The year 2015 is the redeeming year for me. It is the year where I have undergone an immense physical change. Years prior to 2015 were really tough for me. I was so overweight. At the age of 17, I weighed not less than 260 pounds. My doctor has told me that my obesity will put my life at risk in the long run.
So I decided to change my lifestyle, diet and physical routines to lose weight. I enrolled in a gym and engaged myself in different sports, including basketball. With hard work and self-discipline, I achieved my ideal body in the year 2015.
Besides becoming fit, I have discovered something about myself on my journey to losing weight. I realised that I have an undying love for basketball. I have also become a fitness instructor to the gym I enrolled in, inspiring other people who suffered the same situation as me with my redeeming story.
Back to my main topic, I decided this year to build my own home gym and indoor basketball half-court. I will tell you how I came up and planned my gym and court, from deciding which sport floor to use down to the court theme.
Creating My Own Gym at Home
The Gym Equipment
After working as a fitness instructor for more than three years, I was able to buy gym equipment for personal use. Although my gym equipment is incomplete compared to commercial gyms, I can say that I have what I need when it comes to strengthening my muscles and core, improving stamina and cardio, as well as tools for mobility and flexibility.
I have my own treadmill, stair climbers, benches, punching bags, free weights and Bosu ball, power wheel, battle rope, multi-grip chin-up bar, bars and so on.
The Flooring
I was very particular with flooring. My old linoleum floor was not suitable for gym use. The linoleum floor is slippery, especially when wet. It adds risks of slip and falls when there are sweats everywhere.
I chose a sport floor for the flooring. The sport floor is suitable for gym use because it has a nice grip on the shoes and equipment and absorbs shocks. It mimics the surface of football, marathon and other field sports.
Additional Facilities
I also added studio mirrors which are floor to ceiling mirrors. Most gyms have these mirrors all around.
I created a small station for beverages, I have a small fridge for water and blenders for fruit and vegetable smoothies, and protein shakes.
Lights and Ventilation
I decided not to remove the window since it provides natural light in the morning but used fire retardant fabric as drapes. Besides being fire-resistant, fire retardant fabric is an effective sunlight-blinds, too, especially when the sun is too high.
I also installed an air duct system for the gym for better ventilation and to eliminate sweat odours.
Creating My Own Basketball Court
Basketball Equipment
Since I only have limited space in the house, I settled with a basketball half-court.
I mounted a basketball hoop on my wall, 10 feet high, according to the NBA standards. I also installed an LED scoreboard just above the door; so it won't be hit by the ball.
The Flooring
Since I can't afford the hardwood flooring basketball courts should have, I used synthetic flooring, which is much cheaper.
A PVC sport floor can last up to 30 years if properly maintained. The rubber sport floor lasts for ten years.
The Theme
I am a huge fan of the LA Lakers and the late Black Mamba- Kobe Bryant. I decided to make an LA Lakers theme basketball court. I chose the colours yellow and purple for the walls.
I hired an artist to paint a Kobe Bryant mural just below the basketball hoop.
On the bench side, I used printed flooring to show NBA's "The Finals" stencil and the LA Lakers team logo beside it. I wanted to put those on the court itself, but the printed flooring that I chose was not really suitable for sports use. I just decided to put it on the bench side.
Additional Facilities
I put a little fun on my court by putting yellow and purple lights on the ceiling's edges as well as around the hoop board. My half-court is serving a dual purpose. In case I host a party or reunion of several people, we can have an open space to gather.
It is really fun and satisfying to invest in something you are passionate about. I hope my story will help you to create your own gym or court.
The Mill International
Are you planning to improve your flooring? The Mill International provides you with the best carpeting and flooring solution in Singapore. From elegant event carpets to sports floors, The Mill International has all for you. Light up your flooring and maximise its function with The Mill International.
