Have you had enough of going to the gym after work, having to battle through the traffic and rush to get on the equipment? If you have, it might be time to invest in a home gym.
The perfect place for a home gym is your old garage. These days, most people use their garages for junk that they’ve not got round to throwing away. It’s rare that anyone uses their garage for their car.
Having your own personal gym will stop you from spending money on classes you don’t go to and equipment you don’t use. You can tailor the space to exactly what you need to get the most out of sessions.
But before you get carried away with the idea of a home gym, there are a few things to consider. Take a look at our points to see whether you’re ready for this type of investment.
Do you have enough money?
A garage conversion can cost between £850-£1150 per square metre, and then you need to bear in mind the cost of equipment. Generally, you’ll need a mixture of equipment:
- Cardiovascular
- Strength
- Functional
- Conditioning
Only buy the pieces you know you’ll use. Expect to pay up to £2,000.
Top tip: Look on websites like Facebook selling groups, eBay and Gumtree where people that were overenthusiastic will list equipment they no longer use. You could pay half the cost for a nearly-new machine.
Will a home gym work for you?
Try not to get drawn in by the glamorous idea of having your own gym. Have a serious think about whether it will work for you. Ask yourself these simple questions:
- Am I motivated enough to train on my own?
- Do I meet friends at the gym to socialise?
- Will I miss going to classes?
If you don’t think you’re motivated enough to train by yourself, it might be better to turn your garage into something else. A ‘granny annexe’ is a popular idea in the age where older children are staying at home for longer and where people care for their older relatives at home.
Do you have a creative eye for design?
If you’re not clued up on interior design, it might be worth looking to the help of someone who is. You need to create a home gym that you’re happy to work out in and that has an atmosphere conducive to training.
What motivates you when you go to the gym? Is it music? Good lighting? Artwork? Think about all of these things and design a gym that is going to make you work to your maximum effort.
Have a think about whether a home gym is for you. If you’ve got the motivation and the budget to convert your garage into one, go for it. It could be the best decision you make for years!
Price
£850-£1150 per sq. metre
Price of equipment
Approx. £2,000
Construction time
1 week - 1 month
Depending on size and scope
Advantages and disadvantages
- No rush after work
- No wait for equipment
- Exercise on your own terms
- Could be expensive to buy all the equipment you need
- You may lack motivation
- No classes or trainers to help you