There are no two ways about it; having a home gym is a great idea. You no longer have to dread trekking to the gym after a long day of work, or worry about all the exercise bikes being occupied; you can just enjoy your workout from the comfort of your home.
The good news is, if you have a garage, then you're already halfway there. With a few adjustments and additions, your garage-turned-gym could be just as good as the real thing.
We've created a list of the best items to help transform your garage into the ultimate home gym.
Why build a gym in your garage?
Here’s a few reasons from strength and conditioning store, Mirafit, as to why building a gym in your garage is a good idea:
Decent amount of space - Garages are primarily designed to house cars, so whether it’s a small or big garage, there should be a good amount of space to workout in.
Sturdy - Again, because garages are designed for cars they can handle major weight loads, so you don’t have to worry about how heavy a piece of equipment is, or if you accidentally drop something.
Temperature - It’s a lot cooler in a garage compared to in your home as there’s usually less or no windows, so it’s ideal for when you’re doing a hardcore workout. Then in the summer, you can open the door to let in a refreshing breeze.
Separation from home life - Just like having an office in your house is nice to separate work and ‘you-time’, so is having a gym in your garage. Also, it stops your equipment from being cluttered around your home.
What do you need for a garage gym?
Your garage gym can be as minimal or decked out as you like, according to your exercise preferences. The main changes you'll need to make will be to add a padded flooring and get your hands on some crucial equipment. You might also choose to alter the lighting and the heating of your garage for your comfort, as well as purchase a few storage solutions to maximise space.
Here’s a checklist of some key items for your garage gym:
• Protective flooring
• Barbell
• Weighted plates
• Bench
• Squat rack
• A piece of cardio equipment (such as an exercise bike, cross trainer or treadmill)
• Sound system
• Heater
Garage gym essentials
Best gym garage equipment
1. ComFy Mat Foam Exercise Mats
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These thick and soft foam mats will act as a comfortable surface for your exercises, be it yoga, Pilates or cardio. The mats come with adhesive sticks to attach firmly to your floor surface, so you don't have to worry about slipping during your workout.
2. SONGMICS Dumbbells Set
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What's more essential to your home gym than a dumbbell set? A dumbbell set with a rack. Including two x 1kg weights, two x 2kg weights and two x 3kg weights, this weight set is ideal for building and toning muscle. The storage stand will also help keep the weights tidy and out of the way when not in use.
3. BLACK 7' Olympic Bar
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Whether you're squatting, bench pressing, deadlifting or doing some hip thrusts, a barbell is a versatile and must-have piece of equipment for any home gym. This one from Fitness Superstore is an incredible price for a 20kg olympic bar and being in black means any scratches or marks will be undetectable.
4. JX FITNESS Squat Rack Multi-Function Barbell Rack
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This stable and sturdy multi-function squat frame includes five height level adjustments and is great for squats, weight-lifting, bench press, push-ups and more. The foldable design will also help you maximise garage space as and when you please.
5. FLYBIRD Adjustable Bench
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If you don't need a squat rack, then an adjustable bench may be ideal for you. It's perfect for doing seated upper body workouts and this one comes with a leather seat and a foam foot support at the bottom.
6. Coldshine 3 Pce Vinyl Kettlebell Weight Set
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No matter how much space you've got, kettlebells will get your heart pumping, and are excellent for toning arms, legs, back and abs.
7. MIrafit black rubber olympic bumper plates
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If you purchase an olympic bar then you'll probably be wanting some olympic plates to go with it. Just like the Fitness Superstore, Mirafit is a brilliant brand for good quality, home gym equipment and these olympic plates' rubber construction make them shock-absorbent in order to protect your floor and bar while training.
8. Trideer Exercise Ball
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Whether you're doing some light yoga or training abdominals, an exercise ball is a great addition to a home gym. This one is high density, easy to inflate and comes with a 12-month warranty. You can also choose from four wonderful colours, to add some brightness to your space.
9. Aerobic Exercise Adjustable up to 2 Levels Stepper Yoga
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A stepper will help ramp up your workouts and is great for fat burning, core stability, stomach toning and the improvement of overall cardiovascular health.
10. PROIRON Neoprene Dumbbell Home Exercise
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Add a splash of colour to your home gym with this bright dumbbell set. The weights are comfortable and easy to hold, have a non-slip surface and also come with a complimentary fitness guide. The stand will help keep things tidy and maximise floor space.
11. RDX Punch Bag Boxing Training
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Boost your upper body strength with a punching bag that comes fully equipped with gloves, bars, a jump rope, hand wraps and loads more.
Garage gym ideas and inspiration
Is it bad to work out in the garage?
Damp and mould are common issues in garages due to lack of ventilation, which if inhaled, can lead to breathing problems or aggravate pre-existing conditions such as asthma.
Before working out in your garage, make sure to check around thoroughly, and use your senses to detect any damp. You can use a dehumidifier to increase ventilation in the room, and open the garage door as often as possible. For mould - depending on how bad it is - you can either spot-remove it yourself or call in an expert for a proper evaluation.
We trawled Pinterest to find you the best garage gym ideas to help you get some inspiration for your own, from the colours, storage and ideas of what to do with your space.
Sound System
What gym is complete without a sound system? Listen to music, podcasts or guided meditation with the help of powerful speakers.
Best gym garage speakers
1. All-new Echo Dot (4th generation)
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A smart speaker is just what you need to spruce up your home gym experience. Using just your voice, you can stream songs, play audiobooks, ask about the weather and play the news - all while running on the treadmill.
2. Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
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With a powerful and deep bass, this UE speaker provides a room-filling sound that'll help keep you motivated for your workouts.
3. Marshall Emberton Portable Bluetooth Speaker
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Listen to music the way it was intended with the Marshall Emberton speaker. The rich and clear sound will penetrate even through the echo of your garage, and the simple interface is both time-saving and hassle-free.
Heating and lighting
Both the heating and lighting of your garage will impact the efficiency, and quality of your workouts. Whether it's too cold or too hot, too bright or too dark, your performance is likely to be adversely affected.
Best gym garage lighting and heating
1. Warmlite WL44002 Thermo Fan Heater
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If your garage space is relatively small, a space heater can make all the difference. With two heat settings to choose from, as well as an adjustable thermostat, you can get just the temperature you need to enjoy your workout.
2. LED Garage Light 150W
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With four adjustable LED panels, you can light up your workouts with this overhead light. Made from aluminium alloy, this light is temperature resistant and corrosion resistant, ideal for the garage, and is quick and easy to install.
3. SuperFOIL Garage Door Insulation Kit
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Fitting both automatic and manual doors, this insulation kit will reduce your bills, keeping your garage warm in the winter and cool in the summer for comfortable workouts all year round.
Storage
If you're transforming your garage into a gym, then you'll need to get rid of any clutter. Shelves and boxes are a great way to store things away and create all the space you need for your workouts.
Best gym garage storage units
1. 4 Bankers Box ProStore Plastic Storage Boxes With Lids
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Maximise your space with these sturdy, transparent storage boxes that are impact-resistant, dust and moisture-free.
2. Amazon Basics 4-Shelf Shelving Unit
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Need to store things away while maintaining quick and easy access? Shelves are the solution for you. This simple design goes in any garage, and holds up to 160kg per shelf.
3. Garage Shelving Units
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This single shelving unit is a great solution for smaller garage spaces and will help tidy things up in an instant. Each shelf can carry up to 175kg and is easy to assemble.
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