The importance of "space" for an Integral Strength Practice

I was listening to an interesting discussion online about the essential reasons why we should create space for strength training at home and what are the three most important must have equipment for your own home gym to get an effective workout experience.  (BTW the three are squat rack, dumbell, and barbell - but if you want to listen to the call let me know and ill post the link).

The promo for the discussion:

• Why everyone needs a home gym - ASAP
• How to quickly develop an exercise program that will give you double the results in half the time
• His 10 Commandments of Fitness
• How to switch up your routines at home as effectively as if you have the variety of equipment that you have at the gym
• 3 pieces of equipment that every home gym needs and how to get your hands on them for dirt cheap, saving you thousands
• How to find the motivation and time to workout at home, especially if one is faced with household chores, attending to young family members and other distractions.

Re: The importance of "space" for an Integral Strength Practice

Hey Buddy,

Ok, I’ve totally got a big smile on my face. I think anyone who’s made it into a commercial gym can relate. I think you’ve got some of the major trends nailed to a T…

Personally, I always train at a gym - now my gym right now is pretty good; however, I’ve had my fair share of gyms that were the farthest thing from supportive to what I was cultivating on the interior side of things.

Here’s my take on these environments. I view gyms as the perfect environment to establish a strong consistent practice amidst the least supportive environment. The conventional gym is the perfect place to develop your ability to manage and maintain a steady course of action (interior and exterior) irregardless of what’s going on around you. It’s a great training exercise in self-authorship.

That said, I give a deep bow to practice whereever it arrises.

As for the home front, there’s yet another layer of distractions, habits and obstacles to be worked with; however, you do have much more control on the external dimensions.

As for the home front, it’s important to set the space. Commit the space so to speak. Make an intentional choice about where you’re going to train. Create boundaries around your space, a separate room is ideal, but not necessary. I’d suggest some sort of ritual for entering into your training space and a set of rules both for you and the house hold to honor and respect.

Good luck on the home front, I know its HUGELY helpful for many just for the convenience element. Keep us posted on how you’re setting this up as I’m sure others will greatly appreciate your insight and wisdom.

~R

Re: The importance of "space" for an Integral Strength Practice

Its been two months but im there.  Its been my intention for some time to set up my own space for an Integral Strength practice, free from the distraction of a commercial gym environment.

Ill share some of my experience of setting this up later this week and set up some links on this posting that I used as a resource in helping me set up this space.

Quick background - I have converted my garage into a space that i can practice strength training, yoga, and cardio.  The space is 3m x 5m and in this I have a squat rack with an Olympic bar plus 220kg weights and a hi lo pulley system rated to 200kg, adjustable spin lock dumbell set that takes each up to 55kg, olympic rings, yoga horse, spin bike, medicine balls, setubandhasana bench, smaller weights and dumbells, 2 x sandbags, various yoga props, a white board, skipping rope, and a sledgehammer (see posting on shovel glove to explain why the sledge).  And have enough space to practice inlcuding experimentation with olympic lifts.

Photo's as of today (if the link fails go to my profile and click on the photo tab)

http://balaprana.zaadz.com/photos/view/203278

Ive spent about 3 years worth of gym membership getting to this set up.  But in all im excited about the potential for this space - I just need to fulfil this potential now.

Strength and Spirit

Damon