Repurposing your Garage as a Home Gym

When the weather is freezing cold, your car is covered in snow, and the roads are treacherous, the last thing you want to do is get bundled up to go to the gym for your workout.

This is why transforming your garage into a home gym is such a genius idea! The extent of your trip to the gym will simply involve putting on your workout clothes and walking to the garage. Sounds a lot simpler, right?

Getting started: make a plan

First, you will want to decide which part of your garage will work best for your gym area. This can be a bit complicated if your garage serves as a catch-all for all of the things you don't know what to do with.

Install an elliptical trainer in your garage? What a great idea!

Decide how much space you can realistically dedicate to your new home gym. Will there be a vehicle parked in the garage? Do you need to keep your lawnmower or other equipment in the garage?

You can maximize the available space by installing shelves or other wall storage options. A vertical bike rack is a great option!

● Determine what your workout goals are and then decide which fitness equipment will work in the space that you have available.

● Take measurements to make sure you're your chosen fitness equipment will fit.

● Create a map of how it will be arranged.

● Add a mirror to make your space seem larger.

Not only do mirrors make rooms look larger than they actually are, but they are also great for ensuring you are using proper form during your yoga workouts or strength training routine.

Prepare the garage

This picture shared by BoxJunkies shows an in-garage gym. The owner decided to install a TV and other conveniences.

Is your garage ready to be turned into a home gym? Are there any repairs that need to be done first? You might consider adding a fresh coat of paint and repairing any cracks in the walls. Complete any needed renovations.

What electrical needs will you have?

If you prefer to have a TV to watch during your workout, you'll want to make sure there is an outlet for you to plug it in. If there isn't, you will need to add one.

We advise hiring an electrician for this type of work. It requires an expert, especially for safety reasons. Plus, you want it done right!

Get all of your DIY jobs out of the way. You may wish to install new storage units or even build some of your own equipment.

Don't forget your ceiling! Is it properly insulated? You can easily add a drop ceiling to make it appear more finished.

There are even storage units available for the ceilings! This blog by BLACK+DECKER explains how to install such units securely.

Flooring needs

Is your current floor acceptable for a home gym?

An epoxy garage floor. Picture by AllGarageFloors.

Garage floors are built to be sturdy because they sustain a lot of weight from vehicles. But a concrete floor isn't the best floor for a home gym.

Concrete is susceptible to cracking, scratches, and damage. It's also quite cold, which can make it uncomfortable in the winter months. Keeping the temperature where you want it can be a challenge.

Here are a few options for your home gym floor:

1. Epoxy or polyurea coating

Epoxy and polyurea coatings are waterproof options, which makes them a great option for a home gym. They are also impact-resistant! Plus, it makes the floor more visually appealing.

Since garages are susceptible to humidity, it's also prone to mold growth. Installing a waterproof floor is highly recommended. It's a great idea to keep a dehumidifier in the room to keep the humidity level under control to prevent mold growth.

2. Floor mat

Another great option is to install a rubber training mat. These are perfect for home gyms and help make the space safer. A textured rubber mat will stick to the floor and reduces the risk of falls and injuries. It also muffles the sound in the room!

A rubber training mat makes it more convenient and comfortable to complete floor exercises. You want to do everything that you can to make your home gym a place that you will look forward to visiting.

Need more floor mat ideas? The Best Flooring Options for Your Home Gym by Men's Health offers a variety of recommendations.

3. Carpet

Carpet isn't the best option for a home gym, but if you have your heart set on it, there are a few things to look for when choosing a rug. Look for a rug that is tightly woven so that it can handle the wear. Plus, your equipment will hold in place better.

It's important to note that a carpet can become easily soiled. It's not the safest option available and you might regret choosing to use carpet in the long run.

Rugs aren't waterproof either. Since garages are prone to moisture, this is not a good combination for carpets. You don't want mold to begin to grow.

Instead of installing carpet, just add a heater! It will help keep your space warm and lower the humidity in the room.

Equipment can weigh a ton. You need to have solid flooring if you don't want to break it after only a month.

Ventilation

When you're working out indoors, it's important to have fresh air to fill your lungs. It isn't healthy to breathe in moldy air. Make sure to choose at least one device that will improve the air quality. For example, you might choose to add an air purifier, air conditioner, heater, or dehumidifier.

In fact, a dehumidifier is essential in a gym that's located in your home garage. Your own sweat will add humidity to an already humid room. You can also check out this garage ventilation system from Humidex. It's a small monitor, but it will make big improvements in the air quality. It helps reduce mold and is impact resistant. What a great option!

In areas that experience cold winters, a portable heater will be essential. These come in a variety of sizes. Choose one that will work well with the space you are using as a home gym.

Insulation

Insulating your garage will improve the space in a variety of ways, including making it a healthy environment as well as making your fitness equipment last longer.

Not only does insulation keep heat in the garage and help keep the cold air out, but it also helps reduce the amount of noise that can escape. No more worries about waking up the family when you work out after bedtime!

Inspect the interior and exterior walls. Take a visual inspection of the walls to check for cracks or even for mice. Cracks can allow cold air to seep into the garage. Nobody wants a mice-infested home gym, so fill the walls with polyurethane foam or fiberglass insulation to keep them from building their own homes within your walls.

Even with the best-insulated garage walls, if the garage door itself is not insulated, it will all be in vain. When the garage door isn't so well insulated, you are creating a large area where cold air can leak into the space.

Do you like the modern look of this garage door? This is the Vog design, 9'x7', Black, with window layout: Left-side Harmony.

You have a choice between getting an insulated garage door or one that is not insulated. There are various types of insulated garage doors available as well, all ranging in how well insulated they are.

The R-value determines how insulated a product is. The higher the value, the more insulation it provides. Most garages vary anywhere from no insulation to an R-16 R-value. Homes often range from R-13 to R-21.

Even if your walls are insulated, it's important to make sure the garage door itself is insulated. If it's not, you are bound to be spending more on heat bills for your home.

Proper installation is just as important as the type of insulation. You can check the garage doors to ensure they have insulating features like gaskets and weatherstripping.

However, it's essential that the garage door is installed properly to ensure that these features are working as they are supposed to. We know you want a garage door that is energy efficient!

Some garages have a living area above on the second floor. If this is the case, the fully insulated garage will help make the living area more comfortable and the temperature stable.

Did you know that you can reduce your electricity and heating bills just by making sure your garage door is in good shape and weathertight? Weatherstripping is very important on a garage door.

The weatherstripping is what seals the gap between the door and the flooring or the walls. Without it, you will have excessive air leakage and infiltration. There are different types of weatherstripping, each with its own features and benefits.

Garaga doors offer exclusive weatherstripping that features an InterLok ^TM joint. This type of seal makes the door completely sealed against cold winds, not to mention it helps keep pests out.

Another option is to add a Storm Shield threshold. This helps seal the gap between the floor and the garage door. It is especially useful for uneven floors or floors with cracks. It will prevent water infiltration. It can also help prevent the door from freezing to the floor during the cold winter months.

Windows

Windows help brighten up a garage and allow natural light into the space. Even if your current garage doesn't have windows, you can add windows to the garage door itself.

There are many different types of windows offered, and you can choose which style works best with your own privacy and style preferences. These garage door windows can be installed on the top, bottom, or even on the sides of the garage door.

If your garage door does not have windows, but you would like to add more natural light into the space, It's possible!

Our installers can install windows simply by changing certain panels on your garage door. Take a look at this article about adding windows to an existing garage door for more information.

Is it time to replace the entire garage door?

Here at Elite Door of New England, we can make recommendations for garage doors that will meet your own needs and preferences.

The garage doors come in many styles and colors and you will be sure to find something that suits you. We recommend taking a look at our Design Centre tool to create the perfect garage door for your home.

Do you prefer the timeless appeal of the Traditional Style? This garage door is perfect for you! It is a Classic CC design, 9'x7', in Ice White color, with 4 lite Orion windows.

Once you've settled on your choice, feel free to ask for a free quote by email.

While some people prefer to have unlimited choices, for many other, too many choices can simply make it hard to choose. This is where we can help!

Contact us at 603-833-7135.

We will help you narrow down your choices so that you can choose the perfect garage door that you will be happy with for years to come. Our professionals are more than happy to help you find the perfect garage door for your home.