No place like home for a workout: furniture doubling as gym equipment saves space in Hong Kong flats
A side table that doubles as a rowing machine, a chair that's an 'invisible gym', a stand-up workstation that's also a workout station - how to make your small flat into a home gym
We don't need another survey to tell us the benefits of exercising more - yet research companies continue to peddle them out.
The hours spent at home offer potential time to up the movement ante, but with apartments becoming excruciatingly small, there is no place for bulky gym equipment. Here's how to work up a sweat without leaving home.
Lawyer Jonathan Barkey has slung a TRX from the ceiling in his 1,000 sq ft flat, a feature of his home's remodelling that he specified should incorporate opportunities for impromptu exercise.
"I don't have a dining room table - just a bar set-up on the kitchen island," he said. "This frees up a decent space to do push ups, roll out the yoga mat, or use my TRX."
It is easily removed - "so I could take it down if friends are coming over" - but mostly, Barkey does not bother. He finds the equipment visually unobtrusive, and something of a novelty among guests, who tend to "swing off it like monkeys".
Personal trainer Alex de Fina, founder and CEO of Bikini Fit Asia also appreciates the TRX's minimal design impact. "It can be anchored to a ceiling or door frame without being a design eyesore," he said.