Finding the motivation to exercise at home can be tough – especially if you don’t have the space.
You skip, and a lamp comes crashing down. You do star jumps, and you whack your hand on the ceiling fan. You hold a plank, and the dog humps your leg.
But these things just don’t happen when you have your own garage gym.
Here we show you how to make a home gym and share some of our favourite home gym ideas to turn your garage into your very own personal workout space.
Clear Out and Clean Up
If you’re a human and you have things (hey, that’s you!), chances are some of those things have made their way to your garage to collect dust and cobwebs.
But those ski boots you “might use one day” and the stereo from your teen years that no longer works are only costing you space in your home.
To create a functional garage gym, you’ll have to part with some of the stuff you no longer need, and give the space a good scrub.
Declutter
Sort through the bits and bobs that have accumulated in your garage, placing them into three piles: keep, toss, and sell.
- Find a spot for the belongings you still use and/or need. This might be in the garden shed, the linen closet, or a self-storage unit.
- Chuck out any unusable or broken items.
- Donate or sell the things you don’t need but someone else could still use or enjoy.
Follow our tips to sell your stuff: Garage Sale vs. Selling Online (Pros, Cons And Tips)
Deep Clean
Once you’ve given your junk the old heave-ho, you’ll need to clean out any dust, dirt, and creepy crawlies lurking in your garage. The best way to ensure you don’t miss a spot is to work from the top of the room to the bottom.
Clean the Ceiling
- Pop on some safety goggles.
- Use a soft-bristled broom to remove cobwebs. If you can’t reach the ceiling, use a step ladder (held steady by a friend, of course).
- Mix some household cleaner and warm water in a bucket.
- Rinse a sponge floor mop in the water and gently mop the ceiling.
- Rinse the mop in the kind-of-soapy water and clean the ceiling just like you would the floors.
Clean the Walls
- Pop on some protective gloves.
- Wipe any dust and debris off the walls with a soft-bristled brush.
- Combine sugar soap with warm water in a bucket (refer to the instructions on the bottle for measurements).
- Dampen a cleaning rag in the water and wipe the walls from top to bottom.
Clean the Floor
- Put your safety goggles back on.
- Sweep and vacuum.
- Mop using warm water and household cleaner.
- Use a firm-bristled broom to scrub any stubborn marks.
- For oil spills and similar stains, apply a hydrogen peroxide and flour paste overnight. Remove with a scraper tool the next day.
Read our article How To Clean Your Garage for a more thorough guide to cleaning your garage.
Make Restorations
Now things are looking a little tidier, it’s time to consider any renovations you’ll need to make depending on how you’ll use the space.
For instance, if you plan to use your garage gym to brush up on your boxing skills while listening to loud music, you might want to think about soundproofing with insulation to avoid a passive-aggressive note from your neighbours.
If you plan to use the space to do weight training, you might like to install a mirror wall to keep an eye on your form (and your booty gains – let’s be honest).
Some smaller upgrades you may be able to DIY include:
- Painting the walls
- Upgrading the flooring
- Removing any shelving you no longer need
- Installing shelves or racks for holding equipment
- Mounting a TV screen on the wall.
Other projects might require you to call in the pros, such as installing:
- Lighting
- Power outlets
- Windows
- Air-conditioning
- Ceiling fans
- Insulation.
Garage Gym Ideas
Enough about the logistics – let’s get stuck into the fun stuff.
The best thing about setting up a garage gym is you can customise the equipment and the décor to suit you.
But if you’re stuck for ideas, a little inspiration doesn’t go astray.
Organised All-Rounder
As far as making the most of a small space goes, this garage gym absolutely nails it. This simple setup makes use of every surface in the garage with roof racks, wall racks, shelving, and lockers to keep the floor clear and equipment organised. If you’re rocking a smaller garage, this arrangement is worth remembering.
Minimalist Mat Space
If yoga, pilates, and resistance training are your jam, this relaxing garage gym could be right up your alley. All you need is a nice open space for your mat and some cube storage for your dumbbells and other equipment.
Retro and Rustic
If you want your garage gym to be the envy of all your #fitspo friends, there’s nothing quite like pendant lighting and timber wall panels to get a luxe look.
Can’t stop at the garage? We’ve got renovation hacks for the whole house in this article. Otherwise, see how to turn your garage into a party room here.
Putting all the junk in your garage into a storage unit is the first step to turning it into a home gym. Discover our affordable, flexible options here and book today.
