8 Tips and Tricks to Convert Your Garage into a Gym
Having an in-home gym comes with several benefits. You save on paying expensive memberships to public gyms and fitness boutiques. It also saves time and reduces the stress involved in driving to the gym each day. Moreover, a home gym is no more a luxury feature. It’s a must-have, considering the chaos and uncertainty we face today.
If you are conscious about your fitness levels and have enough garage space, converting it into a gym is the best thing you can do. In this post, we have straightforward tips that’ll help you set up an awesome garage gym.
1. Clear the Space
In most households, garages double up as storerooms for old furniture, holiday decorations, garden tools, sports equipment, and automotive oils and accessories. If you want to convert this busy space into a gym, you must get rid of these items and clear the space.
Decide on what you want to keep or donate and make sure the area is cleared of anything that’ll not add value to your new garage gym.
2. Plan a Layout
Now that you’ve got your garage ready for a gym setup, it’s time to decide how you will install the equipment and organize the space. Draw up a plan to determine where you want to install your equipment and gym accessories. Take into consideration what equipment you need to install on the wall. But leave space for expansion like accessories or rails.
Also, consider your workout style. Do you prefer cardio or weight training? Does your workout regimen incorporate more functional exercises? If that’s the case, it’s wise to leave enough space for exercises like jump squats, lunges, deadlifts, and others. Plan the space the way you’ll use it!
3. Don’t Miss Out on Safety
At-home workouts are different from gyms. Gyms have trainers who guide members through the exercises to achieve the best results while keeping safe from common workout injuries.
When setting up a garage gym, safety is a prime consideration to ensure an injury-free workout. Use the quick tips shared below to create a safe and effective workout environment in your gym.
A – Clear the Clutter
Clutter on the floor can be a sure-shot cause for people tripping and injuring themselves. Make sure you keep the space clear and organized to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
B – Install the Necessary Safety Accessories
When exercising in the garage alone, you run the risk of accidents without having anyone around to help. For instance, you may not be able to pull the weight back up, causing serious muscle strain.
Hence, it’s wise to install safety accessories that can protect you from such injuries. In the above case, for instance, installing spotter arms on the gym equipment will help.
C – Repair and Maintain Your Equipment
Fitness equipment needs regular upkeep else they can cause serious injuries. For instance, if controls and belts in treadmills aren’t functioning properly, it can interfere with your workout and cause discomfort in the future.
Make sure you hire a professional to get your equipment checked before use.
D – Install a Safety Gym Surfacing
Most garages have hard concrete surfaces. That needs to change if you are converting this space into a gym. Safety surfaces like rubber surfacing are ideal for garage gyms as they boost the effectiveness of workouts while keeping you safe from serious injuries.
Since it’s a springy and durable flooring material, rubber absorbs shock from falls and intensive gym workouts. Rubber floors are known to absorb shocks and possess noise-canceling properties.
Rubcorp specializes in rubber surfacing for home gyms. Get in touch with our team to understand how rubber floors can make your garage gym safe.
4. Insulate the Space
If you are converting your garage into a gym, you or your loved ones are likely to spend a considerable amount of time working out here. Hence, blocking out the air seeping into this space is critical. This will not just maintain a comfortable temperature regardless of the season but also considerably reduce your energy bills.
Adding insulation to garages is a simple DIY project that’ll cost you less than $200. The investment is completely worth it. Here’s a post from The Spruce that’ll offer you more information on the types of insulation you can consider for your garage gym.
5. Install Heating and Cooling Options
Without a doubt, this is a luxury feature for any garage gym. But if you can squeeze it into your budget, there’s nothing like having a mini-split system. It will keep the inside environment comfortable as you focus on your workout.
Also, consider the air circulation in this space. Whether you like it or not, the gym is a sweaty and smelly place. Tackle this early on by adding ceiling/wall-mounted/exhaust fans or installing windows, allowing the air to circulate.
6. Keep Enough Options for Storage
A typical garage in the US measures about 12 feet by 22 feet which is almost the size of a large bedroom. Hence, when turning this space into a gym, it’s important to optimize the limited square footage.
So, you cannot have the floor area cluttered with foam rollers, resistance bands, yoga mats, or dumbbells. Make sure you install cabinets, pegboards, and overhead racks for convenient and accessible storage.
7. Consider Your Lighting Options
Garages are dark spaces with no or very few windows. At best, they have a single light source by default which isn’t enough to light up your gym.
Consider adding a full-size window or glass wall garage door to light it up during the day. Also, install bright overhead lights that can illuminate the space and add an energetic vibe to it.
8. Invest in Equipment That You’ll Get the Most Out of
One of the toughest decisions when creating a home gym is choosing the right equipment. Gym equipment is quite expensive. Plus, there’s a sea of equipment available today. So, it’s hard to know where to begin.
Consider these questions to help you decide.
A – What do you enjoy?
The more you like a type of workout the higher are the chances of you doing it. Hence, it’s wise to choose equipment that aligns with your workout preferences. For instance, if you like low-impact exercises, invest in an elliptical trainer or a stationary bike.
On the other hand, if you loathe running, buying a treadmill because your friend bought it isn’t a wise decision. If you lose interest, the equipment will stand there unused. Stick to your fitness personality and invest in equipment that you’ll enjoy in the long term.
B – How big is your garage?
Having a treadmill or a weight bench as a part of your garage gym is amazing. But what if it crowds the area, leaving no space for your burpees or mountain climbers? Also, if your garage is low-ceiling, how are you planning to fit in that elliptical trainer you plan to buy?
Before investing in anything bigger than your barbell, look at the space your garage has to offer. This will save you a lot of heartburn in the future.
C – What’s your budget?
Have a clear budget for the equipment you’ll add to your garage gym. Gym equipment doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. Gears like resistance bands, exercise balls, and dumbbells are available for a budget of $50 and can help you achieve your fitness goals.
If you have a considerable budget, invest in cardio equipment like a treadmill or a stationary bike. However, the idea is to start small and add equipment when needed.
E – Is the equipment a quick fix?
Stay away from those swanky that ab gadgets that promise to focus only on ab muscles and get you six-packs within a few weeks. You are better off buying an exercise ball or a kettlebell set that’ll strengthen your core and be a part of your weight training schedule.
Summing Up
The garage-to-gym transformation may seem like an impossible task. However, the tips shared above and some expert advice from our team will help you convert this space into a fitness haven.
If you are planning to undertake this project, talk to Rubcorp’s team of professionals. We have been helping homeowners with various interior and exterior decor solutions. Get in touch with us through email or call us and we’ll be there for you!
