Here’s how to create a home gym that you’ll actually want to work out in – without breaking the bank or dedicating half your living room to unnecessary fancy gym gadgets.

1) Set your fitness goals
What do your goals have to do with your home gym? Everything. Having a clear goal in mind will inform what kind of set up you need. Are you focusing on cardio, strength, endurance, flexibility or a mixture? Have a clear picture in your mind of what you will be aiming for before you begin – and it’ll help you achieve those goals, too! 

2) Select a space
Which space you decide to use for your workouts is a personal decision based on your specific circumstances. If you have a basement, a garage or a spare room – fantastic! For smaller-space dwellers, a spot in the living room or bedroom will work just as well. All you really need is a yoga mat-sized space. On warmer and dry days, don’t forget to utilize the outdoor space you have access to (and keep reading for a list of the best parks for workouts in your city!)

3) Modify your space
Make sure there is adequate lighting and airflow. You may also want to set up a full-length mirror to keep an eye on your form. If you live above other residents in an apartment, make sure the floor is sufficiently padded to avoid potential noise complaints from jumping or dropping weights. If your set-up up is in a basement, double check there is no mould to avoid health problems. 

4) Stock your gym

Buying gym equipment can range anywhere from a few dollars up to the thousands. Indoor cycling bikes and treadmills are hugely popular options for those with a bit more space (especially during COVID-19, items like Peloton bikes sold out!). For a more minimalist set-up, we recommend the following items:
a. A jump rope for warming up and cardio
b. A single kettle bell between 10-40 kg, depending on your strength and goals
c. A set of resistance bands
d. A door-mounted pull-up bar
e. A yoga mat for bodyweight movements and stretching

5) Put it to good use
You have your goals, you have your work out space, and now all you need is to get started. There are countless apps and online workout routines available (popular YouTube follow-alongs, for example, include Yoga With Adrienne and Tom Merrick). 

It’s best to exercise at the same time every day to follow a routine and, if you can, team up with a friend virtually to have an accountability buddy! 

West of downtown Edmonton, Crestwood is a calm, residential area with large lots and mature trees on land that’s in between two ravines with views from multiple directions over the North Saskatchewan River.

It’s a beautiful location, ideal for families who want to live relatively close to the centre of the city but with all kinds of bike paths, hiking trails and other river valley recreational opportunities. The real estate here starts in the mid-six figures and runs into the millions. Although the average number of people per household is less than three, it’s almost all single-family homes (nine out of 10 properties), with some apartments. There are many original, renovated homes (first built after WWII) as well as plenty of brand-new builds.

Crestwood runs east-west from the Edmonton River Valley to 149 Street and north-south from the MacKinnon Ravine to the MacKenzie Ravine. Stoney Plain Road takes you downtown and 149 St runs south to Whitemud Drive.

The self-employed among us have being writing off home office expenses for decades. Now, the Government of Canada is letting work-from-home employees do the same. If that’s you, why not claim as many home office expenses as possible on your personal income tax return! As our federal government points out, “deductions reduce the amount of income you pay tax on, so they reduce your overall income tax liability.” Who ever thought we’d be saying: “Thanks, CRA!”

You’ll find full information at Canada.ca, where it states: “All salaried employees and commission employees can claim: electricity, heat, water, utilities portion (electricity, heat, and water) of your condominium fees, home internet access fees, maintenance and minor repair costs and rent paid for a house or apartment where you live. Commission employees can also claim home insurance, property taxes, lease of a cell phone, computer, laptop, tablet, fax machine, etc. that reasonably relate to earning commission income.”

Hope that helps!