Covid-19 still has many martial arts gyms and facilities ina state offlux. With the virus still a large issue in many areas of the world, many athletes have found benefits in having an additional training space at home. When planning ahome gym, what is it important to consider before looking at equipment? Ask yourself these three questions.

Will the Home Gym BePermanent or Temporary?

Consider whether you can dedicate a permanent space to training, or whether you will be puttingmartial artsmatsin a space that has other uses.If youare able tokeep the mats down, you will be able to consider options such as extra cushioning underneath the mats as well as the heavier, more traditional, Zebra mats. Spaces that must also be used for working, sleeping, eating, etc., mean that more movable mats must be considered. While the traditional Zebra mats can be moved and stacked, they cannot be rolled and may take up more storage space than is feasible. Zebra'shome roll-out matsandpuzzle matsare great options. The thicker grappling puzzle mats are ideal for ground-based martial arts.

Do YouOwn or Rent?

Do you own or rent your living space? This willaffectwhat you're able to do with your training space. Landlords may have rules against putting double-sided tape on the floor to hold mats. You maynot to be able screw inwallpads, if wall padding is somethingyou'reconsidering. If you rent, you may be limited to what you can do, but thatdoesn'tmean you can't get creative. Different mats can be used on top of various flooring, including carpeting.It'simportant to know what youhave towork with before you start.

Do You HavePets?

Do you have pets? What kind, and will they be allowed in your training space? Dogs and cats both have nails that can scratch or tear mats. Smaller animals, such as rabbits and ferrets, may chew on the mats or urinate on them, causing unreversible damage. Consider your pets when you decide on a location for your training space. If you own pets that may cause damage to your mats, a room that can be closed off or mats that can be put down and picked up may be a better choice.

Find everything you need for your home gym at Zebra Athletics!