From Shed to Sanctuary
Written by: Katarina Škipić
Minimalist home gym lounge
The Evolution of the Home Gym
A lot, actually. In the quiet sanctum of their homes, many have carved out corners and basements dedicated to an activity once confined to communal spaces. Festooned with more than stark mirrors and metal, the home gyms of today extend beyond utilitarian fitness courts in the same way that fitness has become more than just a tool to chisel your body.
Today, the home gym is a new face of the old idea: a burgeoning sanctuary where the clinks of dumbbells accompany self-reflection, and the rush of an early morning spin class breathes life into the day ahead. But the shift from public gyms to private fitness spaces did not happen overnight. Its strong roots in market development and technological advancements are only the surface. Below, it’s a complex tale of societal change.
The history of home fitness stretches from exclusive practices for the affluent to a widespread, accessible phenomenon shaped by shifts in trends, technological innovation, and notable fitness personalities (did someone say “Arnold?”).
Serene gym meditation space
Mens Sana In Corpore Sano
The maxim “a healthy mind in a healthy body” summarizes the age-old common knowledge of how physical fitness contributes to mental and emotional well-being. This concept is older than you might think: its roots can be traced back to ancient Rome, from which the famous Latin phrase is derived. The famous words have been credited to Roman poet Juvenal, dating back to the first century AD.
In his satirical poem, Juvenal promoted the ideal of balance between physical health and mental acuity as a cornerstone for a fulfilling life. How could that even be satirical? It could be because the phrase was part of a larger moral commentary. Juvenal (“bread and circuses,” anyone?) was the last great Roman satirist whose sharp reed pen harshly critiqued the decadent Roman elite’s obsession with superficial pursuits and advocated for more substantial, virtuous goals.
However, the concept itself predates the Roman age—ancient Greek philosophers also thought that the mind and body were interconnected and that the health of one influenced the other. This perspective was at the root of their educational system, which combined physical training and athletic competition with music, debate, and philosophy into a holistic approach to development.
Over the centuries, this ancient wisdom has been revisited and reinforced in various cultural and medical discourses. Today, the idea is supported by a growing body of scientific research that links regular physical activity to improved mental health, reduced anxiety, and enhanced cognitive function.
Which brings us back to contemporary home fitness.
Calming gym rest corner
The Greatest Wealth Is Health
One doesn’t have to look to history to find home gyms as a symbol of privilege and fortune. Not long ago, a home gym was perceived as a luxury, accessible only to those whose expansive living quarters could accommodate a dedicated space for pricey equipment. These early adopters equipped their rooms with rudimentary versions of public gymnasiums—weights, benches, and an obligatory stationary bicycle. Often reflecting status above the user’s commitment to fitness, those private confines were still far from the elaborate interior design concepts we know today.
Television played a role, ushering awareness around health and wellness throughout the second half of the twentieth century. Jack LaLanne, the “godfather of fitness,” started the new era with his TV programs, encouraging viewers to utilize household items for exercise.
The following decades saw the rise of jogging and aerobics as the most popular physical activities. During this time, the concept of physical fitness moved beyond the elite, with more people recognizing its importance for long-term health. Despite this growing interest, home gyms remained relatively uncommon among the general population, mainly because the hottest trends still only required a TV, a Jane Fonda videotape, and a small, free spot in the living room.
Wellness setup with bench
Twenty-First Century: The Real Democratization of the Home Gym
Technology’s role in home fitness has grown in recent decades, mainly due to the miniaturization of electronics. The 1990s saw the introduction of multi-gyms—compact units that allowed for various exercises on a single piece of equipment. Soon, the market was flooded with other compact and more affordable exercise machines, like treadmills intended for home use. Companies recognized the value in catering to a broader audience around the same time as production costs decreased with manufacturing and global trade improvements.
During this time, middle-class homeowners began to dedicate entire rooms to fitness, effectively creating the first widely recognized home gyms. Foldable stationary bikes, adjustable dumbbells, and, later, interactive designs that required minimal space made complex workouts feasible even in small urban apartments.
In the twenty-first century, home gyms have become a common feature in houses, especially in the United States. The convenience and privacy of exercising at home have become increasingly valued. The home fitness trend has thrived thanks to advancements in smart technology and the expansion of the personal fitness industry.
The pandemic progressed this shift dramatically. With the sudden closure of public spaces, including gyms, many who had never considered home fitness found themselves purchasing equipment and subscribing to online fitness programs. This surge was not limited to any particular demographic but spanned various income levels. The market responded accordingly, with a flood of innovations aimed at making home fitness more enjoyable, effective, and interconnected than ever.
In modern homes, most gyms blend subtly into their environment. They are sleek and efficient—you can often find collapsible benches and built-in units maximizing the space to make the room suitable for different activities. But the real standout feature is technology. Touch screens and apps control everything from lighting and temperature to multimedia, all integrated discreetly to keep the room looking clean. Virtual reality gadgets change simulations from cycling through the Alps to doing yoga by the sea with one click, slowly killing one of the most common excuses for skipping the gym workout: “It’s always the same; it’s so boring!”
Folded towels in gym
Folded towels in gym
beautiful home Gym
Curiosity often blooms in the gardens of our own habits, so wondering how professional interior designers cultivate their well-being is not unusual. Do they also take a divergent path from what seems commonly expected, crafting something modest or uniquely personal?
One answer can be found in the aesthetical home yoga studio that HGTV’s Leanne Ford created for herself. It’s an unexpectedly chic backyard shack that feels integral to the home yet is secluded enough to offer full privacy.
A space on Ford’s property speaks to serenity and the sustainable philosophy of “recycle, reuse, repurpose.” An old tool shed, once a forgotten nook brimming with the remnants of utility, has been reimagined as a sanctuary in every nuance of that word. Using a few resources, white paint, and her signature style, Ford has transformed the mundane into a blend of rustic and ethereal.
“I went ahead and made myself a Yoga Studio in our old tool shed because why not?!” This whimsical beginning belies Ford’s choice, which resembles a more powerful statement about overlooked beauty existing in the bones of humble utilitarianism.
Spotlighting a minimalist concept, Ford articulates, “When a space is THIS beautiful—to me, at least!—you don’t need much in it!” This leaves no room for questioning: the history of art and design teaches us how most profound aesthetic statements are often made through subtraction rather than addition. Take the Japanese approach to interiors as an example, or the Scandinavian or the Bauhaus.
The expanse of white—a Ford hallmark—creates a crisp background suited for a practice that transcends mere physicality. Again, the choice is deliberate. In Ford’s words, the intention was to “keep it simple and cover the floors, ceilings, and walls in LOTS of white paint and then carry some yoga gear over.”
Humor surfaces in her confession of what constitutes her current workout routine, or as she puts it, “Interior Design CrossFit—To be honest, it consists of deciding if the sofa should be on the other side of the room and then thinking, ‘No wait—maybe not!’ Or needing to take the marble table WITH me from the store just in case I want to put it in the house NOW. Even trying to move the concrete planter UPSTAIRS. But the zen I feel sitting in this pretty old space is real. I need more of this in my life. So, more yoga is coming UP for me!”
Gym entrance with Cycle
Twenty-First Century: The Real Democratization of the Home Gym
TrooRa Magazine
Words
Katarina Škipić
Athens, Greece
