Building a garage gym is a great option if you're looking to get in shape, build muscle, or make your home gym more functional and efficient. A garage gym can be whatever size you want and have all the equipment you need to keep fit. But like any DIY project, some things go into ensuring your new space is safe for working out. Following these tips will help ensure that your garage gym is built right and safe for use:
Choose a Safe Location
Before you start building your gym, choosing a safe location is important.
- Ensure you have enough space for all your equipment and a way to store it when not in use. This will help keep things organized and make it easier on yourself later when trying to find something specific without clearing out all the clutter first.
- Avoid placing the gym in an area where people are likely to be disturbed by the noise or messiness of setting up and taking down equipment every time they pass by (i.e., near a kitchen). Also, avoid areas with too much foot traffic (you don't want people tripping over your weights!). Try not to place the garage gym right next door either--if possible, move over just one spot away so that there aren't any distractions while working out--such as loud conversations coming from next-door neighbors who might live above/below them!
Design for Accessibility
Your garage gym should be designed for accessibility, not just to make it easier for you but also so that anyone who visits can work out there. This means planning your equipment and space layout to accommodate different body types and abilities. For example, if someone has mobility issues or is recovering from an injury, they'll need a bench press with an adjustable seat height to get into position without straining their back or shoulders too much. If someone else has shorter arms than normal (or even longer ones), having adjustable handles on their dumbbells will help them avoid unnecessary strain on their joints when performing exercises such as biceps curls or triceps extensions--and again, this goes double if there's any chance they could have any joint problems down the line!
Don't Forget to Ventilate
Ventilation is an important part of any garage gym. It's not just about keeping the air clean and reducing the risk of mold but also about safety. If you don't have enough ventilation in your garage gym, you'll end up breathing in toxic fumes from chemicals like paint and glue and exhaust from equipment like power tools or vehicles.
Ventilation can be achieved by opening windows or doors (if your home has them) and installing fans to move air around. If this isn't possible for some reason--if the door is too heavy or something else--then make sure there's at least one window that opens wide enough for adequate flow.
Try to find ways to keep one door open while working out; this will help with airflow throughout the room while still keeping others safe from injury if something falls onto them!
Put It Together Right
- Use a level.
- Get the right tools for the job.
- Know how to use them, and be prepared for the unexpected. For example, if you're using a tape measure and find out that something isn't level or straight, don't try to force it into place with brute strength; instead, try another method (like shims) or leave it alone until later--you may have missed something important in your measurements!
- Make sure there's enough space for what you want to build out of materials that will fit your needs without moving around too much while working on something else later when things start coming together like Legos."
Protect Your Garage Gym from the Elements
- Weatherproofing: Your garage gym should be able to withstand the elements. If you live in a cold or snowy climate, it's important to ensure your equipment is protected from snow build-up and moisture.
- Insulation: The same goes for insulation if you live in an area where it gets hot during certain times of the year--you'll want to ensure that your equipment is safe from excessive heat.
- Soundproofing: Since most garages aren't soundproofed by default, this can be tricky if you use loud machines like treadmills or ellipticals (or even just having people talk while working out). You can add extra insulation between walls and floors to help reduce noise transfer between rooms; however, this may not always work depending on the layout of your garage. It's also possible that some noise will travel through windows if they're open during workouts!
- Air Quality: Poor air quality can cause serious health issues over time, so having good ventilation is key! Ensure there are no vents blowing directly onto cardio machines (this includes TVs) so dust doesn't get sucked in while people run/bike/etc., but don't forget about other areas like weight benches either!
Consider Adding a Floor Mat
Adding a floor mat to your garage gym is a great investment. It can protect your floor from damage, help you stay safe, and make working out more comfortable. The best part? A mat can be used for other purposes too!
If you're looking for extra protection for your garage gym flooring, consider getting a heavy-duty rubber mat. It's perfect for protecting against spills or impact damage.
Get Some Good Gear, and You're Set!
As you build your garage gym, remember that quality equipment is important. You don't need much equipment to get started, but it's worth investing in some good stuff that will last for years and help keep you motivated.
- Good barbells and dumbbells: A set of Olympic bars and plates is an absolute must-have; they'll last forever if cared for properly (and if not abused). For smaller spaces like garages, consider bumpers or other specialty rubberized weights instead of traditional metal ones because they take up less space--you can also buy these in various colors so they look cool!
- Kettlebells: These are great for upper body workouts like swings, cleans, snatches, and presses because they work for multiple muscle groups at once (like the shoulders) without putting too much strain on any one area like dumbbells do when used incorrectly with heavy loads over time.
There are lots of ways that you can build a great garage gym.
There are lots of ways that you can build a great garage gym. For example, if you have a friend who is good with woodworking and building things, they can help you make your gym. Or you could take some classes at the community college or university where they teach people how to build stuff like this. If neither of those options works out, then it may be time for plan B: buying all the equipment online!
Conclusion
These tips have given you some ideas for how to build a great garage gym. Most importantly, you have fun with it and ensure the space suits your needs. If you want more tips on building or outfitting your gym, check out our other articles here!