding more equipment and inviting friends for joint workouts. This can be a nice way of bringing a social element to your workouts.

Personalise your home gym

Retiree fitness enthusiast Fiona Marshall (65), from South East London, advises, “Really think about what you’ll actually use. We’ve had home gym equipment for years, and we have free weights, dumbbells, a weight bench, resistance bands, ab wheel, yoga mats, a pull-up bar, squat stands and a skipping rope.”

Marshall says that although her gym equipment takes up quite a bit of space, prioritising her health is worth it. She uses her gym equipment two or three times a week and says, “I used to go to the gym, but stopped when membership [fees] went up.”

Other considerations for setting up a home gym

• Noise levels: consider soundproofing your gym area to avoid disturbing others.
• Sufficient ventilation: will the space get stuffy during a workout or summer?
• Utilise the garden: sheltered outdoor areas can be a great option, if you can keep your equipment locked away and protected from the elements.
• Protect your floors: ensure the flooring can handle heavy equipment like free weights.

On this last point, Marshall says she keeps her weights on a tiled, solid floor, but uses special mats for protection.

Do I need to insure my home gym equipment? 

When positioning your equipment, it’s important to make sure you have plenty of room to avoid any accidental damage. However, having the right home insurance can also offer additional protection.

Age Co offers Home Insurance, provided by LV=. Chris Baxter, an LV= insurance underwriter, says: “If you’re buying expensive equipment, make sure you update your contents sum insured where needed.” 

Baxter adds, “If you’re keeping equipment in a garage, remember there is a £1,000 limit for theft from garages and outbuildings on our Silver cover.” This is different for granny annexe buildings due to the difference in secure access.

Four of the best exercises to boost longevity 

Flynn believes exercise gets more important as you age: “It’s common to think that you’ve got to take it easy when you get old,” she says, “but in reality, a sedentary lifestyle is often to blame for injuries and a decline in mobility.”

Flynn suggests focusing on four types of exercise: 

Strength

“If you have strong leg and hip muscles, you’re less likely to fall,” says Flynn. Building strength is crucial for daily tasks and injury prevention.

Endurance/aerobic

“Aerobic exercise gets your blood pumping and is required for a healthy heart and lungs,” says Flynn. It can prevent or delay diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Balance

“You can improve your balance just by improving your lower body and core strength,” says Flynn. This reduces the risk of falls.

Flexibility 

“Stretching might not feel like ‘exercise’, but it’s an important part of being able to move more freely,” says Flynn.

Flynn also suggests prioritising exercises that mimic everyday movements:

• Squats
• Hip hinge movements (i.e. where you bend forward while maintaining a neutral spine position) or glute bridges
• Pull movements using dumbbells or resistance bands (such as rows)
• Push movements, such as bench presses with dumbbells
• Rotation movements (boxing or adding rotation to lunges)

Setting up a home gym tailored to your needs is a smart investment in your health and wellbeing. When designing your space, try to focus on versatile equipment that can adapt to your fitness goals, which could change over time.

[1] What makes you live longer? The surprising exercise to longevity.

[2] Eliza Flynn Personal Trainer