The COVID-19 pandemic offered us challenging times, yet the health and safety of our families remained of the utmost importance.
As health clubs and fitness centers closed or were operating at a limited capacity, it changed the way we think about investing in a home gym and people started finding rooms in their home for their gym equipment. Here are 13 reasons you should have a dedicated workout space in your garage.
1. Convenience
Having a home gym is much more convenient. If you commute to work and back, why spend more time in the car driving to and from the gym? Those minutes of travel time or looking for a parking spot add up over the course of a month.
Maybe you live in a rural area and just don’t have a fitness club nearby.
At home, there’s no commute time or parking issues. Spend more time exercising and less time sitting!
2. Virtual workouts
In a previous article, we shared how Lisa Pineda (Garage Living client) created a home gym workout space in her garage. She created a series of garage gym workouts. See an example below.
There are more resources for working out at home than ever before:
- instructional exercise videos on YouTube
- virtual workout classes via Zoom
- websites with workout tips, exercise routines, and nutritional advice from fitness pros
- fitness and activity tracking apps for your phone and watch, to keep you motivated
3. Home gyms are healthier
The local gym or community center can be a liability to your health. A recent headline from the Washington Post caught our attention – Your gym is teeming with invisible members: Germs.
The article says that “studies have found that the surfaces of treadmills, weight machines, and other typical equipment are teeming with bacteria and other infectious germs.”
Numerous studies have shown that most public gyms have poor hygiene standards. Exercise equipment, water fountains, pools, showers, and locker rooms are just a few of the things in your local gym that are loaded with germs.
During a pandemic, it’s probably not a good idea to stand near anyone who is on a treadmill. Most gyms do a good job to maintain their air quality but nothing is safer than your own bubble.
4. Improve your mental and physical health
Maybe you’re already adjusting to working from home full-time, taking on responsibilities such as family obligations, running a household, and child care. That’s a lot of added stress. Just dealing with day-to-day life has been trying for everyone.
Having a home gym is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, lose weight, build muscle, and boost your immune system.
5. Exclusive membership
There are no expensive gym memberships with a garage gym. Say goodbye to expensive memberships and renewal fees. Use that money to invest in the exercise equipment that is right for you.
Fitness clubs do have their place. Some people join for the social aspect but if you prefer the privacy of your own home, then a garage gym is right for you.
6. Your whole family can workout together
From the social benefits to the physical health benefits, sharing a workout makes the hard work more enjoyable.
7. No line ups
It’s leg day. You’re at the gym and all of the leg press machines are being used. You consider asking someone if you can ‘work in’ a set but nobody is lifting the same weight as you. So you wait until a machine becomes free.
In your home gym there are:
- no line ups for machines
- no sign-up sheets
- no schedules to work around
You’ll experience fewer hassles and get through your workouts in less time.
8. Your garage is a great place for a home gym
Now that every spare room in your home has become an office, hobby room, children's play place, or study room, the garage is a brilliant place to create a home gym.
A dedicated workout space is practical and requires no set up such as moving furniture out of the way. If you have a large enough garage, you may be able to work out and still park your vehicles comfortably.
9. You may actually go to the gym, now
A survey of 5,313 American gym members by Statistic Brain Research Institute found that:
- 63% of memberships go completely unused
- 82% of gym members go to the gym less than 1 time per week
- 22% completely stop going 6 months into their membership
There are pretty good odds you will use your own gym more often.
10. No gym rats
If you’ve ever gone to the gym regularly you’re familiar with the gym rats. Some like to grunt loudly while others scream out so you know they are lifting an insane amount of weight.
You might find it amusing at first but this routine grows old quickly. Another favorite gym user is the sweaty monster that never wipes down the equipment after using it.
With your own gym, you make the rules.
If you are that person – the beloved gym rat – everyone will be happy you chose to build a home garage gym instead!
11. Your garage is versatile
Your garage can be so much more than just an indoor parking space. It can be used to store sporting equipment, garbage, recycling, yard tools, bikes, spare tires, etc. Surprisingly, many people use the garage to store empty boxes and useless clutter.
With expert planning and great design, your garage can become a multi-purpose space – a workshop, fitness room, or even a home classroom.
12. Customization
Whether you want to use the space for lifting free weights, cardio machines, kettlebells, or yoga, you can customize the space for your fitness regimen. Setting up a garage gym is easier than you might think.
The problem with many garage gyms is that they look terrible. The drywall and floors are usually unfinished. The storage space is inadequate or nonexistent.
Refinishing the entire garage properly, with a new floor, slatwall storage, and cabinetry can take a garage from mediocre to amazing!
Long after the pandemic is over, a garage gym can be a valuable extension of your home’s living space and enjoyed for years to come.
13. You’re the boss
You can set your own hours of operation. It’s your home gym so you can use it 24/7, whenever you want. You’ll love the convenience.
Contact us to learn more
Your garage is capable of being one of the most versatile spaces in the home. The key to unlocking its full potential is to have it designed with your lifestyle in mind.
Garage Living can help you transform your garage into a home gym space that is designed for your needs. Request a free in-home or virtual design consultation today. There’s a whole lot more living in your garage to discover.
Please share this post if you found it useful.
See also:
Share this post
