Bring the gym to you with a garage transformation!

So many people decide to get in shape as part of a New Year’s resolution, or even just on a whim throughout the year. Why limit yourself to that “whim” when you could just create a home gym in your garage?

There are tons of reasons that people don’t like going to the gym. The weather, the crowds, and even the perceived embarrassment of working out in public—these excuses keep people from getting the exercise that they want. With a home gym, that’s no more.

The first step: are you using the whole garage or just part of it?

Garages are notorious for being that place where things just end up.

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

Are you going to leave some storage space in your garage for those things? Perhaps you want to keep a workbench in there for projects. How about cars? Will you want them in the garage at all?

The goal here is to maximize your space. Wall storage like a vertical bike rack could be a great space saver. You could also add a slat wall where you can hang things to increase storage space without crowding the floor.

Don’t buy anything until you think about the pieces that you want and how they’ll fit into your new home gym. Make sure that you think about all the details because you don’t want to be moving this heavy equipment around a lot.

What about a wall mirror in your new space?

Mirrors are a big trend in gyms, as well as other sports and fitness facilities. They’re great for workouts, sports, yoga, and even ballet.

The second step: get the garage ready

This picture shared by BoxJunkies shows an in-garage gym. This person installed tons of conveniences, too.

Now it’s time to plan the renovation. Make sure that you split up the space and plan out each section and list what work needs to be done. Then, make a list of priorities and what needs to be done first.

Are you thinking about electrical outlets for equipment or a TV?

If so, you’ll want to make sure that you hire an electrician to do all of the electrical work.

Accidents happen all too often and all too easily. The experts will be there to help ensure that everything is running smoothly. There are several things that you can do on your own, but electrical work isn’t one of them.

You can paint, install storage, and even consider redoing the ceiling or building your own fitness equipment. These things are all DIY-friendly and safe for the skilled person to handle.

Perhaps your ceiling is just a frame of wooden beams right now. You could consider finishing it with a drop ceiling. You’ll want to make sure that you insulate the space so that you don’t end up with mice in the ceiling. This blog from BLACK+DECKER offers plenty of insight.

Flooring

An epoxy garage floor. Picture by AllGarageFloors.

The garage floor is probably already concrete, although it may or may not be in good repair. You might think it’s good enough for your equipment, and while it can handle the weight, it may not be the best choice aesthetically or for comfort.

For starters, concrete isn’t going to provide the impact resistance that you need. It could get cracked or scratched by the equipment and constant use.

Concrete also gets cold in the winter and that can make it hard to regulate temperatures in your garage home gym. You do have three other options available, though.

Epoxy or a polyuria coating is the first option.

These are waterproof and great for home gyms and other garage uses. They are also impact-resistant and solid, and they offer a smooth, sleek finish for the floor. The layering process offers premium protection and ensures that the floor lasts as long as possible.

Garages are prone to dampness and humidity. Therefore, you’ll want to consider the value of a waterproof floor because it can create a liveable, usable space that doesn’t smell musty or develop mold issues. You might also want to add a dehumidifier to the space to help with the moisture.

You can also choose to install rubber training mats.

These mats come in all shapes and sizes and offer a textured surface that also has a bit of give. This means it can support the equipment without breaking down, deaden sound when you drop weights or bump machines, and even protect your joints during floor exercises.

Looking for more inspiration? The Best Flooring Options for Your Home Gym from Men’s Health has what you need.

If you do decide to use carpet, you’ll need to be careful about what you choose.

Make sure that you stick with those that are tightly woven and that wear hard so that you don’t have an unstable floor or one that’s ruined in a matter of months because it wasn’t designed for gym equipment.

Carpet isn’t an ideal choice because it soils so easily and because it can deform over time. It also won’t keep the equipment steady and firmly on the ground, which can be dangerous.

Carpet isn’t waterproof, either, and the dampness in the garage could cause mold and mildew to build up inside the rug.

Sure, carpet might seem like a nice way to take the edge off cold floors, but you should consider a heater instead. That will provide a comfortable temperature and still allow you to choose flooring that’s safe and effective for working out.

Equipment is heavy and you need flooring that can stand up to the weight so that you can enjoy your home gym for years to come.

Aeration

You are going to need fresh air during your workout.

You’ll want at least one fan or other devices that can help improve the air quality, such as an air conditioner or heater, or even a dehumidifier to keep the moisture out of the space.

You will appreciate the dehumidifier in a damp garage. It can also help reduce how much you sweat. If you don’t want something that takes a lot of work to operate, consider this smaller garage ventilation system from Humidex. It will improve the air quality in your garage and reduce mold, giving you a great tool for a reasonable price.

When the winters get cold, a portable heater can do wonders to keep things temperate.

Insulation

If you want a comfortable space and equipment that lasts, you need to insulate the garage properly.

Insulation will keep the garage warmer (or cooler during the warm months) and keep noise to a minimum. It will help you keep things quiet in case you’re working out after hours or when people are working inside.

Check the outside and inside walls. Look for cracks and gaps that need to be filled. Any of these could let in drafts or pests. Consider fiberglass or polyurethane foam to protect against mice because they won’t chew on these specific materials.

Remember that you can’t just insulate the walls. If you do and the garage door isn't so well insulated, you’ll just be wasting energy still and you don’t want that.

Do you want to add a modern touch to your home curb appeal? This garage door is our exclusive Vog design, here shown in 9'x7', Black color, with a window layout named Left-side Harmony.

There are several types of garage door insulation to choose from. There are doors with no insulation as well as those that have R-12 and R-16 insulation.

The way that insulation quality is calculated is by using the R-value. When the R-value is higher, the insulation is more effective. For reference, roofs usually use R-40, while walls in a house will range from R-13 to R-21.

If you have insulated all the walls in the garage, then it’s time to insulate the garage door, too. That way, you can guarantee that the temperature stays comfortable, and you will not be heating the outside or wasting money on energy costs.

Speaking of energy efficiency, you can’t just install insulation by yourself and call it a day. You need good installation if you are going to get the best protection. That includes weatherstripping, gaskets, and other elements, as well. Your garage door should be energy efficient.

If your garage is attached or there’s a second story above it, you’ll want to add more insulation to help protect your house, too. This will prevent higher heating bills or heat loss in the house.

You can reduce your electricity and heating bills just by improving your garage door.

You will start by choosing the best weatherstripping that fills the spaces between the walls and the door. Remember that you’ll find different types of weatherstripping and that they all have applications and considerations to think about when you are searching for the right one.

You could also choose doors with the patented InterLok^TM joint, exclusive to Garaga, which puts weatherstripping between every single panel. That makes the garage door sealed against cold winds, pests, and more.

You’ll also want to think about window seals, floor seals, and bottom weatherstripping. Some people choose to install something like a Storm Shield threshold. This can help to prevent water from getting into the garage even if the floor is cracked or uneven. It also helps protect the door and prevent it from freezing to the ground by creating a protective rubber barrier between the two.

Windows

If you’re thinking that your garage could benefit from some natural light, that could be a great choice. Of course, you might not want to cut holes in your garage. You can always choose to upgrade to a garage door with windows.

You can find several garage doors window types that offer varying levels of privacy. There are also different styles and designs to add natural light so that everyone can’t see inside but you can see out. You can put windows on the top of the door, along the sides, or anywhere else you like.

Maybe you’ve got a nice garage door, but it doesn’t have windows?

You can add a lot of natural light by installing windows and we can help. It’s easy to change a few panels and create a whole new look, as you’ll see in this article about adding windows to an existing door.

How about a garage door upgrade?

Do you prefer the serene beauty of Traditional Style? This garage door is a Classic CC design, here shown in 9'x7', Ice White color, with 4 lite Orion windows.

Here at Soo Overhead Doors Inc, we’ve got tons of garage doors to fit your style and if you’re upgrading your space, you might as well get a new door too.

Whatever you want, check out our cool Design Centre and create the perfect look for your garage!

When you find what you like, let us know and we’ll email a free quote.

Can’t make up your mind? That’s okay, too! Contact us at 1-877-794-4223.

We will be happy to help you choose the best garage door for your needs, no matter what you have in mind.