If you enjoy working out and having a steady and well-balanced fitness regimen, that’s very impressive. Nevertheless, people that are persistent and care about improving themselves are always looking for more. Working out from home can have its downsides, of course. However, it has many upsides as well. One of the best things that a home gym offers is the freedom to design your own space whichever way you see fit. In the spirit of having even better workouts, here are some plants to have in your gym that’ll make all the difference.
Make sure to do your research and understand the different effects plants can have
The first thing you should be aware of when thinking about the plants for your gym is that there are many different plants out there. All of these plants can have different effects on us and the space we bring them in. Don’t take anything as a given. Doing your research and seeing how each plant will either contribute or subtract from your space is essential. Never purchase indoor plants because they look nice.
Creating a home gym
If you’re new to the whole “home gym” game and have not yet started decorating, that means that you still have a long way to go. Make sure to consult someone if you’re not sure where to start. Finding a budget-friendly way to do this and not overspending should be one of your goals since home gyms don’t need to cost a fortune. Getting used or second-hand equipment will work just fine.
Why is having plants in your gym beneficial?
There are many potential benefits to some of these plants to have in your gym. It all depends on which ones you choose.
- You’ll be more productive
- Something that has proven to benefit from having plants in your gym is your productivity. No matter if they’re a part of your office space or your gym, these little green buddies make you want to do better.
- You’ll create a healthier workout space
- Some plants eliminate toxins, and others improve upon the air we breathe differently. No matter the specifics, it’s a great benefit.
- Plants relieve stress
- Finally, many have noticed that some of these plants to have in the gym help alleviate stress. They do so by creating a more positive environment.
Be practical
Of course, we all enjoy nice-looking plants that’ll decorate our space and make it more aesthetically pleasing. However, this shouldn’t be a priority. Make sure to look for practical plants since that’s the point of your workouts.
Plants that repel insects
Getting plants that repel insects if you live in climates where you’re more susceptible to them is a great idea. There’s nothing worse than having to wear long sleeves in warm weather just because of mosquitos. These are good options:
- Lemongrass
- Basil
- Lavander
Plants that you can implement in your skincare
Some plants have benefits that will be useful after your workouts. Growing them and implementing them into your skincare routine is an excellent way to help your budget and have fantastic skin.
Here are some of these plants:
- Aloe vera
- Mint
- Bay Leaf
Air purifying plants
Something that you can never get enough of while working out is fresh air. These plans are fantastic to have in your gym since they’ll help purify the air you breathe while exercising:
- Snake plants
- Jade plants
- ZZ plants
Easy-to-maintain plants
Of course, most people don’t want to constantly worry about plant maintenance. If you’re someone who’s not very into having plant babies, make sure to get ones that are very easy to keep alive. This way, you’ll still get some of these benefits, and you won’t have to worry about having an extra obligation. Here are some of them:
- Lucky Bamboo
- Moss Wall
- Orchid
Grow healthy foods that help with your workouts
We all know that working out is nothing without a healthy diet. Why not try to better your health by growing your own food. Of course, you won’t grow everything you need, but some plants would be great, and they aren’t that hard to maintain.
- Flaxseeds
If you want something loaded with omega-3 fats and nutrients, flaxseeds are your jam.
- Quinoa
A superfood with essential amino acids filled with protein.
- Lentils
Potassium, folate, and all that fiber in lentils will make your workouts far more beneficial.
Other great plants to have in your gym
Aside from these specific plants, there’s an abundance of different ones that are beneficial for one reason or another. Doing your research and getting the ones you find helpful and necessary is a fun, educative, and gratifying process.
For instance, these are popular choices in home gyms:
- Areca Palm
- Spider plant
- Pothos
Which plants to avoid?
Besides all these tremendous and beneficial plants, there are some we wouldn’t advise your to keep in your living space.
- English Ivy
Although it’s not nearly as bad as its cousin, Poison Ivy, this plant isn’t for everyone. If you’re sensitive and prone to different allergies, maybe it’s a good idea to skip this one altogether. There are so many better plants out there.
- Ficus Tree
Although not very harmful on its own, Ficus shouldn’t be as popular as it has become over the years. Its benefits are very insignificant in comparison with the downsides. It’s a plant with invasive roots, it can be harmful to pets, and it collects a heck of a lot of dust.
- Euphorbia Trigona
Although it looks mesmerizing and fabulous, this cactus plant isn’t worth it. Especially when it comes to plants to have in your gym, a room where there’s a lot of movement, we don’t recommend it. If you happen to touch it, it can cause nasty skin irritations.
There are some beautiful plants to have in your gym. You need to decide what you want to achieve and go from there.
Author bio: Zane Jameel has decided to dedicate his life to fitness over fifteen years ago. Having built his fitness career at Dubai PT and grown up with parents who owned a plant shop gives him a unique perspective on this subject.
Photo Credits:
Featured Image
Tropical Plants
Aloe Vera Plant
Spider Plant