GarageGym | Design | xtremegear

GARAGE GYM

1.

Start

The garage gym has set the new standard in turning an old (and often unused) space into nothing short of a luxury sports club.

Let’s face it, sometimes the hardest part about working out is getting yourself out the door in the first place. The cumbersome gym gear and back-and-forth commute, to say nothing of hefty membership fees and shared spaces with perfect strangers, don’t exactly act as motivators. Imagine the luxurious convenience of being able to wake up in the morning and head to the garage at your leisure, with everything you need right where you left it, and a space all to yourself to get into shape the elite way–no go make it happen!

2.

Colour

Before you start building your gym, think about how you’ll decorate the walls. It’s easier to paint when your garage is empty than when it’s full of equipment. Color plays an important role in moods, so painting the walls can help you stay focused and motivated. It can also transform your space from a garage to a home gym.

3.

Lighting

Right now, your garage probably lacks lighting. This means you’ll be spending your workout in the dark, or at best, in the shadows. This is a problem because our bodies take signals from the amount of light surrounding us, so dimmed light signals to your body that it’s time for bed. Now you’re fighting against biology to stay motivated during your workout.

Now, you’re probably thinking, it’s a garage, I’ll just open the door. This works during the summer when days are longer. But it won’t work when winter comes, and it gets dark earlier, or it’s too cold to keep the garage door open.

You need to install lighting that mimics the sun, so choose bright overhead light. Skip the old school fluorescent lights and instead opt for LED lighting. These lights are flexible, cost-effective, long-lasting, and mimic daylight. Try to install your fixtures throughout your workout space, so you have an even wash of light.

If you have the freedom to do a more in-depth install, consider recessed and track lighting. Recessed lighting will give your home gym a luxury feel and can help turn your garage into a legitimate gym. Track lighting will give you the freedom to custom design your lighting. You can move the lights around and angle them as you organize the gym. This will ensure you’re equipment is always well lit.

4.

Heating

Depending on the size of your gym, you could use a portable option such as a fan or space heater. This should be plenty for smaller gyms. You should also consider installing insulation. This will help your garage to maintain the perfect temperature better. Don’t forget to insulate your garage door. This is commonly overlooked and one of the biggest weak points when it comes to regulating your garage temperature.

If you want to take your gym up a notch, you could install a forced-air or infrared heater. Both of these allow you to direct the heat exactly where you want it to go.

5.

Space

If you’re a cardio junkie, then plan to use 10 to 30 square feet for each piece of equipment. This is a lot of square footage, so most people either skip the cardio machine or choose one that they absolutely love. Here are some average dimensions to give you an idea of the required space.

Treadmill: 64 x 28 inches
Elliptical: 72 x 30 inches
Stationary Bike: 35-48 x 18-26 inches
Rowing Machine: about 72 inches long

For those that prefer to lift weights, plan on having 20 to 50 square feet. This will vary depending on if you use dumbbells and a weight bench or a single station home gym apparatus.