For so many reasons, it seems that more and more Americans are sweating it out exercising these days, and more and more of them are looking for convenient, but creative ways to "get it over with." Those who opt to invest in a health club membership can see the novelty wear off after experiencing a wait for the treadmill, someone else's leftover perspiration on the stomach crunching apparatus, or whiffing the aroma of the locker room. Months of guilty non-use can go by before you realize the regular dues deduction from you checking account could have gone for some other needed expense. You may also find that you can't keep up with the thrice-weekly trips to the gym, sandwiched between kids' soccer practices, dirty laundry, and bringing that last piece of work home from the office to complete.

For that reason, home gyms are not only becoming popular, but are one of the fastest growing options for new home builders and designers. "A recent study reports that people who work out at home are more likely to stick to an exercise program than people who visit gyms - it's easier to get to the equipment, and every time they walk past their dumbbells, they get a constant reminder to work out!", says Fitness Through Technology owner Lisa Johnson. Indeed, there are "no holds barred" with the convenience of a home gym, giving a blank slate time-wise for workouts.

Although working out at home may not take much space or equipment with the right plan (barbells hidden in the closet, collapsible treadmill under the bed, etc.) new home buyers are now opting to use spare rooms for workout areas, arranging the dedicated space needed for consistent, high quality exercise regimens. What is the ideal set-up for the luxury of having a gym at home, and what considerations should be taken when planning one in a new home?

Whether upstairs or down, study the availability of ventilation for the room you wish to use for home gym purposes. If only one small window exists, you may ask the builder about the possibility of making a semi-custom change to add another for more ventilation. If that is not an option, arrange your electrical options to include a hefty overhead fan. Make sure electrical outlets are placed where you intend to place equipment such as treadmills, or any other piece of equipment needing juice. Do you want or do you intend to someday add a TV/VCR to a lofty platform in the corner of the ceiling? Why not arrange now for a high plug for that purpose, so that unsightly cords don't meander to low-lying sockets?

With the 3-car garage fast becoming a standard on many new homes, your builder may be willing to convert the third stall to a gym area, giving you a generous, concrete-sturdy surface in which to set up your equipment. But because many new homebuilders forego garage windows, make sure the ventilation is adequate here as well, without having to open your garage door to achieve it.

Floor surfaces should be able to take lots of wear and tear. Some home gym enthusiasts vary the floor surface, space permitting, with a hardwood or vinyl area for aerobic workouts, and a carpeted area for floor exercising. Builders often offer mirrored walls as options for dining room and formal areas. Putting a mirrored wall in your home gym will give you the added advantage of observing and correcting your form, important to many exercise gurus.

"It's extremely important to consider your goals before investing in equipment," advises Stephen Babbitt, of Body Trends Health and Fitness in Carpinteria, CA. If you enjoy jogging around the neighborhood, you may opt for strength training equipment only in your gym. Make sure the equipment fits into the room with room to spare for leg and arm extensions. There is nothing much more frustrating than literally hitting a wall each time you do an exercise.

If your gym is to be located in an upper floor of your home, check to make sure you can fit the equipment up stairwells and around corners. You may also want to add more underlying floorboards to support the extra weight of a large apparatus. Ask your builder what they can do to help here. If your are into rousing workout videos or booming stereo accompaniment, adding extra soundproofing to the walls of your home gym may be a good idea, so as not to disturb others in the household or even your next door neighbor whose windows may face yours.

However you design it, your home gym can be considered a private refuge for self-improvement and help create a pattern for healthy discipline. And when you're finished, you won't have to grope through a duffle bag for the Gatorade or try to remember your locker combination. After all, you're home.

For advice and information about work-out equipment and how to choose it, check out Lisa's web site at www.fittek.com, and Stephen's at www.bodytrends.com.