Let’s Get Physical
by habituallychic
01 . 16 . 11
If you’re anything like me, then your New Year’s resolution to workout more has probably fallen by the wayside. I actually don’t mind working out. I just hate the gym. They all smell like rubber mats and sweat and are usually ugly. I remember seeing the gymnasium at Biltmore House above when I was young and thinking it looked beautiful. I love all the wooden exercise equipment and weights. In our age of sustainability and eco-friendliness, why are we not making more workout equipment out of wood?
Vogue editor Tonne Goodman works out on a wood rowing machine. This is the epitome of chic to me. I found it online at WaterRower. You can thank me later.
Interior designer Christopher Coleman designed this stylish home gym. Of course, if I had couches in my gym, I would probably do more lounging than exercising but that’s just me.
I don’t have a credit for this home gym but I like the wood mixed with the dark walls. Most gyms have unflattering bright overhead lights. If they can turn the lights down for yoga, why can’t you workout in low lights. I think a lot of people would appreciate not seeing how out of shape they are at the gym!
UPDATE: One of my kind readers pointed out that this gym was designed by Bonetti Kozerski Design for Andre Balazs. No wonder I liked it so much!
Steven Gambrel designed this bright home gym.
Don’t even get me started on workout clothes. Not sure you should pump iron in couture and high heels but it’s a lot chicer than most of what’s available. I especially hate that sneakers for women are usually pink, purple or teal.
The Rolls Royce of workout equipment is the Kinesis Vision by Technogym. For as much as they cost, it better come with that hot guy to teach you how to use it!
If you’ve ever taken a walk in Central Park and almost been run over by a serious cyclist, they you know how many people are into this sport. If you want to bike in the comfort and warmth of your own home, then the Tacx Fortius Cycling Trainer is for you. Personally, I don’t think anyone should wear an outfit that tight in public anyway.
You could also take a run in heels but that’s probably not advisable unless you are trying to catch a cab.
If meditation and yoga are more your speed, you could create a yoga room like Jennifer Post. She designed this room to also double as a spa space for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House this year.
Gwyneth Paltrow created an entire workout studio in her pool house. She works out with Tracy Anderson who also works out with Madonna and other celebrities. Her DVD’s are currently collecting dust on my shelf so maybe I should try them again. The Tracy Anderson Method is clearly working for Gwyneth.
Diane von Furstenberg is 64 years old and yoga is the key to keeping her looking and feeling young. She practices on the roof of her building.
She also takes business calls hanging upside down. I’m sure I’d fall on my head so I think I’ll pass on this one.
Interior designer Elsie de Wolfe was famous for her morning exercises. She wrote in her 1935 autobiography that her daily regimen at age seventy included yoga, standing on her head, and walking on her hands. If she could work out at 70, I think the least the rest of us can do is take a walk! Note to self, buy a workout turban.
I wouldn’t mind taking a page out of Donna Karen’s book so I could work out with this hunky yoga teacher. Nuff said.
Remember that it takes three weeks to get used to a new routine. If you fall off the wagon, just pick yourself up and try again. Even small changes will make a difference and will make you feel better physically and mentally.
“It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
22 Comments
Great post! Those are some beautiful gyms indeed!
This is probably just me trying to make myself feel better, but if I had a place like that to work out I really think I’d do it! 🙂 These are awesome… Gwenyth’s is probably my favorite.
Hello my sweet Heather!
Are you enjoying your weekend?
Gee.. the last picture! 🙂 Anyways, I was thinking about this last wek.. I never see a really beautiful home gym! This showed me that IS possible!!!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
I liked that WaterRower too. I recently got a free cycling machine from someone who was moving and haven’t used it for more than 5 minutes. Thankfully I didn’t buy it. Would I use that rowing machine? I think I would but maybe I’ll try walking outside first. Thanks for a great blog post and the push I needed to start moving!
I go every morning Monday to Friday but the secret is a treat of Starbucks mocha and muffin beforehand!
How nice that you post this halfway through the month, instead of at the start of the year. It’s good timing and a good reminder.
I’ve started a blog, and I’m sure I’ll give you a shoutout one of these days, as I quite enjoy yours and have been subscribed through Google reader for a long time.
gallimaufryandminutiae.blogspot.com
The boyfriend is a former competitive rower and he’s been eyeing the water rower as well. I gave him my overwhelming approval as it’s not something I’d want to hide away in a basement or garage. It’s a work of art!
**I must disclaim I’m writing this post-pilates class. I find scheduling classes with a strict cancelation policy as my way of keeping on track!
MT
I love this post! I am a pilates teacher who went out of my way to find hand made pilates machines (reformer, cadillac and chair) made from wood. I hate the cold clinical look of most gyms. My dream studio has persian carpets and floor lamps. Nothing worse than lying on your back looking up at flourescent lights! I love the pic of Tonne Goodman – that mirror and the bookshelves!
I am inspired – thank you.
Carol Robbins
I will totally buy your Tracy Anderson DVDs!! Can’t find used ones anywhere reliable and the new ones are so spendy–
emailAThappyfeetdanceDOTnet
jaclyn
Hi Heather!
How funny- I posted about my newest form of “Working Out”(and my pathetic results) on Friday! I so wish I’d had your gorgeous image of the Biltmore gym for my post 🙂 I love everything about it.
Also love the dark uncredited gym with the flattering lighting- such a good idea.
As for the WaterRower- that is fabulous looking (for exercise equipment that is) I’m going online right now!
Thanks!
xx
SP
Oh man- I really do wish that working out could be this glamorous.
One thing that I really hat about the gym, other than the smells which you noted, is all the mirrors. I always end up accidentally meeting eyes w/ someone through the mirror -which is weird & awkward!
I love Paltrow’s workout room. It is so bright and energizing which is exactly what I need when I workout!
Your uncredited one is bonetti kozerkski studio. Bonus fun: it’s also andre balazs’ home.
Wow… doesn’t Diane von Furstenberg look amazing?!
I am all for the gyms that have style and character beyond the stereo typical… thanks for all the wonderful photo selections…
my desire is to have a treadmill that folds down out of the wall like a Murphy bed…
Paltrow’s gym is utterly beautiful!
Cupcake
http://www.thefamily-table.blogspot.com
OK, I know that I need to; my body is begging to; but do I have to? Can you guarantee that the guy on the bike will keep me company? No.? I guess my companion will have to be Jones–I think that he would like the wood rowing machine. Have a wonderful week. Mary
Obviously my workout regime is missing the element of chic, which is why it’s nonexistent.
This was such a great post on a variety of home gyms. I LOVE it. It is inspiring with so many looks. Makes me want to work out!
I love the gyms, but your commentary is even better.
Sydney
What a great selection of images. Love the gymnasium at Biltmore House and how the rowing machine blends into Tonne Goodman’s room.
I am even more impressed by Elsie de Wolfe now.
Cheers,
Claudia
love the tonne goodman pic!
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