Home Gym

For the last two years, our "formal living room" has been an empty room. Over the years, Tal and I have considered turning it into a 5th bedroom or a playroom for Savannah:

Two weeks ago, we converted our 

"formal living room" into a home gym:

Tal put together the elliptical and weight machine 

(with some help from Savannah):

Tal and I canceled our Y membership, which we haven't used much since last summer. Over the last few years, Tal and I have really struggled with how to exercise AND maximize our time with Savannah. I've always felt guilty about leaving Savannah in daycare for an extra hour each day while I exercised.  Tal gets home late from work and has 2-3 hours with Savannah before she goes to bed. He felt torn between spending his precious time with Savannah and going to the gym. 

With our home gym, Tal and I can work out AND spend time with Savannah. Now that Savannah is semi-independent, she is perfectly happy to sit in her chair in the gym, eat a snack, and watch Barney on the iPad while Tal and I exercise. Plus,  there's no driving time to and from the gym, no waiting for machines, and no feelings of self-consciousness. It's a win-win situation.

Since our gym is one of the first rooms that guests see when they enter our home, it should make a good first impression. Tal and I intend to keep our gym simple and uncluttered but decorate it with coordinating paint, curtains, and artwork, so that it flows with the rest of our home.

Here's what Tal and I plan to do in the coming months to make our gym more functional and attractive:  

• paint the room a brighter color
• install TV above elliptical
• remove the hanging light
• install a ceiling fan to circulate air and keep the room cool
• add a floor lamp that provides more lighting
• create a spot for Savannah (with a bean bag and/or table and chairs) to play while Mommy and Daddy exercise
• add artwork or mirrors
• hang curtains?   

Tal and I are excited about the possibilities!