Designing a Home Gym for Small Spaces
Rethinking Where We Train
As the way we train continues to change, so does our approach to where we train. Whether in a city flat, a converted loft or a compact cottage, it’s entirely possible to create an effective, design-led home gym without compromising style or available space.
At WATERROWER | NOHRD, we focus on form and function. Our handcrafted wooden fitness equipment is built to perform and designed to integrate smoothly into the home, whether in a dedicated area or as part of an open-plan layout.
Choose Equipment that Works Hard Without Taking Up Space
Traditional gym machines are often bulky, noisy and visually intrusive. Our equipment offers a refined alternative—compact, efficient and crafted from materials that elevate the look and feel of your home.
- WaterRower—The WaterRower provides a full-body, low-impact workout and is suitable for all fitness levels. When not in use, it stores upright without dismantling and takes up no more room than a dining chair. Its elegant wooden frame, available in various finishes, blends effortlessly with modern or traditional interiors.
- NOHRD WallBars – Bring functional training to the vertical plane, offering full-body strength and mobility workouts while requiring minimal wall space. Foldable arms and add-on accessories ensure flexibility without clutter.
- NOHRD Bike—With a sleek, compact frame and silent belt drive, the NOHRD Bike is designed for both performance and aesthetics. Ideal for smaller homes or home offices, it delivers high-intensity cycling without taking up space.
- NOHRD SlimBeam – The SlimBeam offers a full cable machine experience in a minimal vertical frame. Mounted close to the wall, it supports a wide range of strength and rehabilitation exercises using an adjustable weight stack and smooth dual cables. With its clean design and wooden housing, the SlimBeam brings commercial-grade functionality into a refined home setting without demanding floor space.
- SwingWeights Tower and Board—These sculptural strength training tools provide a visual complement to the room rather than an intrusion.
Creating a home gym in a smaller property doesn’t require a full room.
Make Space Work for You
Creating a home gym in a smaller property doesn’t require a full room. With the right approach, even compact areas can become highly functional, or the equipment can be introduced into open-plan spaces without disrupting the home's flow.
Start by assessing where the gym will be set up, as this will guide your layout and equipment choices. Measure the space carefully, considering both floor area and ceiling height. This is especially important for taller machines or dynamic exercises. Some equipment, like the SlimBeam, may require wall mounting on a load-bearing or reinforced wall.
Opt for compact, multi-functional equipment for limited areas that fully uses the available room. A WaterRower, for example, provides a more complete workout than many single-purpose machines while storing upright when not in use.
Consider underused corners, spare rooms, landings, or space beneath stairs for dedicated setups. In open-plan homes, our clean-lined wooden equipment blends into living areas without appearing out of place.
Aesthetic Matters
Fitness equipment shouldn’t need to be hidden. Each piece in the WATERROWER | NOHRD collection is made to the same standard as quality furniture, using sustainably sourced woods like oak, cherry and walnut. In small spaces, where every element plays a part in the look and feel of the room, this attention to design makes a real difference.
Bringing It All Together
A small or open-plan home doesn’t mean you have to compromise. With careful space planning and equipment designed for compact living, you can build a gym that supports your goals and complements your environment.
Explore the full WATERROWER | NOHRD collection at our London or High Wycombe showrooms or book a virtual appointment to speak with a member of our team.
