THE RUNNER BEANS

Running

Active Travel

Nutrition

Family

Our Home Gym Transformation

May 24, 2020 | Cross Training, Lifestyle | 18 comments

creating a home gym

Sales of home workout equipment has skyrocketed since lockdown started, with gyms set to be one of the last things to open up. People are utilising spare rooms, sitting rooms, home offices, garages and sheds (not to mention gardens, balconies and patios) to workout.

When we were looking at houses in 2018, I wanted somewhere that we could put a treadmill since Tom didn’t want it in the house. A couple of houses had garages, one or two even had beautiful offices built in their gardens. The house we eventually bought had a big shed. Not exactly ideal but good enough. It was a bit of a lean-to before my step-dad insulated and lined it to make it a functioning ‘gym’.

Our Home Gym Transformation

creating a home gym

Our Home Gym Transformation

I’ve been sharing my very orange treadmill shots on instagram for a while. And whilst the shed did the job it wasn’t very aesthetically pleasing and it was a bit of a mess. We were using it for storage as well as our treadmill and new Peloton bike. And had grand plans to paint it, lay a new floor and hang a mirror, but we just kept putting it off. We needed an oil based primer before painting the emulsion. And we had been googling flooring but hadn’t quite pulled the plug yet.

So when GarageFlex got in touch via Instagram suggesting their Flexipanel walls to smarten up the gym, make it look a lot more professional and generally tidy it up, I jumped at their offer*. The flexipanel allows you to clip in shelves, picture hooks, baskets and bike racks directly to the wall without the need for nails which sounded perfect in terms of flexibility and to maximise space.

It took Seve from GarageFlex about three days to fit out our shed, with floor to ceiling panelling, flooring and an inside handle and lock on the door.

Before: 

treadmill

Our Home Gym Transformation

After: 

peloton bike

creating a home gym

Obviously aside from the aesthetics, which I am obsessed with, I love the storage options this has given us without losing floor space. I don’t think we’ll keep the bike on that side wall. We want to utilise the space in that area for floor workouts. And we’re getting a mirror on the back wall to help with form (and for gym selfies, let’s be honest!). I want to hang up some old race bibs and  medals in there too. I think it will help with motivation when it gets dark and cold, and workout motivation wanes.

creating a home gym with Garage Flex

Garage Flex

home gym conversion with GarageFlex

Also on our shopping list is a gym bench and set of weights, plus some new lights for darker days. I bought this cute doormat and some white towels to make it feel even more like a boutique gym.

We honestly love working out in our new space. Yesterday I ran on the treadmill and Tom followed a Peloton class on the bike. Before we both did a bodyweight strength workout. Having this gorgeous gym (plus the new Peloton) has been huge motivation right now. I literally look forward to jumping on the bike for a 20-30 minute workout in the gym most evenings.

Have you got a home gym or somewhere at home you’d like to convert into a gym? For those doing your workouts at home, what is your most utilised equipment? 

*GarageFlex gifted the labour, panelling, storage and flooring in exchange for posts & photos of the space.

18 Comments

  1. Ben Crosby

    This looks fantastic! We have a Peloton, which we adore, that currently lives in our guest room. It is not ideal as the quest room is also our home office. We hope that the next house we have has space for a garage gym. I would like to also add a squat rack to our home gym setup.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Bet that Home office and Peloton are getting more use than usual right now! A squat rack would be a great addition!

      Reply
  2. Amanda

    I think it looks terrific. It’s amazing what pleasing aesthetics can do for motivation!

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Doesn’t it. I literally look forward to my workout in there every evening, I love it!

      Reply
  3. Maria @ Maria Runs

    I love the shelf for your trainers, and the basket for mats too.
    I have space for a mat in my office, but as I just do a bit of yoga and then run outside I don’t have the need for a big space. The storage is always needed though!

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Storage is definitely always needed in our house too!

      Reply
  4. Linda

    I absolutely love this. you have giving me so many ideas. I think after this pandemic its the way forward if you have the space…

    Reply
    • charlotte

      I agree – I think we’ll rejoin our local pool when that reopens but unlikely to rejoin a gym again!

      Reply
  5. Leanne

    Can I ask the size of the shed as I would like to do so thing similar. it looks great

    Reply
    • charlotte

      Our gym is 187 inches x 114 inches – don’t ask why Tom measured it in inches when he’s done everything else in cm/m??!

      Reply
    • charlotte

      I *think* it’s around 9ft x 15ft but that is a bit of a guess!!

      Reply
  6. Katie

    This looks so good! And I love how you’ve accessorised it especially the white towels – it’s the little things! ?

    Reply
    • charlotte

      I know, I love those. Just bought in bulk from John Lewis but they feel so decadent!

      Reply
  7. Cari

    That looks wonderful, like a whole new space. Was it already climate controlled, or that’s part of what they do with their work? Having a pretty place to work out, whether it be gym, run route or whatever really does make the difference.

    Reply
    • charlotte

      It’s not climate controlled, you could put your own air con or fan in as we plan to do. The positioning in our garden means that it never gets too hot (its in the shade all day) but I still definitely build up a sweat in there!

      Reply
      • Cari

        Oh sorry, climate controlled may mean different things on either side of the ocean. What I mean is that it’s protected against dampness. So you can store your shoes, machines there without damp

        Reply
  8. Rebecca

    This looks amazing! What a transformation. I’ve never thought of using a shed as a gym but actually can imagine it working quite well.

    Reply
  9. Garageflex

    Wow – we have loved reading all these fantastic comments! We were delighted to help Charlie convert her shed into such a lovely space to exercise in.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *