Fitness Tip: Add a Gym to Your Property in the Riviera Maya is a contribution by Chrissy Jones.
Although the cost of living in Mexico is 110% lower than it is in the USA, an interesting exception to the rule is gym memberships. At $61 in Mexico City, a monthly gym membership is 23% cheaper in Houston, 30% less in Denver and 49% lower in Las Vegas. If you are a fitness fanatic, this might be disheartening. However, with lower housing costs, you probably have extra space, whether inside or out, where you can set up a home gym and workout for free. This is a way to ensure that you stick to your fitness routine and build a home around your passions.
What Equipment Do You Really Need?
One of the most common mistakes when it comes to installing a home gym is buying expensive equipment that you never use. It can be tempting to go out and buy every machine you see in the public gyms. But this can quickly become unaffordable. You can start with one or two key pieces. Which area do you want to work on the most? Once you’ve decided, think about whether you need a machine to achieve your goals.
Generally speaking, cardio equipment isn’t necessary. A treadmill might seem like a staple of any gym, but you can warm up or go for a run outside. During the summer months in Playa del Carmen, it might be good to have a treadmill inside to avoid heat stroke. The rest of the year you will unlikely be too cold or hot when taking a run in the local park. Instead, invest your first funds in weights and punchbags. These are affordable and useful additions to a home gym and gives you a starting point upon which to build.
Designing for Focus
Once the equipment is sorted, you have the creative freedom to design a space dedicated to meeting your fitness goals. Believe it or not, public gyms are designed to put people off. With wide open spaces, large mirrors and mixing genders, many people feel uncomfortable at the gym. In fact, Planet Fitness has 6000 members for a 300-capacity gym. They decided this on the basis that around half of their customers will never go.
At home, you have the freedom to create a space which is inviting. You can fill the walls with motivational posters and charts showing your progress. Be sure to control the climate so that you don’t overheat. When living in Playa del Carmen or Tulum, you have quick access to a pool or beach within minutes, so it’s a great way to cool down after working out. Keep post-workout food and water in the gym, as well. In terms of interior décor, the color blue has been shown to both relax your muscles and focus the mind. That way, you can get into the correct zone during your workout.
The Options are Endless
Adding a home gym to your new Mexican property can be one of the best decisions you make. It will avoid the high cost of a gym membership and create an inviting environment for you to work out at. Just be selective about your equipment and design a gym that helps you stay focused and achieve your goals. It also adds value to your property for whenever you want to sell.
Now, if adding a gym to your home is not a task you want to tackle, you should invest in one of the many properties in the Riviera Maya that have a gym as an added bonus. Many developments offer this perk to residents, making it easier than ever to continue with your work out.
And remember, at Top Mexico Real Estate…we make it happen!