First it was the home office, then it was the spa-throom. Now there’s a new status symbol that the world’s savviest homeowners are setting their sights on, with the souped-up home gym taking pride of place in the most stylish of abodes. “Without a doubt, health and personal wellbeing — both physical and mental — are at the top of the list for our clients, and we are increasingly incorporating home gyms into their residences,” Karen Howes, founder of luxury interior design studio Taylor Howes, tells MOJEH. And having had a hand in some of the most stylish homes in the GCC, it’s safe to say she knows what she’s talking about.
As to be expected, there’s a plethora of benefits to incorporating a luxury gym at home. “The most obvious is that it eliminates the need to travel, saving a considerable amount of time in our increasingly hectic lives,” explains Murude Katipoglu of the London-based Murudé Studio. “It also provides the flexibility to work out any time of the day and always ensures privacy for those who prioritise it.” Then there’s the fact that home gyms are unique to each homeowner, allowing a completely bespoke workout solution depending on your needs, be it a personal boxing ring or simply a place to practice Pilates in peace.
Best built within a basement, annexe or pool house, all of which tend to be spacious enough to accommodate various types of exercise equipment, gyms should be kept separate from the main living areas to help reduce noise and provide a dedicated workout space. “Stand-alone top floor spaces are also great for creating a smaller home gym, perfect for yoga or Pilates studios where little equipment may be required,” says Murude. “If you’re lucky enough to have plenty of room, however, the best place to have a gym is where you can be connected to nature. Looking out on to a garden, sea or pool is the dream — the bright and airy atmosphere it fosters can be invigorating and motivating for exercise, while nature creates a sense of calm.”
As luxury and technology combine, gone are the days of sterile, commercial-grade equipment, and in their place are personalised products by luxury brands — many of whom outfit luxury residences, superyachts and five-star hotels — elevating your space just as you would the rest of your home. Manufacturers like Technogym and Peloton are particularly popular and available around the world, making them ubiquitous and a safe bet for those just starting out. With several product lines to fit all needs and home aesthetics, the former’s most exciting recent launch is the Cross Personal, crafted with design-savvy individuals in mind by Italian designer Antonio Citterio. A cross trainer ideal for full-body workouts, its curved lines and polished reflection mirrors create a sleek look, while it’s also one of the quietest ellipticals out there and makes virtually no noise no matter how intense your workout is.
That said, right now there’s a sustainability movement taking the industry by storm, with the emergence of a new generation of equipment machines that forgo oil-based plastics and cheap metals destined for landfill or incineration for a more environmentally friendly approach. You can buy leather skipping ropes from brands including Paragon, for example, while cork yoga mats, blocks, rollers and massage balls all look great and are harvested from the bark by hand and without damaging or felling the rest of the tree.
German brand Nohrd is a leader when it comes to green fitness equipment. “We seek out wood from sustainable sources where the replanting rate exceeds the harvest rate, and our factory is heated using energy derived from production waste during the winter months, reducing external energy reliance,” founder Dominik Kuprecht tells MOJEH. “The timeless style and longevity of our products mean they are built to last too, reducing the need for frequent replacements.” Renowned interior designers are the first to recommend their products to clients — look to the HaptikBall, which is made from leather oiled with beeswax (to protect against moisture) and has a granular iron filling, while its bike is a favourite for its high-quality, sustainable design and small footprint. Nohrd even manages to make the cable machine look aesthetically pleasing, with its SlimBeam Cable Machine coming crafted from high-quality wood with a chic curved silhouette.
After something even more unique? Gym Marine offers completely bespoke products where branded gym equipment can be re-plated or wrapped in saddle-stitched Hermès leather, for example, to give a very high-end finish. “This also means that we are able to pick the best pieces of equipment from different brands and have them matched to our own selection of finishes for a truly personalised result,” says Karen of Taylor Howes studio. Katharine Pooley, one of the industry’s most sought-after designers who counts some of the wealthiest and most socially prominent people on the planet among her client list, agrees, adding that Pent, which offers complete gyms for homes, yachts and hotels, is another great shout for the likes of exercise benches, handcrafted dumbbells, gym ropes, push-up bars and fitness mats with gorgeous natural timber and leather finishes.
It’s not just aesthetics that have come a long way over the last couple of years — technology is also paving the way, with ‘smart’ gym equipment boasting amazing functionality and interaction that’s getting more innovative by the day. “Interactive fitness mirrors are brilliant,” says Katharine, referring to the likes of Tonal, which has been endorsed by LeBron James, Steph Curry and Serena Williams. The 24-inch interactive touch screen, which offers a wide range of classes such as strength training, cardio, HIIT, barre and breathwork, comes with built-in weights and cables that facilitate weightlifting.
With a steady movement to slower forms of exercise — a mindful approach to fitness at a more relaxed pace — it’s not just full-service gyms that are popping up in homes of HNWIs, but more calming wellness studios designed for yoga, Pilates and meditation too. “Reformer Pilates machines and Pilates Cadillac machines are more popular than ever,” says Katharine, and are perhaps one of the best investment purchases on our radar.
French fashion House Celine is the latest brand to tap into the hype, having released a super luxurious Reformer machine complete with leather panelling in the brand’s trademark Triomphe monogram, as well as weights, kettlebells, yoga mats and blocks. “For this type of space, it’s important to use a fresh, clean and neutral colour palette — you don’t want any strong colours or busy patterns to distract the eye,” advises Karen. “The idea is that the room should be serene, calm and inviting.” As such, opt for light and earthy tones with warm timbers, and where possible incorporate greenery to bring the outdoors in. Diffused and dimmable lighting is important, meaning no direct down lights or glaring up lights, with interior designers often incorporating coffers with indirect lighting to give a soft glow.
“One up-and-coming new addition to look out for is design collective Based Upon’s ‘Breath’ artwork, which regulates the client’s breathing and in turn slows their heart rate. We’re really looking forward to putting them into a wellness space,” she adds.
There’s no denying that a home gym is a true luxury, especially when well designed, but if you’re really serious about health and wellness, why stop there? “We’re also seeing more clients incorporate not only gyms, but complete wellness suites including hair salons, treatment and therapy rooms, glam rooms, Himalayan salt walls to help with breathing and meditation, ice baths and even cryotherapy chambers,” says Karen. “It’s a holistic approach to wellness at home, and something we’re very much looking forward to seeing more of in the future.”
6 Ways To Make A Home Gym That You'll Actually Use
There’s plenty to consider when creating a lavish home gym that you’ll want to hang out in, even when you’re not pumping iron.
Integrate Music
There’s no need for headphones when you’ve got your own private gym. Instead install ceiling speaker systems for high-fidelity sound that doesn’t compromise on aesthetics or floor space.
Views for days
There’s nothing less motivating when hitting the treadmill than staring at a blank white wall, so pick a space with lots of windows and panoramic vistas that allow for plenty of natural light.
Consider flooring
Opt for shock absorbing springs underneath a faux timber floor or natural cork flooring. Designed to absorb impact and reduce the amount of force transmitted back to the body during exercise, it helps fend off strain on joints and injuries while looking stylish all once.
Create outdoor access
If you’re someone who prefers exercising outside, then make sure you design a home gym where you can easily access the garden in more clement weather.
Make it kid-friendly
Maximise the time you have to exercise with playful additions like swings, trampolines and an arcade- style basketball hoop to keep the little ones entertained while you work out.
Don’t forget about storage
Often overlooked, create a dedicated space for the likes of foam rollers, resistance bands or boxing gloves to ensure a tidy space at all times.
Featured image courtesy of Murudé Studio
