In order to set up a basement home gym where you can comfortably work out with no interruptions, you need to plan your space carefully.
Assessing the layout and making plans that align with the space and budget available ensures you don't overspend on expensive and bulky equipment that may not fit your space.
As a fitness coach, I've helped many clients design their basement home gyms. But for this article, I teamed up with my colleagues to gather our research and experiences in one place.
Let’s dive in.
Quick Summary
- You set up a basement home gym by first clearing out any items there and assessing the layout to determine the type of equipment you need before buying them.
- Basement gyms can handle heavy equipment and offer a dedicated space with no distractions and a cooler environment that benefits the body.
- Before setting up a basement gym, you have to consider factors such as space, ventilation, budget, electrical outlets, and your budget.
How to Build a Basement Home Gym
To set up a basement home gym, start by determining your purpose for working out, which will help establish the necessary space and equipment.
Then clear out any clutter and evaluate the layout before making purchases.
We'll get to the details of how to go about setting up a basement home gym later in this article.
But let's examine why a home basement workout space is a good idea in the first place.
"You must measure up the space you have accurately and purchase equipment based on these measurements. This is especially relevant if you have a small basement."
- Eamonn Leaver, Founder, The Home Fit Freak
Is a Basement Gym a Good Idea?
Yes, a basement gym is not just a good idea but a great one.
Most have concrete floor foundations, meaning they can handle the extra weight, thus allowing you to comfortably install heavy fitness equipment for use as opposed to a room upstairs.
Here are more benefits:
- Basement gyms also offer a dedicated space for working out with no interruptions and distractions, thus helping in keeping you focused.
- Those with basement gyms also enjoy a more refined and cooler environment in these spaces while working out than a garage or a gym above ground. This advantage can be especially beneficial during strenuous exercises [1].
Before you convert your unfinished basement into a workout space, here are a few things you should keep in mind to make it better.
Things to Consider Before Putting up a Basement Gym
Before converting your basement setup to a home gym, here are a few factors and basement home gym ideas you should consider:
Space
Think carefully about how much space you need. This may depend on your personal goals and what you intend to achieve.
For instance, if you're looking to do cardio on a treadmill, you should consider that it may take up more floor space than a good weight bench for weight training.
As you can see, small spaces can be restrictive, while a large home gym space gives you plenty of options. You might want to consider looking into some quality compact home gym options.
Now, if your basement is subdivided into several smaller rooms, you can have different rooms for different purposes, such as a weight room or a cardio room, or just remove the partitions to make a large room, which is more efficient.
Ceiling
Most basements have a low ceiling, which can be a big problem when it comes to fitting and working out using some equipment such as the barbell overhead press.
General building codes require a basement with a seven-foot ceiling. However, an eight-foot ceiling would be ideal in this case.
When the ceiling is low for the home gym, renovating the basement to fit the gym equipment can be extremely costly.
So, instead, it's better to be mindful of the height limitations before purchasing any gym gear.
Ventilation
Ventilation is often a problem in basement gyms because most have no windows.
This can make your exercise experience unpleasant or difficult altogether, which may impact your motivation to work out.
The best way to solve this problem is to install an exhaust or ceiling fan if your ceiling is high.
Plants in your basement workout space are another creative way to enhance the air quality in your basement gym.
Electrical Outlets
Some of the best cardio machines require electricity to run.
So, ensure you have enough sockets to prevent a hazard that can occur with extension cables on the ground.
Budget
If there are budgetary constraints, try working within them.
That means purchasing pocket-friendly equipment if you have to.
Also, purchasing recommended home gym equipment strategically at certain times when it's on sale can save you money.
Steps to Turn Basement Into a Home Gym
If you're looking to give your basement a makeover by converting it into a functional home gym, here are a few steps to follow:
Clear Out
Start by clearing out any clutter in your basement storage space to convert it to a home gym. Having these items in your space can cause distraction and even injury when working out.
Install a Basement Floor
Most basement gyms are either concrete or carpeted by default. But these types of floors are not designed for workouts and are uncomfortable when exercising.
Installing vinyl panels not only makes the basement floor aesthetically appealing but is also safer and more resistant to mold when exposed to moisture.
If you're not ready to replace your floor, consider rubber flooring, foam tiles or simply cutting and installing horse stall mats for your home gym. They are shock-resistant and can provide support to ward off injuries.
Making Use of the Walls
The next step is to install wall accessories such as wall storage, mirrors, or wallpapers.
A mirror is one of the most useful items in a home gym. Some people consider it as a must have equipment in their home gym.
Mirrors can make a huge difference in how you exercise by ensuring you're working out correctly.
It also helps you avoid injuries. Seeing your current form in a mirror can inspire you to work harder.
Besides mirrors, most gym enthusiasts like installing visuals and sports paraphernalia, including encouraging slogans and wallpapers of their favorite bodybuilders, for motivation and aesthetic purposes.
You can do a lot with your basement wall for inspiration, including changing the color for motivation.
Scientists assert that color can affect mood and energy levels [2].
Colors like green, neon, and red have been found to have the same motivational effect as hanging wallpapers and encouraging slogans.
Plan The Layout
Planning your basement gym layout is a crucial part. A lot of it will depend on what you intend to use the gym for.
If you plan to weight train, you will need space for weight racks and shelves that can hold free weights or dumbells.
Similarly, if you need the basement for cardio, you will need space for cardio equipment.
If you plan on gradually adding home gym equipment to your basement, leave enough open space.
As you can see, planning the area can assist you in using your unfinished basement space correctly to get the most out of it.
Purchase Equipment
Contrary to what most people think, you don't need tons of workout equipment to have a stylish and functional home gym.
The truth is, you can do a lot with the bare minimum—a piece of cardio equipment (a treadmill or stationary bike), a set of dumbbells, and a yoga mat.
Tom Eskey, founder of Garage Gym Revisited, recommends avoiding superfluous equipment because they take up space and provide few exercise variations.
Free weights could be a good alternative for a home gym setup in terms of optimizing available space and providing the same training benefits.
In addition, pieces of equipment like jump ropes, medicine balls, kettlebells, and foam rollers are inexpensive and can help you perform a full-body workout.
FAQs
Is It OK to Have a Treadmill in the Basement?
Yes, it's OK to have a treadmill in the basement. That’s also a great location, especially with the right ceiling height. Low ceilings in basements can make working out on a treadmill less comfortable.
Do You Need Gym Flooring on Concrete?
Yes, you need to install appropriate gym floors over concrete. That's because the concrete does not absorb shock and may cause harm to your knees and feet when working out.
Does a Basement Gym Need Windows?
Yes, a basement gym needs windows for proper ventilation. An egress window is more suitable for basement gyms.
Start Setting up Your Basement Gym
When setting up a basement gym, start by clearing the space to assess the available space before laying out a plan to bring gym gear. Then start with the most important equipment, depending on your training goals.
If your goal is to lose weight, I recommend adding some of this home gym equipment for weight loss that can help you cut in a comfortable environment free from distractions.
We've tested dozens of machines and have only included the most efficient and those with the most positive feedback based on our assessment and client feedback reports.
References:
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-wonders-of-winter-workouts
- https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-2795824
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