Setting up your home workout space!

Leslie Guerin • April 2, 2025

Building success with the right set up!

I’ve been teaching movement for over 25 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that your workout space can make or break your consistency. A dedicated home workout station doesn’t need to be fancy, but it should be functional, inviting, and adaptable. Whether you’re rolling out a mat in your living room or setting up a full studio space, the goal is to create an environment that supports your fitness journey.

Step 1: Choose Your Space

Your workout area doesn’t have to be large, but it should be intentional. Consider the type of workouts you enjoy—Pilates, barre, strength training, HIIT—and find a space that suits those movements.

  • Small Spaces: A corner of a living room or bedroom works well for mat-based workouts like Pilates or yoga.
  • Dedicated Spaces: If you have a spare room or basement area, consider making it your full-time home gym.
  • Multipurpose Spaces: If you share a space, choose an area where you can easily store equipment when not in use.

Natural light and good ventilation are ideal, but if they aren’t available, proper lighting and a fan can help create a more welcoming environment.

While traveling in Puerto Rico, I was able to secure a wall-mounted barre, but it is located in the open-plan living space of both the living room and kitchen. Each day before I teach, I have to move a chair, cover the harsh lighting of a sliding door, and set up the camera at an angle where I can be seen standing and lying down outstretched—this mainly means positioning it at a slight diagonal. If you're setting up a space for live online classes, consider your camera angle. A side view is best for instructors to see your form clearly.

Step 2: Gather Essential Equipment

Your equipment needs depend on your workout style, but here are some basics for different types of training:

Bodyweight & Mat-Based Workouts

  • Yoga or Pilates mat
  • Yoga blocks or small pillows for support
  • Resistance bands for added challenge
  • A towel for extra cushioning or modifications

Strength Training & Sculpt Workouts

  • Dumbbells (light, medium, and heavy, based on your fitness level)
  • Kettlebell (optional for dynamic movements)
  • Resistance bands with handles
  • A sturdy chair or bench for seated exercises

Cardio & High-Intensity Workouts

  • Jump rope for a simple cardio boost
  • Plyometric box or step platform (optional)
  • Space to move freely for jumping jacks, lunges, or burpees

Barre & Reformer-Style Workouts

  • A sturdy chair, countertop, or portable barre
  • A small Pilates ball for core and stability work
  • Light hand weights (1–3 lbs) for endurance training
  • Sliders or towels for smooth movement on hardwood floors

Step 3: Organize Your Equipment

Keeping your space clutter-free will make it more inviting and easier to use. Here are some simple storage solutions:

  • Wall Hooks & Racks: Perfect for hanging resistance bands, jump ropes, and yoga mats.
  • Storage Bins or Baskets: Great for small items like dumbbells, sliders, and towels.
  • A Small Shelf or Rolling Cart: Keeps equipment organized and easy to access.
  • Foldable or Compact Equipment: If space is limited, opt for collapsible yoga mats, stackable dumbbells, and resistance bands over bulkier machines.

Step 4: Set the Mood

Your environment plays a huge role in motivation. Consider these elements:

  • Lighting: Soft, natural lighting is ideal, but if that’s not an option, invest in warm LED bulbs or adjustable lighting.
  • Music or Sound: Create a playlist that energizes or calms you, depending on your workout.
  • Mirrors: A full-length mirror can help with alignment and form.
  • Aromatherapy: A diffuser with essential oils like peppermint or lavender can enhance focus and relaxation.
  • A Dedicated Water Bottle & Towel: Keep hydration and sweat management within reach.

Step 5: Establish a Routine

A well-set-up space is only effective if you use it consistently. Set a schedule that works for you, and create habits to make working out feel second nature.

  • Set a Specific Time: Choose morning, lunch break, or evening—whatever aligns best with your lifestyle.
  • Keep It Visible: If possible, leave your workout space set up or have a visual reminder (like your mat rolled out or a sticky note) to cue your workout.
  • Use a Tracking System: Whether it’s a calendar, fitness app, or journal, tracking your workouts can boost motivation.
  • Find a Virtual Community: If you’re motivated by group energy, consider virtual classes or online accountability partners.

Step 6: Modify and Adapt as Needed

Your workout space should evolve with your fitness journey. As you grow stronger or shift focus, adjust your setup:

  • Upgrade weights or resistance bands as you build strength.
  • Adjust storage solutions if your equipment collection expands.
  • Refresh your space with new music, scents, or decor to keep it feeling fresh and inviting.

Final Thoughts

I know from experience that a well-planned workout space can be the difference between showing up or skipping it. Whether you're moving furniture around before every class like I did in Puerto Rico or carving out a permanent workout corner, the key is to create a setup that makes exercise easier and more enjoyable. A little effort in organizing your space will pay off in motivation, consistency, and ultimately, results.

Now, roll out your mat, grab your weights, and enjoy the benefits of moving right from the comfort of home!

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You’re leaning on me too much—I’m a joint, not a stabilizer!” We’re often taught to ignore those whispers. Push through. Work harder. No pain, no gain. But that mindset doesn’t belong in a BarSculpt class. We want you to listen. To get curious. To respond before things escalate. The Knee: What It Is and What It Isn’t The knee performs as a hinge joint. That means it’s designed best to bend and straighten. Not rotate. Not twist. Not stabilize your whole body. It connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone), and it relies on the support of your muscles —especially your glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves—to function well. When those muscles aren't firing correctly—either because of faulty alignment, poor cueing, or ingrained movement patterns—the knee joint ends up taking on more than it should. And that’s when the whispers turn to yells. Common Barre Mistakes That Can Aggravate the Knees Here are the three most common issues I see when people experience knee discomfort in a Barre (or sometimes even Pilates) setting: 1. Tucking the Pelvis During the Warm-Up This one drives me a little bananas. The cue to “tuck” the pelvis is still floating around out there like it’s 1999. Tucking under may feel like you're engaging your abs, but what you're really doing is: Shifting your pelvis into a posterior tilt Over-recruiting your quads and hip flexors Disconnecting from your glutes Removing natural shock absorption from your spine When you tuck your pelvis during thigh work, warm-up, or even standing work, you're sending that misalignment straight down the chain, overloading your knees. BarSculpt doesn't teach the tuck. We teach alignment. We teach engagement from the back body, so your front body doesn’t have to hold on for dear life. It’s safer, stronger, and more sustainable. 2. Misaligned Thigh Work Thigh work is meant to light up your quads, glutes, inner thighs—and yes, your core. But too often I see: Feet too wide Knees collapsing inward or pushing too far forward Torso leaning back or forward Weight shifting into the knees instead of staying in the heels and glutes This isn't just less effective—it's risky. Misaligned thigh work turns a strengthening exercise into a strain on your knees. In BarSculpt, we teach neutral pelvis , stacked joints , and abdominal engagement . We work with the natural mechanics of the body, not against them. 3. Using Joints Instead of Muscles It’s easy to mistake movement for effectiveness. Sure, you can dip a little lower. Sink into that plié. But if you’re using your joints to hold that position instead of activating your muscles—you’re just hanging on your knees. Muscles should be working the hardest in every position. That’s where strength comes from. That’s where change happens. If you’re ever in a pose and wondering, “Where should I feel this?” the answer should never be your knees. What to Do When Your Knees Start to “Talk” If your knees start whispering during class, here’s what I want you to do: Back off. You’re allowed to scale back. Check your form. Are your feet aligned? Are your knees tracking over your toes? Recruit your abdominals. Reconnect to your core—especially in thigh work. Reset your spine. Untuck that pelvis. Breathe. Find neutral. Ask questions. Your teacher (hopefully) knows modifications and better alignment cues. BarSculpt teachers certainly do. And above all, don’t push through the pain . That mindset doesn’t make you stronger—it just teaches your body to ignore its signals. Let’s Talk About Why BarSculpt Is Different I’m not here to knock other methods, but I will speak clearly about BarSculpt because I built it with longevity in mind. BarSculpt classes are: ✅ Alignment-focused ✅ Rooted in Pilates and functional movement ✅ Designed to challenge the muscles , not the joints ✅ Educator-led, not performance-driven We don’t want you to “look” a certain way in class—we want you to feel deeply connected, strong, safe, and energized. Barre Should Help You Move Better, Not Hurt Our bodies are designed to move. Movement is not the enemy—misalignment is. Barre (done right) improves posture, stabilizes the pelvis, strengthens muscles around the joints, and supports everyday life. BarSculpt is designed not only to strengthen but to educate. You learn how to move smarter—not harder—so your knees (and hips, and spine) thank you later. Final Thoughts: From Whispers to Wisdom When our knees talk to us, it’s tempting to push through. But ignoring those signals rarely ends well. Instead, we need to get curious. Is this a form issue? Am I tucking when I don’t need to? Are my abdominals doing their job? Is my teacher giving me cues that prioritize aesthetics over mechanics? When we shift the mindset from “more is more” to “aligned is more,” everything changes. Your workouts feel better. You feel stronger. You stop avoiding class and start looking forward to it. So no, Barre isn’t bad for your knees. Bad movement patterns are bad for your knees. Let’s stop blaming the method and start upgrading the message. Want to Learn More? If you’re a client curious about BarSculpt—or a teacher who wants to dive deeper into teaching safe, powerful movement—check out: 👉 BarSculpt Live & On-Demand Classes 👉 BarSculpt Teacher Training 👉 Contact Leslie for Workshops & Support Your knees deserve better. Let’s give it to them.
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