Make Having a "Health Space" at Home the Norm

Let's get into this. I believe more strongly each and every day that in 2026 it NEEDS to become the NORM for EVERY HOME to have a "health space" available and accessible IN EVERY HOME.

We've normalized having a home office / study space for example. Not saying that's not important, but when it comes to our health we create spaces that allow us to be entertained and "numb ourselves" after a long day at work, school and responsibilities, but NOT a space conducive to our health and wellness that is RIGHT THERE for us to use.

A Gym Membership is Good in Theory for Many People

It's always with good intentions and visions that we sign up for a gym membership, but we completely omit everything ELSE that goes WITH this intention:

• What do you wear to the gym?

• What bag do you use for those clothes?

• Do you have them ready to go / when do you get those things ready?

• When are you going to GO to the gym? Weekdays and/or weekends

• What time of day works for you to get to and from the gym?

• How much time does it take out of your day (TOTAL) to go to the gym each time? (travel + exercise time + social time if need be all need to be considered)

• What will you DO AT the gym?

• What are your goals? Why did you get the gym membership in the first place?

• Is this gym comfortable for you? Do you like the atmosphere? People? Equipment available etc?

I'm sure there's PLENTY more to consider, that typically ISN'T thought about until AFTER you've gone for a week or two and realize "Oh crap! This isn't going as smoothly as I'd hoped" or "this is an added stressor in my days to even GET there!". On top of that, big box gyms may have you commit to a year or 'x' number of months, leaving you paying for a membership you rarely or don't use! In today's economic environment, that's pretty tough to deal with right? Some folks even FORGET about it after a while and membership fees are still coming off their credit card for months or even years before they catch it! Yikes!

Benefits of a Space in the Comfort of Your own Home

Most of the considerations that people NEED to make when purchasing a gym membership are no longer needed when you have a space for yourself right at home.

• SUPER EASY ACCESS 24/7

• ZERO membership fees

• The environment and equipment will be as clean as you make it/want it with no worries of laying in other people's sweat or grabbing a dumbing after the last person just wiped their nose with their hand (gross!)

• Any and all investments you decide to make (over time) in regards to accessories, equipment etc are YOURS and lasting. No hidden fees.

• Your SPACE is it's own reminder system! Having a space at home that you walk by day in and day out, offers MORE chance you're going to use it than a gym that's out of sight and out of mind even just a couple blocks away from home, let alone a drive.

• It offers a space to work on YOU that is readily available

• It creates the opportunity of having a "sanctuary" or "safe space" to self-experiment, understand and listen to your physiology better AND feel great with less distraction from others

• It opens the opportunity to BALANCE HOW you care for your health in a variety of ways. You don't need to "fit it all in" at the gym since you don't have to drive 10, 15 or 20min away to "care for your health". You can do little bits sprinkled in your day because your space LIVES where YOU LIVE!

What if a room isn't available at home to make this space?

It doesn't NEED to be a room! We are currently VERY excited as we prepare to move into our new rental home where we WILL have a space with a door for our health space! BUT sometimes you work with what you have. Currently where we live, in the basement we have a space where we can lay out a mat for yoga, meditation, mobility work etc that we keep clear the majority of the time. It's easily accessible, which is the key ingredient. Your health space may not be "ideal" but the act and desire of CREATING a particular space at home, lends itself to creating the HABIT and PRACTICE of caring for your health more often.

We often find or make room for an office space today don't we? Think about that; we make space for MORE work at HOME, but we often don't make space for our HEALTH at home?? We're odd creatures without a doubt. In fact, why not CONSIDER the office if you don't have an alternative space?! Here's my argument - You're most likely IN THERE often. You don't need giant weight machines or a spin bike.

• Put a yoga mat and a kettlebell in the corner so that when you sit at your desk it's in your line of sight EVERY time!

• Put a chinup bar on the wall (I'm not a fan of the door frame ones, but to each their own) so you can hang from the bar every time you walk in.

• Have a yoga strap and a resistance band on the corner of your desk to remind you each time you sit down to do a few exercises / stretches before you leave the room

There's all kinds of little things that can make the space a space for your HEALTH too!

Think outside the box

One of my favourite Strength Coaches, Dan John has him home gym in his garage and often eludes to how it's not "ideal" but it's functional and keeps him consistent. He can open the door in the summer months, he still puts his car in there in the winter and moves it out when he needs. Yes, it can get cold. Yes it can get a bit messy with the car in and out in the winter. But you make it work to CARE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR HEALTH.

Lawyer, turned ultra-endurance athlete, turned health podcaster and author, Rich Roll gives us a glimpse at his home gym he built from a shipping container (GENIUS!).

You can search "Creative Home Gym setups" on YouTube, Pinterest etc for ALL KINDS of incredibly smart ways to create a space that works for you! This short video shows a VERY small space creatively designed and available for the owner.

Build what you NEED now - Not what you WILL need

Your health space at home can look and have WHATEVER YOU want/need right NOW! Since it's yours, it truly does NOT need to be created all at once. With clients I work with who exercise at home, I make suggestions of equipment they can add;

1) When they ask

2) When they need / are ready to use it

3) In a way that suits their desired investment abilities financially AND space wise

Ultimately, your health space may be a nice bright room with lots of natural light, plants for greenery and some yoga type accessories yet you use it for bodyweight work, mobility etc. It can BE and BECOME whatever you want it to be! The key is - IT'S THERE FOR YOU ALL THE TIME!!

When you have a dedicated space at home for YOUR health, it's WAY EASIER to say 'YES' to a couple exercises, a 10min meditation or a full blown routine than it is when you have to leave the house after a long day at work, in the depths of winter or during a rain storm. This is ESPECIALL THE CASE when the room / space is kept tidy and READY at all times. If the room is EASILY visible (for example you can see it from where you sit often to watch TV OR you have to walk by it to get to the bedroom or bathroom) it's a built in reminder system to care for your health today, with LESS energy and thought than if that space is a drive away!