Let’s face it. You’re busy. It’s not always possible to fit in the time to work out at the gym.
But let’s say you have a free half hour between dinner and your daughter’s volleyball game. No, you don’t have time to go to the gym. But you do have time to head to your garage and lift weights for 20 minutes. Or you could hop on the treadmill for 15 minutes and then stretch.
Even if it only takes you 10 minutes to drive to and from your gym, you could save yourself an hour a week if you work out just three times. Not to mention the time walking through the parking lot, putting your coat in a locker, and possibly waiting for machines to free up.
What’s more, your home gym never closes. It’s free. And you can put the TV on whatever channel you want.
Here’s how to make it happen.
Clear Out the Garage for a Gym
The beautiful thing about a home gym is that you can have one—and still park your car in your garage. Pretty much everything else, however, must either go or be put into storage along the walls.
That means you can’t store patio furniture in your garage in the winter—and there’s certainly no room for things like a snowmobile or Jet ski. Old bikes and no-longer-used kids gear also must go.
Think about the bare essentials you need—and dedicate one wall of your garage to storing them, either on hooks or in wall cabinets.
Get the Room Ready
Is your garage heated? If not, is your garage door insulated? How about your walls? Depending on where you live, this may be the place to start.
Next, think about the kind of equipment you’d like to have, if it requires power, and how many outlets you have.
Finally, how fancy do you want to get with your floors and walls? At a minimum, you’ll want to put in some rubber flooring tiles to protect both your equipment and your joints.
If you’re determined to go all out, you could drywall your walls and even install a wall of mirrors.
Home Gym Ideas
First, you have to determine your goals. Are you looking to create an environment like CrossFit, just lift weights, get some cardio, or even do some yoga?
Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:
• Hang a punching bag from the ceiling.
• Monkey and a pull-up bars don’t take up much space, but provide a great workout.
• Invest in equipment that doesn’t take up a lot of space like kettlebells, plyometric boxes, a jump rope, exercise balls, free weights, etc.
• Consider a rowing machine versus a treadmill. Not only does it work more muscles, but it takes up less space. Plus, you can always jog outside when the weather is nice.
• Make your home gym a place you love to be with extras like a TV or mini fridge for cool drinks.
Making Room for Your Home Project
Self storage could be just what you need to free up the room for a home gym. Things like camping gear, seasonal decorations, or even a snowmobile can go in your storage unit, leaving your garage free for exercise equipment.
At StorageMart, you’ll find self storage units that can be rented on a month-by-month basis, so you’re not locked into a long-term commitment. Not sure how much space you need? Check out our storage unit guide to find the ideal set-up for you. Contact us to rent a unit online today or for more information.