Peace Arch News, Tuesday, September 18, 2012 RenoNation
Making your home more energy-efficient starts with some great new windows. Craig Lovell of A1 Windows has some tips.
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Keeping up your energy By Kerry Vital The cooler weather is on its way, and you will soon be keeping your windows closed. You will depend on them to help keep the heat in your home inside, but you should also be able to depend on them to save you some money on your energy bill. “There are typically annual savings of 10 to 20 per cent,”
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Working out at home Summer isn’t the only time you should be thinking about buying some fitness equipment. By Kerry Vital
Gordon Wilson of G. Wilson Construction says that the new owners of this Point Grey house lived in the area and had always admired the home. However, the property was overgrown so they needed a lot of professional help to restore it to its former glory. Martin Knowles photo
Bringing new life to a run-down home G. Wilson Construction works with architect Sean Ruf to restore a house from 1932. By Maggie Calloway What do you do when you buy a fantastic one-acre lot in a prime area of Point Grey which comes complete with a very large home? What if the house hasn’t been updated for scores of years, if in fact nature is trying it’s best to take back the land by sending saplings and various botanical specimens through any crack she can find including a tree growing out of a couch on the
top floor? You make the decision to strip back the house to its bones and rebuild if you are the client of G. Wilson Construction! “This home of approximately 5,000 square feet was originally built by the grandfather of the woman from whom the house and property was purchased; she had lived in the house her whole life, so it had been in the same family since it was built in 1932,” says Wilson. “The house was designed by the same team that designed the Marine Building, McCarter & Nairne and located in what must have been countryside at the time.” The footprint of the house stayed the same and the exterior of the building was not changed. A few areas had to be rebuilt and some of the
dormers were rotten but they were rebuilt to be identical to the originals. “Our clients lived in the area and used to walk by this house a lot, and always admired the house. The house was obviously in disrepair with old cars in the driveway, the property was overgrown and the roof was rotten but they felt there was something charming about it and they could just see what it could become,” Wilson says. “We originally walked through the house, which was a disaster but we could see passed it and saw the house was basically straight and it had stood the test of time. The interior needed
The holiday season is coming, and you’re pretty sure you’ll be indulging in some delicious food. But the holiday weight gain isn’t inevitable. Investing in some home gym equipment might be just the thing you need to prevent those pounds from sneaking on this year. “What you need is specific to the goals of the individual,” says Dai Manuel, chief operating officer for Fitness Town. “I recommend at least one resistance and one cardio (machine).” Cardio machines include treadmills, elliptical trainers, rowing machines and stationary bikes. Treadmills and ellipticals are still hugely popular, but recently Manuel has seen an increase in functional training machines, which allow you to do several exercises with the same piece of equipment. “They’re awesome machines,” he says. “They’re all-in-one and versatile.” A current trend in fitness, whether it’s at the gym or
morepage.15 page.11 ““more
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RenoNation Peace Arch News, Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Come home to natural gas Natural gas offers comfort, convenience and value Your home is perhaps your most important investment. It costs money to maintain it, and needs energy to run it. By choosing the right energy for the right use, you can maximize energy efficiency and value for your energy dollars. Natural gas is a good choice for heating, whether it’s hot water for a shower or warmth from the furnace or fireplace. It’s also great for barbecuing burgers on the patio. And, with the variety of stylish natural gas appliances and rebates available, upgrading your appliances to natural gas is more affordable. Find energy efficiency rebates that meet your needs at fortisbc.com/offers.
Natural gas makes your summers seem endless A natural gas barbecue never runs out of fuel. If you have a natural gas patio heater or fire pit, you can stay outside long after summer‘s over. And when that blustery storm hits, you can stay warm and well fed with a natural gas fireplace and range. Both will continue working during a power outage. For comfort, convenience and value balance your home’s energy mix with natural gas. Visit fortisbc.com/gasisgood to watch our video on how natural gas fits into your everyday life.
Choices to fit your life Stylish, convenient natural gas appliances increase the comfort of your home, indoors and out. Find out more about energy efficient appliances at fortisbc.com/gasappliances. Furnaces and boilers
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Peace Arch News, Tuesday, September 18, 2012 RenoNation
“FortisBC was the obvious choice WR KHOS PH o QG D JDV FRQWUDFWRU IRU WKH W\SH RI VHUYLFH , QHHGHG y Rich, FortisBC customer
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Need a licensed gas fitter? Rich of Tsawwassen did. As a new homeowner he decided to check with us for help. He used our directory, fortisbc.com/findacontractor and found the right contractor to service his home’s natural gas fireplace.
Fall into savings Change the filter Replace your furnace filter every three to six months; more if you smoke or have pets. It will help protect the furnace and prevent the fan motor from overheating. Wear a sweater, it’s way better Instead of cranking up the heat, put on a sweater. Not only will you feel cozy, it’s another way to save money on your heating bills. Close the doors and save some more Keep doors and windows closed to prevent heat from escaping. Visit fortisbc.com/savingenergy for additional tips.
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Renovate to save Want to save energy at home but not sure how? We’ll show you with our short, informative how-to videos. Like replacing a furnace filter or updating your showerhead to a low-flow model. Watch them on our website at fortisbc.com/howto or scan this code with your smart phone.
FortisBC Energy Inc., FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc., FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc., and FortisBC Inc. do business as FortisBC. The companies are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Fortis Inc. FortisBC uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. (12-094.3A 09/2012) 12-094.3A_LM_Renonation_PP.indd 2
12-09-14 11:17 AM
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RenoNation Peace Arch News, Tuesday, September 18, 2012
G. Wilson Construction takes house down to the studs to create new paradise “ from page.1 major work including electrical and plumbing to bring it up to code but with the exception of ... some of the rooms (being) opened up to bring in more light and to create larger rooms, the layout remained the same.” The house has three floors, with the bedrooms on the top floor and some in the typical old unfinished basement of the era which had lower ceilings. “No question it was a challenge, 5,000 square feet of a complete gut job and renovation and the clients wanted to take residence in eight months,” says Wilson. “A further surprise was the clients decided they wanted the basement lowered three feet to make it usable, all in the same eight months. The approach we take on a project this size, after we have documented every detail, is to remove everything that can be reused, repaired or salvaged. Anything we didn’t reuse which still had some life in it was donated.” They took down all the light fixtures and sent to them off to storage. The beautiful front staircase was completely covered with plywood to protect it from any damage. The fireplaces were protected in place and a few other features were removed and catalogued. All the interior doors and hardware were removed and stored. When that was done they went in and completely gutted the house right down to the studs. “We then brought in the structural engineers and they went through what was required to bring the house up to twenty-first century standards,” Wilson says. “Next we removed all the electrical wiring and all the plumbing. All the mechanics were removed including a big old boiler in the basement covered in asbestos.” Once the house was rewired, replumbed and all new mechanics installed it was on to
the good stuff. The kitchen is very modern but really works. The kitchen is one of the areas of the house where walls were removed to create a larger space. The old kitchen, dinette and dining room became the new kitchen and dining room. “Sean (Ruf), the architect, did an amazing job bringing the house up to the twenty-first century but at the same time leaving the timeless elegance of the era,” Wilson says. “Even in the kitchen, which is very modern, the hardware on the doors is the original and it just looks fantastic next to this streamlined room.” Well done to all who worked on this project and the owners who fell in love and had the sensibility to see past the surface and were willing to invest.
The exterior of the house, above, was not touched except to repair anything that was rotten. The new kitchen, below, is modern and sleek, while the new bathroom, left, and living area, below left, fit perfectly in this beautiful house. Submitted photo left, all others Martin Knowles photos
A window on the world “ from page.1 says Craig Lovell, sales manager at A1 Windows. However, the cost savings aren’t the only concern when you’re thinking about replacing old windows. “Many people are replacing single-glazed aluminum windows with energy-efficient vinyl frames, (which increases) their personal comfort and health by preventing drafts, condensation and potential mold or mildew growth,” says Lovell. “Not only are old metal frames greater conductors of heat, they are also doing a great job of conducting noise as well. Newer frames and double-glazing can significantly reduce the noise on the inside of a home or an apartment.” Lovell also notes that many older windows don’t meet current building requirements, so they can be a safety issue if not replaced. If you’re concerned about the sun doing damage to your skin, the energy-efficient coating on new windows also offers protection from harmful UV rays. When you’re considering replacing your windows, it’s best to think about a few things first. “The objective should be to get the overall best value for your budget,” says Lovell. “To do this it is always best to have a knowledgeable salesperson review the options with you at your home.” Good companies will offer free in-home estimates, which will give you a better idea of what is in store for you. A great thing about this type of renovation is how quickly your new windows will be installed, usually within a day. “People are often surprised at how quick it can be,” says Lovell. With many different options available to you, it’s best to consider the type of glass and type of frame that you are looking for.
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“Typically vinyl frames offer the best overall value for their insulation properties and price,” says Lovell. “It is now possible to get good quality painted vinyl that allows you to get creative if you wish.” When energy efficiency is on the top of your list, the glass makes a difference as well. “The number of panes of glass combined with reflective coatings and an inert gas fill such as Argon between the panes provides increased energy efficiency,” Lovell says. The installation of your windows also must be taken into account, since everything can be undone if it’s not completed properly. “Poor installation can negate superior window performance,” says Lovell. “Unless you are doing extensive renovations it is often best to have one company to do both the supply and the installation. They are the ones most familiar with their products and will often warranty not only the product but their installation for a period of years.” Government grants and rebates for installing energy-efficient windows are available through BC Hydro’s LiveSmart program. The ENERGY STAR system rates windows by zone, with the Lower Mainland being Zone A. Installing a window that is rated for this zone will garner you a rebate, but Lovell recommends installing a window rated for one zone higher, which will give you an even better rebate. “It doubles the rebate” per window, he says, “from $30 to $60.” Energy efficiency is a growing trend in both new home construction and renovations, but it is more than a passing fad. Keeping your energy costs low will save you money in the long run as well as protecting the planet.
When you’re considering replacing your windows to increase the energy efficiency of your home, it’s best to take a look at several factors, including the type of glass and the frame.
Sales Director: Lisa Farquharson • 604-575-5364 • lisa@blackpress.ca Editor: Kerry Vital 604-575-5346 • editor@newlocalhome.com Writer: Maggie Calloway maggiec@blackpress.ca Advertising • Black Press National Sales • 604-575-5826 Contributing photographers • Martin Knowles, www.mkphotomedia.com; Rob Newell, www.robnewellphotography.ca RenoNation is published by Black Press Group Ltd., (Suite 309 - 5460 152 Street, Surrey, B.C. V3S 5J9) 350,000 copies are distributed free across Metro Vancouver. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.
Submitted photos
Peace Arch News, Tuesday, September 18, 2012 RenoNation
Adding a few decorative accents an easy change By Maggie Calloway If you want to personalize your home or you are in the process of looking for a new one, don’t be discouraged by the endless “sameness” of home after home. By some very simple applications of mouldings or baseboards, you can take a plain Jane home from boring to wow! Don’t make the mistake of thinking great crown moulding, baseboards and all endless permutations are only for big stately homes; you can put your stamp on your present home by some pretty simple but effective applications. Terry Cook, the manager of Nucasa – The Finishing Touch is an expert on finding the perfect combination for your home. “Crown mouldings work extremely well on eight-foot-ceilings, as do baseboards; they just need to be proportionate,” he says. “On an eight-foot ceiling you probably want to stay within 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 inches, 5 1/4” maximum for the ceiling but the ideal is the 4 1/4 crown moulding. ... Then you would complement that with a 4 1/4 to a 5 1/4 to as low as a 3 1/4 baseboard; don’t go any lower because it would get lost and if you go higher it’s too loud and out of proportion.” Let’s not forget door and window casings. Both present more opportunities to add depth. There are a number of applications, including rosettes. These squares of wood with a pattern, applied to the top corners of a door frame, make a huge difference when coupled with plinths at the bottom. The plinths stand about six inches tall and together with the rosettes they look stunning, taking the ordinary to the extraordinary.
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“Another way to dress a doorway is the application of a header, with or without a plinth,” says Cook. “A header is a build-up of a crown mould along the top and past the casing. The header can be as plain or as detailed as you wish. One thing homeowners should keep in mind when going this route is you should follow suit throughout the whole house.” Another point to keep in mind is to stay true to your personal style. If you are comfortable with a minimalist style your mouldings should reflect that. Concrete floors and countertops are wonderful but when coupled with fancy moulding, it’s more than a little jarring. The good news is there is a product for every wish list and probably some you haven’t dreamed of yet.
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Terry Cook of Nucasa says that crown moulding and baseboards aren’t just for grand mansions. Even adding some depth to the ceiling, left and above left, can make a difference. Martin Knowles photos
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RenoNation Peace Arch News, Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Saving yourself from stress when building onto your home By Kerry Vital Your home is looking a bit crowded lately, and now you’re considering building an addition. Perhaps your family has grown in recent years, or you just want a bit of extra space for entertaining. There are many things to consider when undertaking such a project, but John Friswell of CCI Renovations has some tips for homeowners. “You need to ensure you have enough space,” he says. Municipalities have different rules for the height and width of a structure, so it is important to do some research before deciding on what the addition will look like. Figuring out your budget is also important before you start speaking to renovation companies. “Budget expectations are wide and varied,” says Friswell. “It’s dependent on site, structure and what you’re putting in it. Bedrooms and living rooms are cheaper, while kitchens and bathrooms are more expensive.” As to whether you will be able to live in your home during the construction, Friswell says it depends on the type of reno-
vation. If you will be working on a master bedroom and ensuite that only connects to a hallway, that will be a different story than building another wing from scratch. “We always recommend that owners might want to head out,” he says. “It can be a lot of stress and a lot of mess for them.” When deciding on a design for your new project, it’s best to look at what you like and dislike about your current house. “We go through a questionnaire to find out their thoughts,” Friswell says. “We need to know why they’re doing a renovation. Usually it’s because they don’t have enough space.” Whether you’re expanding the living area or adding a bathroom, discussing your plans with a professional and doing your research will stand you in good stead. While it can be a long process, ending up with a home you love is never time or money wasted.
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Accessorizing the bathroom easier than ever By Kerry Vital The fixtures in your bathroom are looking dated, or perhaps you’ve moved into an older home and want to give it an update. You’re contemplating replacing them with something new, but there’s a number of choices available, and you’re not sure where to start. Perhaps it’s best to get the advice of a professional. “You need to trust the sales staff,� says Shelli Auclair, showroom manager for Universal Supply. The sales staff at Universal Supply’s Artistic Baths showrooms all have over 10 years experience with helping customers find their perfect fit, so taking advantage of their expertise will give you some peace of mind. “Our people can read blueprints and know building codes,� Auclair says. “We’ve seen some bad design out there. Architects don’t always know plumbing codes, which is why The array of choices available to you when you’re choosing it’s important� to get professional advice when something new for your bathroom can be exhausting, from you’re looking for new fixtures. glass sinks, above, to many different types of faucets, right. When it comes to current trends, energy Martin Knowles photos efficiency is at the top of many buyers’ minds, as longer popular. These include brass-finished well as a clean look. faucets and dated coloured fixtures. “Modern, simple, practical,� says Gloria Lu, branch Instead, Kohler offers a range of colourful supervisor for the brand-new Artistic Baths showroom in bathroom sinks that incorporate various Richmond when asked about popular designs. designs, from leaves to a Moroccan print. When you’re considering the kind of fixtures you want to Undermount sinks are becoming buy, it’s important to consider a few things first. increasingly popular as well. The pedestal “Who is using the bathroom? What (are) their needs? What sink is also a trendy choice, especially if is the budget?� asks Lu. “It’s always better to consider the you’re going for a more old-world feel. practicality first.� Even the faucets are getting fancy. You can Some of the brands that Lu recommends include Kohler, find faucets that match the sink design, or Hytec and Brizo. The Richmond branch of Artistic Baths is even ones that look like old-fashioned pumps. an exclusive Kohler showroom, and offers options for every When it comes to your new fixtures and aesthetic, whether you’re looking for a sleek sink faucet or an faucets, you will have no trouble finding just ornate rain shower head that reminds you of a spa. what you want with such an amazing array The fixtures in your bathroom can be as decorative or as now available in the market. plain as you’d like, though there are several things that are no
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RenoNation Peace Arch News, Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Finding an oasis of calm in the midst of a busy life By Maggie Calloway Long gone are the days when bathrooms were pretty basic, even utilitarian, rooms. Now we have in-home spa bathrooms with steam showers, huge walk-in rain head showers, heated towel bars and wall-to-wall granite or marble. Even if you are not in the market for all the bells and whistles, it is possible to have an inviting bathroom that not only services your family but is attractive to a possible future buyer. Mike Merakian of Blue Ocean Construction not only builds custom bathrooms but also installs scores of bathrooms for Home Depot so his experience is varied and substantial. “Obviously it all depends on the customer’s taste and budget; that is the starting point,” he says. He’s noticed that there are several recent trends. “For Home Depot we install soaker tubs, 90 per cent of the bathrooms have tile on the walls and we are doing more and more all-inone vanities. These vanities have the sink and the counter all-in-one; it’s a step that saves time and money and they are very attractive, like a piece of furniture,” he says. “Being able to fit this unit into the bathroom and just connect the plumbing is a huge time saver. Rather than ordering various parts, such as sink and counter which could take weeks to arrive, this new all-in-one system is very efficient.” Gone are the days of placing tile directly onto the walls in the shower stall and bath. Now membranes called a Schluter system, specially made for water resistance, are carefully installed seamlessly, before tiling, to prevent water leakage and mold. “There are other methods of water proofing, of course, in fact we now have five or six different applications we can use on shower
All-in-one vanities, above, are a rising trend in spa-like bathrooms. Mike Merakian of Blue Ocean Construction says that soaker tubs, bottom right, are one of the top sellers right now. Submitted photos
walls where ten years ago we just had two. Whatever method is used, it is the most important part of renovating anywhere there is water and humidity,” says Merakian. If you are building a custom bathroom the sky is the limit, Merakian says. “Custom showers and steam showers with frameless glass are big. Heated floors are huge; we used to use coil pads but by running wire and covering with a skim coat of concrete we have more flexibility. Niches in the shower stalls for shampoo and such, sometimes with custom shapes, are once again popular.” Even the sealing of the grout has come a
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long way. “There are very narrow wheels you dip into the sealing solution and run over the dry grout,” says Merakian. “Now we have a lot of coloured sealers so if your grout is stained you can go over it with coloured sealer and it looks brand-new.” Have fun when planning your new bathroom but keep the main features neutral. You can’t go wrong with pure white, and if you want to introduce some colour, walls and towels are where you should concentrate. This is a room where you can recharge after a long day so indulge yourself.
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Peace Arch News, Tuesday, September 18, 2012 RenoNation
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Making your kitchen into a gourmet’s dream By Maggie Calloway It seems like a dichotomy that in today’s world with everyone short of time, running here and there, that home cooking has seen a renaissance. Not only are people cooking but they are cooking from scratch. They’re not only making pasta but actually making the dough! There is a growing concern about where our food is coming from and how it is grown. The only way to really know what goes into our food is to pick it out personally, and that is where the wonderful explosion of farmer’s markets come in; we can talk to the grower directly and even form weekly relationships with our favourite farmer. The choice of fresh fruit and vegetables plus specialty cheeses and breads is enough to get the most jaded among us salivating! Dave Werner is the owner of Cookworks, two stores in Vancouver dedicated to the home chef. The stores offer up an Aladdin’s treasure trove matching the jobs to products. “It’s very interesting how people are going back to basics,” he says. “A carpenter needs good tools and a cook needs good tools too so we would recommend starting with a very good set of knives; they make preparation so much easier.” The recent recession has sparked a trend in cooking, Werner says. “People are looking for things that fall into a couple of categories. There is a return to quality products, (and) people who are really into cooking for the family plus entertaining, and want products that do the job (and) will last, and they are willing to invest. People are returning to core basics; they would rather have one good pot than dozens of gadgets.” One surprising thing Werner mentioned was how so many people are canning. That is really returning to core values! “Living where we do with such an abundance of fresh product from surrounding
farms, people are really taking advantage of the availability,” says Werner. “Pressure cooking is also having a big resurgence; people may not have a lot of time but they are finding ways of cooking healthy food.” Baking from scratch is another big thing these days with the whole family getting involved. They may not bake on a daily basis but when they do they once again want to know what is going into the food their family is eating. Werner says his stores can hardly keep stand mixers on the shelf, which is a 180-degree turn from four or five years ago. With the explosion of excellent cooking shows on the Food Network, I have to admit I have a soft spot for Jamie Oliver, a British chef who has hosted several cooking shows, including The Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution and Jamie Oliver’s Food Escapes. His genuine enthusiasm for learning and the delighted expression on his face when he completes a recipe makes me smile, and the easy access to any recipe, simple or complicated, on the web feeds the imagination. Did you know there are websites where you can list what you have in your pantry and up pops a recipe? Just Google “recipes by ingredients” and you will have a choice of websites. There are also a number of applications available for your smartphone that will give you recipe ideas and allow you to make a grocery list straight from the recipe. Next thing we know people are going to start getting rid of lawns and planting their own fruit and vegetables. Wouldn’t that be great?
Dave Werner of Cookworks, below, says that people are going back to the basics with their cooking, from making their own pasta in a stand mixer to mixing their own carbonated drinks in a SodaStream, left. Martin Knowles photos
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RenoNation Peace Arch News, Tuesday, September 18, 2012
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Peace Arch News, Tuesday, September 18, 2012 RenoNation
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Building the perfect home gym starts with finding a pleasing place to put it “ from page.1
at home, is to exercise in ways that actually mirror real life movements. Many old-fashioned strength moves aren’t actually applicable to how your muscles move on a daily basis, so machines that make you work the muscles that you do use are especially important. “There’s a rise in sports like Crossfit,” says Manuel. “It’s functional fitness.” Crossfit is an exercise program where people do daily workouts using jump ropes, dumbbells and their own body weight, as well as other types of apparatus. Another popular program right now is P90X, short for Power 90 Extreme. It is an at-home regimen that lasts 90 days and includes yoga, martial arts, aerobic exercise and weight training. Manuel says he’s seen many people purchase the program lately, because it doesn’t need to be done at a gym and uses minimal equipment. “There’s a convenience factor there,” he says. When you picture weight training, you probably think of a full set of free weights and a bench, with muscle men grunting and straining to finish that last repetition. However, that’s not all that’s available anymore. New innovations in strength training include weighted kettlebells, Steelbells, which are made of neoprene and filled with steel shot, weighted body bars, and weighted ropes and chains (perhaps not something to do if you live in an apartment). As always, there are still the classic barbells and dumbbells, but now they can be brightly coloured and wrapped in neoprene to lessen the chance of calluses. When it comes to where to put your home gym, Manuel says it’s important to put it in a place that you actually want to visit. “If it’s not a space that you enjoy, it will become a reason not to exercise,” he says, adding that many people put their gym in a spare bedroom or garage because they’re easy places to put equipment. “If you don’t make it easy, you won’t do it,” he says. While some people can run on a treadmill for hours without getting bored, others need something to distract them. Installing a television or grabbing your iPod might help you forget that you’re burning calories. “I believe in being productive,” Manuel says. “Some people can read a book or a magazine while exercising. I can’t!” A common misconception that many people have is that you need a large space to exercise in, but Manuel says that’s untrue. “You can do incredible things in tight spaces. ... I can give people a workout with just a medicine ball.” When deciding on what kind of equipment to buy, it’s best to consult a professional for some tips. “It’s really specific to the goals of the individual,” Manuel says. “What are you trying to accomplish?” And lest you worry about getting bored with your routine and therefore stopping before you see results, Manuel says that shouldn’t be a problem. “There are lots of tools readily available,” he says. “You’re not doing the same thing every day. There is a lot more variety.” If you’re feeling a little bit tender after a workout, you don’t have to suffer. While it’s completely normal to feel a bit of soreness when you’re doing a new routine, don’t push yourself into an injury. “You have to go by how you feel,” Manuel says. Fitness and sports stores carry several pieces of equipment that can be used to untie some of your knots, from foam rollers to the plain old tennis ball. However, it is always recommended to consult your doctor before starting on any fitness regimen, especially if you haven’t worked out in a long time or if you have any injuries or health problems.
Dai Manuel, chief operating officer of Fitness Town, recommends people looking to build their own home gym invest in one piece of resistance equipment and one piece of cardio equipment as a starting point. Resistance equipment includes functional trainers, below right, and kettlebells, below left. Cardio equipment include treadmills, bottom, or elliptical trainers. Martin Knowles photos
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RenoNation Peace Arch News, Tuesday, September 18, 2012