"I made a recent purchase at your store on Concord PIke. Your staff was most helpful in my decison making to purchase a Landice Treadmill for in my home. They were very informative, courteous and did not pressure me into purchasing anything I was not sure I wanted. They answered all of my questions and did so with confident product knowledge and professionalism. Their conduct and expertise would definitely encourage me to be a returning customer in the future."

-Carrie S., 2/29/08
Wilmington, De store

How to create your home fitness space

How you plan and set up your workout area will play a big part in achieving your results. Here are some tips for creating a functional, motivating space in your home.

It has to work as part of your home and part of your life
Whether you plan to use an area in your basement, a spare room, or the “space above the garage,” before you make any other decisions—think ahead. When you are visualizing where you’ll put a new exercise bike, treadmill or home gym, put yourself in the picture as well. What can you do to make your space an inviting, practical and fitness-friendly place—a place you’ll want to be?

Begin with the tape-measure
Guesstimating your space is not a good idea. No two pieces of exercise equipment have the same footprint. If you’re considering a home gym, some models are 7 feet tall. You really do need to know the dimensions of the space you have available. You may have to rearrange other furniture, too, so what you need first is a floor plan.

Creating your floor plan
You don’t need an architect’s blueprint—a simple sketch will do, as long as you show the dimensions. Another fun way to plan is to use this online space planner (courtesy of Precor) and create a perfect, printable plan to bring with you to the store. Whether it’s a sketch or a print-out, your plan will help your fitness advisor guide you in your selection of your ideal equipment.

Design your space from the floor up
Carpet, hardwood or concrete floors are not suitable for your workout area. We recommend a rubber mat or rubber click-together flooring, available at any Leisure Fitness Equipment Store. Rubber absorbs impact, reduces noise and vibration, cleans quickly and easily, and won’t retain perspiration odor. And, importantly, it will protect your new machine from loose carpet fibers.

Consider the lighting and ventilation
A gloomy, stuffy exercise space is a certain motivation-killer. Consider how natural and artificial light will work. Also consider using a dehumidifier or humidifier to keep your exercise environment just so… or possibly an exhaust fan to keep the air fresh and circulating.

Make room for a TV
Nothing makes time go by faster than losing yourself in your favorite TV show while you work on your cardio. With a TV, you can also incorporate exercise videos into your workouts. You can even have the remote at your fingertips—just attach hook-and-loop tape to the back of the remote and to the machine. Bike pouches make handy holsters for water bottles, remotes and cell phones. (The latest trend is to mount a personal LCD screen, with DVD player, right on your cardio machine for one-on-one interactive entertainment!)

“Mirror, Mirror, on the wall…”
We also recommend installing mirrors on at least one wall. Mirrors not only reflect light and give the room a more open feel, they also have a practical purpose. Watching yourself when you’re stretching or working on your strength training helps you check and correct your “form” as you work out. (And, let’s be honest… a certain amount of vanity is not a bad thing. Watching your body work, and seeing results as they appear, is a very rewarding experience.)

Do a safety check
Tape down any loose electrical cords. Use a power strip if you'll be plugging in several items. If you have young children, make sure you have a place to stow dumbbells, medicine balls, and anything that little feet might trip on. For peace of mind, you might consider installing a baby monitor. Also consider what storage you’ll need for things such as towels, shoes, and workout gear.

Questions? Just ask. We’re here to help with expert advice
At Leisure Fitness, our job is to get you the fitness results you’re seeking. We’re here to act as your personal mentor through the entire process of bringing fitness into your home — before, during, and after you make any purchase decision. When you have your basic floor plan in hand, or even just the basic measurements, come on in to your local Leisure Fitness Equipment Store, and consult with one of our home fitness experts. (And don’t forget to bring your sneakers for test-driving different types and models of equipment.)