Exercise Spaces Provide Project Expansion Opportunities

The U.S saw a 30 percent increase in the number of people exercising at home between 2000 and 2006, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association (SGMA).

National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) member James Bartelme, also president of Bartelme Builders Inc. of Oconomowoc , Wis., says his experiences conform with those statistics. He adds that his fitness room customers tend to be active adults as opposed to young families.

Brookfield, Wis.-based Renovators Ltd. VP and GM Tony Rink says his clients "want multipurpose rooms" that could serve as both a media center and a workout room.

Bartelme and Rink both say converting interior space into an exercise room is relatively easy.

Here are five things to weigh during each new exercise room project.

Style. The style of the room should match the style of the homeowners.

Video. Display panels should be fixed to a mount that swivels (or mounted on an arm that extends in front of a treadmill during a workout, but tucks away against a wall when not in use). A DVD or DVR can also be added.

Audio. Clients will obviously need strong sound systems for motivating music.

Lighting. Recessed can lights with dimmer switches are good. Shade controls may be suitable for workout rooms with excessive sunlight.

Durability. Equipment could get whipped with a jump rope or sprayed with sweat.