New Year Home Workout Space: Set Up a Spot You'll Actually Use
Make this year's workouts stick: pick one spot, cover the floor, leave the mat out, add only the gear you'll use, and keep the plan small.
Short answer: the New Year's workouts that last are the ones with a space ready to go. Pick one spot, cover the floor with a mat big enough for every move, and leave it down so starting takes zero setup. Then keep the plan small enough to do on your worst day.
Key takeaways
- A dedicated spot beats a mat you have to dig out of a closet.
- Cover the whole space: no stepping off the edge, no slipping, no cold floor.
- Leave it out. Many customers keep their mat down full-time.
- Start with a plan you can do in 20 minutes, three days a week.
1. Pick one spot
A corner of the living room, the spare bedroom, the basement, the garage. It doesn't need to be big, but it needs to be yours. Measure it, then subtract a little for furniture you won't move.
- Bedroom or office: 6' x 4'
- Living room: 7' x 5' or 8' x 4'
- Basement, garage, or spare room: 9' x 6' and up
See every size to scale in the Size Guide.
2. Cover the floor
Pick the mat for how you'll train:
- Shoes, cardio, HIIT, weights: the Exercise Mat, 1/4" high-density.
- Barefoot yoga, pilates, stretching: the Yoga Mat, 8mm and soft.
Both are non-slip on both sides, so they stay put on hardwood, tile, laminate, concrete, and carpet. Working out on carpet? Read Home Gym on Carpet.
“I LOVE this mat. Fits perfect in my basement so I can now do my yoga everyday.”
Verified buyer · 5 stars · Large Exercise Mat
3. Leave it out
Every bit of setup is a reason to skip. A mat that's already down, with your dumbbells or bands on it, turns "I should work out" into "I'm already here."
“Great product. I use it every day to exercise”
Verified buyer · 5 stars · Large Exercise Mat
4. Add only what you'll use
- A pair of adjustable dumbbells or a few kettlebells. Set them on the mat, not bare floor.
- Resistance bands. Cheap and they fit in a drawer.
- A jump rope. On a mat, never bare concrete. See Jump Rope on Concrete.
- A bike or treadmill if you'll ride or run. Put it on the mat. See Mats Under Treadmills and Bikes.
5. Keep the plan small
- Three days a week, 20 minutes. You can always do more; the point is never missing.
- Put it on the calendar like a meeting.
- Use an app or a video so you don't have to plan each session.
- Track the streak, not the weight on the scale.
“A+ and meets expectations. I use everyday.”
Verified buyer · 5 stars · Large Exercise Mat
Make this the year it sticks
Free shipping, 60-day returns, and a lifetime warranty on every mat.
Shop Exercise MatsSee the Size GuideRelated guides: The Best Mat for HIIT, Burpees and Jumping at Home · A 10-Minute Full-Body Stretching Routine (and Why a Big Mat Helps) · Mat Pilates at Home: How Much Space and Which Mat · A Mat for Peloton App, Apple Fitness+ and YouTube Workouts at Home
FAQ
What do I need for a home workout space?
A spot, a mat that covers it, and one or two pieces of equipment you'll actually use. That's enough to start.
How much space do I need?
About 6' x 4' for one person doing bodyweight and dumbbell workouts. 7' x 5' or larger gives room for lateral moves and wide poses.
Should I get an exercise mat or a yoga mat?
Exercise Mat for workouts in shoes, cardio, and weights. Yoga Mat for barefoot yoga, pilates, and stretching.
Can I leave the mat out all the time?
Yes. Many customers keep their mat down full-time. Keep it out of direct sun and heat.
More guides.
See all guides-
What Size Exercise Mat Do You Need? A Simple Sizing Guide
Pick a mat at least 1 foot longer than you are tall and as wide as your arms reach side to side. Here is how to size a mat for your room, your body, and your workout.
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How to Set Up a Home Gym on Carpet
Yes, you can work out on carpet. One large exercise mat gives you a flat, stable surface and protects the carpet. Here is how to set it up on low-pile and plush carpet.
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Home Gym Gift Guide: The Best Gift for Someone Who Works Out at Home
Which mat to give, which size to pick when you don't know their room, gift ideas by person, and when to order for Christmas delivery.
