My Home Gym
“No matter how low you go, there’s always an unexplored basement.”
In every home there is a space where the door remains closed, where no one peaks their head on a tour, and where pictures are not taken. Dear reader, this is my place that very few know - my unfinished basement. Doubling as a laundry room, a storage area, and a home gym, it is not pretty, nor is it decorated, but it is real life. Several years ago, I cleared out a space in the back corner to store all of my mismatched dumbbells, kettlebells, balls, and bands. I tried to convince my husband that when he was too tired to go to the gym, the gym could come to him (it rarely worked).
When given the choice to exercise at either studios that I work at, the big box gym a few streets away, or down here in the basement, rarely would I choose the home gym. Nothing it has appealed to me: the patchy light, excessive cobwebs, lack of natural sun, and shabby decor. Until now.
A hot water heater, ping pong table, stored bicycles, and brick chimney make up the background.
For the last week and a half, as all gyms have closed, this has now become my beloved place. The discolored wood walls and mint green concrete are most likely original from the 1930s, and until I painted the floor a couple of years ago, they were smudged grey. I will never laud its beauty, never be inspired by its design, nor never be amazed by its serene ambience, but this home gym does what is needed at this time, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Every morning I put on old workout clothes, turn my earphones on, and do some sort of stretching, strength training, or cycling. This ugly little basement gym helps me push pause on my troubles and fears while it quiets my mind. My brother and I have always loved the Rocky IV training montage where Rocky trains at a rustic farm. It looks like now, I too, have my own place.
Sooner, rather than later, I hope we are all back together with our tribe in our gyms, but for now when I walk back up the stairs after my much needed workout to face the rest of the day, I am thankful for my home gym.
Random trophies placed to give the home gym a “vintage, sporty” look. Weights sit atop old Walmart footlockers used to move to the United Kingdom.
Parts Unknown
Where the spiders crawl and the rejects clutter;
That is where you will find me.
Chipped cement and dirty water stains;
The ugliest parts of me are revealed.
There is nothing left to hide.
Will you still love me when you know my struggles and secrets;
When you see the worst of me raw and bruised?
My dusty efflorescence mars the surface.
The basement of my soul is now exposed.
Will you stay?
-Julie Hamilton
A childhood Snoopy towel lays on the mat for “core work” next to the patchy green wall.
Bowflex adjustable dumbbells might be a little awkward, but they are amazing. I wash and dry laundry while riding my LifeFitness bike.