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Garage gym project

54 replies

BoffinMum · 28/11/2015 23:41

DS (14) has chronic depression, which has been pretty bad over the last two years (and the subject of some epic threads on here!) Anyway one of the things the consultant particularly recommended last time was upping his exercise as much as possible. So we had a family confab and we decided that turning the garage into a home gym would mean we could really do this, train alongside him, and so on. Now our budget for this is tiny so we can't afford for someone professional to swoop in and do all the sensible things, like insulated and board it, plaster it, put down fancy flooring (although I think we can stretch to interlocking foam squares), decent heating, and so on. However as we live in a fairly mild area climate-wise I think this will be OK and we can probably work around it. I am interested in any tips people have about how to do all this, in terms of the decorating, styling and equipping of the space. (I would like it to look like a branch of Soul Cycle but obviously it will probably have more of an Argos chic).

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Wolfiefan · 28/11/2015 23:48

Great idea. Are you thinking cardio machines etc? What about second hand? I know my DM got rid of her bike as it became a place to drape washing!
Perhaps make a list of essentials. You can always add to it in future and upgrade. Eg think about music etc in future. Or TV for video.

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Justyou · 28/11/2015 23:51

We have the foam squares and they are great. We have old mirror wardrobe doors along 1 wall.
Things like an I pod dock for gym music and a clock on the wall so don't need to stop to keep checking time.

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Justyou · 28/11/2015 23:54

A hook in the roof is great for hanging a stress relieving punchbag

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MarkRuffaloCrumble · 29/11/2015 00:01

I started to make my garage into a gym for DP (before it got so cold and he gave up using it!)

I wanted to make it a bit less bleak but neon signs were hundreds of pounds so I made this with a string of fairy lights and some wooden letters from Hobbycraft (about £4 each)

I drilled holes into the backs and poked the lights through (my neighbour loved me as he was having a BBQ while I was out in the garden drilling 120 holes!)

I haven't managed to get it up on the wall yet though.

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Cassimin · 29/11/2015 00:05

Try gumtree for second hand equipment.

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CMOTDibbler · 29/11/2015 13:23

I'd channel the industrial look and make it like a crossfit box. Then you could take that and get ropes, a big tyre etc to do more freeform strength work.

If you are going to have a static bike (we have a turbo trainer, so a normal bike goes on it), then a big fan is very useful as you get sooo hot even in the depths of winter

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sparechange · 29/11/2015 13:34

Have a look on eBay for equipment. Gyms replace their equipment quite regularly, and there are some eBay shops that sell on the old reconditioned stuff.
A spin bike would be inexpensive and a great cardio machine
Plus a yoga mat, Swiss ball, and some hand weights (2,4,6,8 and 10kg will do the whole family)
You can also get a knock-off TRX kit on eBay, and there are loads of YouTube videos on TRX workouts, as well as circuits and HIIT circuits which don't need anything more than a few pieces of equiment

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BoffinMum · 29/11/2015 14:58

That fairy light thing is just amazing. I will look into doing that. Very impressive.

The second hand equipment on Ebay is the same price as new from Argos, so that's not much of a saving really. I think the price of this stuff must have plummeted recently.

I can probably get a big tyre if I ask around but what would be do with it?

We've got hand weights, skipping ropes and a foam roller so that's a start.

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BoffinMum · 29/11/2015 15:01

MarkRuffalo, are they 8 inch letters?

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BoffinMum · 29/11/2015 15:02

BTW, can't hang anything from the ceiling or door because of suicidality issues. Sad

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BoffinMum · 29/11/2015 15:03

Actually a punchbag might be OK, just not anything else.

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OnePlanOnHouzz · 29/11/2015 15:03

Upbeat gym music or if you can have music videos on a tv that's even better - we have a radiator that heats up the room before I go in. That way it's only on for about 40 mins - takes the chill off as I start and then it's off by the time I'm finished .
I also have a Fitbit so I can challenge DH and DD's with our steps or cals burned by end of the day or week etc .. and we do a 3k challenge sometimes - ie who can run 3k on the treadmill fastest ! We have a white board up with the results - adds to the fun a bit ! If you need a hand planning where to put stuff PM me and I'll help !

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CMOTDibbler · 29/11/2015 15:55

The tyre - you can flip it, hit it with a sledgehammer (excellent for getting out frustration), jump in and out/on and off it (great plyometrics)

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BoffinMum · 29/11/2015 16:12

I am learning a lot of stuff on here today! The wonderful Oneplan is now helping with layout options and I have emailed her a plan Grin

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BoffinMum · 29/11/2015 16:24

CMOT, can you talk to me about TurboTrainers? I wondered if getting a couple of those would mean using bikes we had to keep in there anyway, and thereby saving storage space. On the other hand if there is a lot of faff clipping them in and out then that might not make sense, as we still need to hop on them easily to use them around town.

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CMOTDibbler · 29/11/2015 17:33

Ours, which is like this one is very easy to set up. You replace your back skewer with the correct quick release one (one is included with the turbo), then each time you just line up with the clampy thing, tighten, then turn the thing at the back till it touches the back wheel and clicks. Ds(9) can set his bike up himself its so easy.

We (well, dh and I, ds is getting one for christmas) have speed sensors on our bikes which connect to the garmin so you get a speed/distance readout. You can do fancier more VR things as well, but that requires more tech!

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BoffinMum · 29/11/2015 17:46

Looks good but quite expensive. I'll have to think about that.

The blurb is interesting. 'Stop logging junk miles'. That's the story of my fitness life, for sure. Wink

I am currently trying to Freecycle a couple of older bikes to make a bit more space.

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OnePlanOnHouzz · 29/11/2015 18:56

Email sent with a layout idea - happy for you to upload it here if you want ! Smile

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TheLesserSpottedBee · 29/11/2015 21:36

Boffin where abouts are you geographically? I have a piece of gym equipment and I am happy to donate it.

I am in Leeds, so if you are nearby, let me know.

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BoffinMum · 29/11/2015 22:18

OnePlan, yes, we could upload it so people could have a look. It's a great design.

LesserSpotted, unfortunately I am near Cambridge so probably a bit far, but it is very kind of you to offer it to us.

Update on project: DH is preparing to part with a great deal of clutter which is a huge step forward for him!!!

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BoffinMum · 29/11/2015 22:21

I am currently on Ebay looking at second hand kit and I am wondering if people knew anything about the relative quality of different brands. Obviously this stuff is all collect only and it might be a false economy in some cases if its a long way off and not likely to be any good.

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TheLesserSpottedBee · 29/11/2015 22:39

Gutting that you are not closer Wink

Best thing to do would be bank one entire wall with storage in the garage for anything tool/paint/junk you stash there. We used Ikea Ivar system which has solid shelves.

Or bank it with cupboards or wardrobes.

Our gym equipment is commercial grade so I can't advise on brands but have a look on Amazon and Argos for people's opinions even if you are not buying from there.

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BoffinMum · 29/11/2015 22:55

I am even more gutted Wink
I am just playing with the PAX wardrobe tool on the IKEA website, as I suddenly thought if they had mirrored doors, it would be like having mirrors up and storage space behind. Lots of shelves in there would mean lots of space for DH's miscellaneous plastic boxes.

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MarkRuffaloCrumble · 30/11/2015 07:47

Yes boffin, 8 inch letters, although they do smaller ones too. I bought a little papier-mâché star for the apostrophe.

My DP has a 6 foot punch bag, which has chains at the top for suspending it, so no rope required if that helps Sad How awful for you (& him) that that's a consideration. I hope the gym helps him to focus on something positive X

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BoffinMum · 30/11/2015 09:58

Ds is in bed right now and I am so glad to have this as a positive project for us all to focus on.

It's certainly making a difference to my own sanity. It's really tough having a child in this state, I will admit that. Especially as we thought he was so much better. Sad

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