Exercise some freedom with a home fitness gym

Got a spare room to renovate? Then why not create your own home fitness gym and stop forking out for expensive gym fees?

Are you looking for a great home renovation idea - one that will help you get fit and save you money on gym fees at the same time? Then it's time to think home fitness gym.

Once the domain of the household with everything, the home gymnasium, or fitness room, is now achieving the same mainstream popularity as the home cinema - especially among empty nesters who have a spare bedroom or two to play with.

Whether you're building a gym or fitness room from scratch, perhaps as part of an extension or renovation, or are simply converting an existing room, there are a few basics to consider first. Jude Tarran of Fitness Inside Out offers some helpful advice.

Choose your room wisely - "The most important things to remember are that you need good light and fresh air and that the room you use is one you want to be in," says . "Lots of people set up their home gym in a dark garage and then never use it because they just don't like the space."

Get a breath of fresh air - When it comes to ventilation, Jude emphasises the need for a lot. "Plenty of ventilation is really important, so depending on the room this may mean having a window you can open or a good air conditioner," he says.

Floors aren't just for feet - Flooring is another important consideration. Tiled floors are not practical, as they are hard and cold. The best option is carpet, and even floorboards work well.

Keep your chin up! - Once you have all this sorted, then Jude suggests decorating your home fitness gym with motivational items, such as exercise charts, information sheets relating to your equipment, or inspirational images and posters. "It doesn't really matter what, as long as it is something that inspires and motivates you," he says.

Get equipped - Of course, building a home gym is just the first step; no home fitness room is complete without gym equipment. The pieces you choose will really depend on what you can afford, but you may also need to consider how easily the equipment can be packed away, especially if the room is multipurpose, such as a study.

According to Jude, a Fitball is critical for all home fitness gyms, as it can be used for so many exercises. Next are Thera-Bands (long pieces of rubber used for strengthening), a yoga mat and free weights. If you want to incorporate cardio, then running machines, ellipticals (cross-trainers) and spin bikes are next. "When it comes to equipment, quality is reflected in price," says Jude, "so the more expensive ones do tend to be the better ones."

Personal training is the cherry on top - Jude's final piece of advice is that you invest in a qualified personal trainer. "To get the maximum value out of your home gym and equipment, get a trainer to come in a few times to show you how to use it properly and to write you a personal program," he says. "Just make sure that they are insured and are registered with Fitness Australia."

Get started with some personal training from Fitness Inside Out and set up your own home fitness gym with all the right gear: