The Ultimate Guide To Converting Your Garage Into A Home Gym

Whilst garages are mainly used as a storage space for all types of tools and equipment, it is quite common that these spaces are converted into a home gym. The home gym is also increasing in popularity with 30% of all exercise equipment being purchased for home gyms. This, partnered with the increasing price of a gym membership, shows us that the trend of the home gym is growing.

It may seem like an expensive way to get your fitness fix, but a garage gym conversion can be achieved on a budget (and save money in the long run). However, it does bring its own set of problems that need to be addressed from proper insulation, right through to the right garage door.

Benefits of having a Home Gym in your Garage

Having a gym in your garage provides some great benefits, such as:

• Reduces excuses for not going
• Never wait for the equipment you need to be free
• Post-workout showers in the comfort of your own home
• Workout at any time you want (not only when the gym is open)
• Choose your soundtrack – we all know gym music is questionable at best
• Save money on travelling to and from your local gym

So, How Do I Go About Creating My Garage Gym?

We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you achieve your perfect home gym:

Tidy Up, Clean & Plan

First of all, you’ll want to clean and remove all the junk from your garage. If the garage is too cluttered and messy, not only will you not want to spend time in your gym, you won’t have any room for your gym equipment.

You may also find it useful to make a plan of where you’re going to store things you want to keep and dedicate a good amount of space to your new gym.

Flooring & Equipment

Most garages come with a concrete garage floor, which doesn’t exactly make burpees anymore appealing. You’ll need to source some proper floor cushioning, such as gym tiles. They’re low maintenance and hard-wearing.

Once you have mapped your space out with flooring, you’ll want to start getting the equipment in. If you’re short on space, focus on getting the essential equipment that can be used in several ways so you can maximise your workout.

The best pieces of equipment for an overall workout are:

• Dumbbells/Barbells: You’ll want to pick up a range of dumbbells to develop your overall strength. If your budget is higher and you want to save space you can purchase some power-blocks. You’ll be able to adjust the weight with a turn of a button and save a lot of space.
• Bench: The simple gym bench is very diverse.  It allows you to work lots of different muscle groups with both your bodyweight and dumbbells.
• Squat/Power Rack: This is essential to any home gym and is an extremely versatile piece of gym equipment. Power racks will offer the best “bang for the buck” as compared to a standard Squat Stand.
• Rowing Machine: Rowing is a great total body exercise that can be used for both endurance and HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training). However, if you want to save money and still get cardio training into your routine – you can always go for a run.

Once you have the basic equipment, you may find that you have a little more space than expected and you can purchase more equipment as your garage gym conversion grows.

3. Insulation and Security

Keeping your gym equipment in good condition will be a high priority and this isn’t always possible if you do not have a suitable garage door, for both security and insulation.

• Side-hinged garage doors: If you’re worried about people being able to see into your garage, a side-hinged door is an ideal solution for more privacy as opening it will not put all your equipment on show. You will also be able to have half of the door open to circulate some air, without giving up your privacy.
• Sectional garage doors: these types of garage doors are rapidly growing in popularity and are a great choice for converting a garage into a gym. They offer space-saving benefits and offer a weather-resistant seal around the edges protecting your garage from strong winds and drafts.

Remember, whilst you want a garage door fit for purpose, you may want to revert to a garage, years down the line. Make sure that whatever garage door you choose is fit for a garage gym conversion and a conventional garage.

4. Entertainment

You may find it pretty boring to workout without any music.  So, you might want to consider getting a portable speaker or TV in your garage gym conversion. However, if you are bringing in more high-value items, you will want to make sure that you have a secure garage door.

This should also play into your decision to invest in the best garage door for your needs. You may even want to consider getting some extra locks.

Ready to turn your garage into a gym? It doesn’t have to be expensive but it’s better to ensure that you invest in a high-quality garage door.  This will ensure all your equipment and belonging remain dry, safe and in good condition.

For more information, or to speak to a member of our expert team, please get in touch.