My Home Gym: From the Ground Up!

My home gym project is one of the most intense ones we have taken on to date! When we purchased this home, we always knew we wanted to do something like this with the open space in our yard. Truthfully, we put it off because we knew it was going to be a big, time consuming, expensive project. Cut to April 2020, and all of a sudden gyms are closing everywhere due to the pandemic. Our timeline was suddenly bumped up, by a LOT!

Our Plans

I am so incredibly lucky to have a father who has been in the construction industry basically his whole life. When it came to this project, I knew immediately I would call on him for his thoughts about how to go about this. Within a few meets, he completely took over the project 🤣, as I knew he would lol Within the next few months I was now going from a small scale basic home gym to a full on guest house!

Picking out paint colors, flooring, the slope of the roof I wanted, the kind of roof, how many windows in which sizes, doors, ceiling fixtures, siding type and color, decking, you name it, I was now doing it. 🤯 We also ended having to dig a whole 100ft + trench in our yard to run electric so that we could heat and cool, have lighting and Wifi out here but that’s a whole other story 🤦🏽‍♀️🤣. This had turned into a full on demo/remodel and I was apprehensive but so excited!

Our Design Choices

• Roof: We decided on a “Hip Roof” for shape and went with a similar roofing shingle to our actual home.
• Size: 16′ x 20′ for the entire space.
• Siding: We went with a Dutch Lap style of siding in a white color. Our home is brick, but I really wanted this to have a completely separate look.
• Windows: I wanted to let as much natural light in as possible, I decided on 4 large windows in the front and one on each side.
• Doors: To increase the natural light and overall esthetic, I decided classic French doors would be the perfect fit!
• Decking: We went with TREX decking. I love that it is weatherproof and comes in a variety of colors.
• Lighting: Interior, we did recessed lighting up top, and exterior we simply installed two outdoor sconces.

The Interior

After my father built the entire skeleton of this home gym, it was now our turn to take the lead in designing the decor for the inside. With the help of my Father-in Law, my husband got the moulding, and flooring installed! Things were all coming together 🙂

Interior Details

• Paint Colors: Statement Wall is in Behr Midnight Blue and other walls in Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter.
• Flooring: Vinyl plank flooring (super easy to install!) Found HERE.
• Wall Shelves: HERE
• Yoga Mat Rack: HERE
• Wall Mounted Speakers: HERE
• Wall Mirrors: Similar HERE
• Refrigerator: Similar HERE (my husband keeps energy drinks/water/cold towels in here.)
• Basket: Similar HERE (Got this so that the cold towel laundry can go here 😉)
• Garbage Can: Similar HERE
• Exercise Bike: Peloton
• Weight Bench/Foldable Rack : PRX
• Dumbells: BowFlex
• Resistance Bands: Rubber Banditz
• Gym Floor Mats: Local gym that was going out of business! These can be expensive for the good ones so I suggest Facebook Marketplace or other local reseller sites to get the best deals 🙂
• AC/Heating Unit: HERE We love this unit because it heats and cools. We did, however invest in a small floor unit because on the coldest days we needed the extra warmth. We love that one too, you can find it HERE.

Almost everything in the home gym is able to be controlled wirelessly using a simple plug adaptor. Turning on the heat or AC a little before heading out there has been a lifesaver! Find the air conditioner plug adaptor HERE.

Building something from the ground up during a pandemic was challenging. What should have been a month long job took nearly 4 months simply because places were closed, shipping was delayed and inventory was low, but we made it work! It is such a big relief knowing that my husband and I can work out safely just a few feet from our back door. We are saving about $100/month on gym memberships and gas. I have to say there is nothing like being able to workout and shower within 5 minutes without sitting in traffic on the way home 🤣.