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A garage gym is the perfect solution for those seeking an alternative to commercial gyms. Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons why heating may not be included in your plans when building your home workout space.
Fortunately, you have options! The following tips will ensure you have a Heating Garage Gym for safe and enjoyable experience training year round, no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.
First Step – Assess Your Environment
It is important to determine how cold the space will get throughout the year, and if any specific areas within your gym will be colder than others. Is there a vent or duct near where you plan to workout? If so, it’s going to feel much colder than other parts of the garage.
Other areas you may want to consider are any windows located in the area, and if your garage door is insulated. Once you have an idea of where the problem spots may be, it’s time to get creative! You can sometimes use these colder areas as a way to motivate yourself during your workouts- “Only five more reps left, I can make it!”
Second Step – Block off Problem Areas
This step may not be necessary, but if your gym is located in an area that tends to be colder than others you should consider blocking off the cold air coming into your space. This could be as simple as putting up a sheet of plywood by the garage door (this will help with heat loss) or it could be as complex as building a separate room within your garage.
Although the latter option is more involved, if you’re serious about training in all seasons, it can definitely be worth the effort. This strategy is especially helpful when trying to protect children and pets from harsh temperatures.
Third Step – Build a Heating System
The downside to many DIY heating options is that they can be costly and difficult to move meaning this solution may not be the best option for those who plan on constantly changing their set up. If you’re planning your garage gym with long term use in mind, here are some ideas that might work for you:
Radiant Heating Panels
One of the most popular heating solutions is to install radiant panels under your floor. These thin, flat panels are installed in an interlocking grid format and can be bought at home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowes. The heat they emit creates a comfortable feeling without getting too warm.
Baseboard Heating
This is a slightly more expensive option, but it’s popular because the heat comes from above and therefore doesn’t make your floors as hot as radiant heating panels can. In other words- you won’t scald yourself as easily! These units are installed in your walls by professionals, so this may be a more expensive option for those looking to save money on their home gym.
Forced-Air Heating
Another popular option, a forced-air heater uses a blower driven by an electric motor to push heated air throughout the room. This heating method is fast and effective but tends to make the area feel slightly hotter than other options. If you have plans to use a treadmill or other cardio equipment, this may not be the best option.
Warm Air Distribution
A more budget-friendly alternative, warm air distribution is a method of heating that heats the air and then pushes it out into your space through floor vents placed throughout your garage gym. This tends to work well because the heated air comes out at a low velocity and isn’t too warm. This system works well for those who spend time in different areas of their space and don’t want the whole room to feel hot.
It is important to note that because this method doesn’t heat the air directly, it won’t change the maximum temperature in your space. This is an ideal option if your area gets cold during this time, but doesn’t get unbearably cold outside.
Woodstove
Wood heaters are a great way to keep your garage gym bearably warm in the colder months. It may seem like a low-tech solution, but it’s an incredibly popular method for keeping a garage nice and toasty.
In addition to keeping you warm while you train, wood heat is also absolutely free – when using wood harvested from your property. Wood heat is also sustainable and self-reliant.
The only downside to wood heat is that it takes a while to heat up your gym. If you want a super warm garage in a short amount of time, then using a wood burning stove probably isn’t going to work for you.
Fourth Step – Stay Warm!
After you’ve installed a heating system in your garage gym, remember that staying warm is as much about what you’re wearing as what equipment you’re using!
I recommend wearing layers instead of one heavy coat- it’s easier to stay warm when you have some breathing room. If you aren’t sure about the right kind of clothing for your space, consult with a professional on what kinds of fabrics are best suited for this particular environment.
For instance, while wool sweaters and jeans may seem like a good idea, they can often make you uncomfortably warm. Instead, opt for lightweight cotton to help wick away sweat and keep your body temperature manageable!
If the winters in your area are mild enough that you’ll only need minimal heating assistance, then perhaps just wear some thick socks or leg warmers. Remember, the more you wear, the warmer you’ll stay!
Our Recommendations
I recommend using a combination of radiant heating panels and warm air distribution to effectively heat your garage gym in any weather situation. Radiant heating can be used on the floor where there are problem spots, while warm air distribution can be used to keep an even heat throughout the room. Radiant heating is also helpful because it heats you directly, making it easier to stay warm during workouts!
Many people who choose radiant heating panels simply use a regular electric heater for their primary source of heat. This option works well if you don’t have time or money to install anything else, but the heat from a regular heater can be unpredictable and some areas of your space may get too hot if it’s not properly controlled.
Heating your garage gym is easy with a bit of planning and preparation. Your garage gym can be a comfortable place to workout this winter no matter how cold it gets outside! Best of luck with staying warm in your home gym as we enter into 2022!*
