Moving a gym into your new home garage puts you in charge of your fitness journey. It provides the convenience, accessibility, privacy and personalization you can’t get at a commercial gym. But what if your garage space is already at its limit? Fortunately, there are excellent space-saving home gym options that allow you to maximize the limited space of your small garage and create a personal workout haven. Here are 7 small garage gym ideas to move a gym into your new home.
1. Moving a Folding Power Rack into your Garage
Conventional power racks can be space-consuming, but folding power racks fold flat against the wall allowing for efficient use of limited space. These racks maintain traditional power racks’ functionality and safety features, including: pull-up bars, adjustable safety bars, and exercise attachments. They are user-friendly and easy to install, often featuring hinged or wall-mounted brackets.
Alternatively, folding squat racks focus primarily on supporting barbell squats with a simpler design. Both options offer space-saving benefits and can be chosen based on individual workout preferences and space constraints.
2. Add Adjustable Dumbbells
Dumbbells are essential to a well-equipped gym, but owning a full rack of dumbbells can be space-consuming and costly. Enter the selectorized adjustable dumbbell, a compact and space-saving alternative.
These dumbbells feature a selector mechanism that allows for quick weight changes, eliminating the need for multiple sets of dumbbells. The weight plates are stacked alongside the handle, and a dial or pin system adjusts the weight. Some sets can range from a few pounds to 50 or even 100 pounds per dumbbell. These adjustable dumbbells are ideal for small-space home gyms with their small size and storage options. Here’s an overview of the best adjustable dumbbell sets for home gyms.
3. Buy a Set of Resistance Bands
Resistance bands allow you to simulate a wide range of commercial gym exercises without the cost and space requirements. For example, you can use bands to do cable pulldowns, curls, side lateral raises and seated rows. By stacking one or more bands together, you can achieve a high level of resistance.
A set of resistance bands consists of bands with various tensions, enabling you to change the resistance level as you get stronger. They also come with a door or wall anchor, handles and ankle attachments. The low price, compactness and versatility of a set of bands make them a no-brainer for your small garage gym.
4. Get a Jump Rope for Cardio
Jump ropes offer a compact and affordable alternative to bulky cardio equipment like treadmills and ellipticals. They provide a great cardiovascular activity, increasing heart rate and burning calories while improving cardiovascular endurance, metabolism, and overall fitness. Jumping rope also engages various muscle groups, including the core, shoulders, arms, and lower body. It enhances coordination, motor skills, hand-eye coordination, footwork and agility.
5. Splurge for a Compact Rowing Machine
Rowing machines are a worthwhile investment for a small garage gym due to their space-saving capabilities. Foldable and upright storage rowers take up minimal space, making them ideal for compact areas. Rowing is a full-body, low-impact, high-intensity exercise that engages 80% of your muscles, providing both cardiovascular and strength benefits. It is suitable for all fitness levels and those with joint issues.
When selecting a rowing machine for your garage gym, opt for a foldable model that can be conveniently stored when not in use. Ensure it can be stored upright with a wall anchor kit for space optimization. Look for a sturdy frame made of steel or aluminum and check the weight capacity.
6. Move a Gym into your Home with a Quality Barbell
Investing in a quality Olympic barbell is essential for performing a variety of exercises. While the initial cost of a high-quality Olympic barbell may be higher, it is a cost-effective choice in the long run, as it can withstand rigorous use without frequent maintenance or replacement. Olympic barbells’ standardized dimensions allow compatibility with various weight plates, accommodating different strength and fitness goals.
Retailers often offer bar and weight packages at reasonable prices. Consider a wall-mounted plate holder with multiple pegs for convenient storage of weight plates.
7. Invest in a Foldable Bench
A versatile weight bench with flat, incline and decline functions offers a range of exercise options for your power rack. It enables exercises like bench presses, shoulder presses and dumbbell flyes. The foldable design allows for compact storage against a wall or in a corner.
Look for benches with multiple incline and decline positions to target muscles at different angles. Opt for a bench with reliable locking mechanisms, sturdy frames, and solid construction to ensure stability and safety during workouts.
Moving a Gym into your Home Piece by Piece.
Moving a gym into your garage starts with a few key pieces of equipment. These items can be stored compactly against the walls or in a corner of your gym when not in use, allowing you to utilize the space efficiently. Simply move your car out of the way, and you’ll have enough room to perform both resistance training and cardio exercises. Start with one of these garage gym ideas and expand gradually as your budget permits. Moving a gym into your garage can be an ongoing process as you add each piece of equipment and develop your routine. If you don’t have a suitable garage space you can turn your basement into a better space for your home gym.
With dedication, your home gym will become a motivating and fully functional workout space, supporting your fitness journey. Take action now and let your home gym become the foundation of your fitness success!
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Steve Theunissen, Guest Contributor
Steve Theunissen started out managing a studio and in 1987 he became the first personal fitness trainer in New Zealand. Over the past decade, he has built a freelance fitness writing career to share his fitness passion with the world.