If you’re thinking about adding a gym to your home, there are a variety of ways to go about it. One option, especially if you have a basement that you don’t use very often, is to simply put the gym into your basement. Although this can be an effective way to create a home gym, there are a few things you might want to keep in mind. Here are five tips to think about if you’re considering turning your basement into a home gym.

1. Deal With Basement Humidity First

Managing your basement’s health will always be the most important thing to do. Health will always come first when it comes to constructing an add-on for your basement, so if you’re currently having issues with basement health, manage those problems before you start putting home gym equipment into the basement.

2. Protect Basement Floors

Whether you’re planning to run, lift weights, or even just ride an elliptical, you can get out in front of a lot of basement problems if you protect your basement floors before you start. Add a protective floor layer for best results. You can get in touch with a reputed basement remodeler boulder or wherever you live, who may be able to give you better ideas to plan not only the floors, but the rest of the basement as well. Moreover, such a contractor ideally has the expertise to assist you with the actual remodel as well, saving you tons of time in the process. You could also look into basement waterproofing in Springfield, or wherever you are, to prevent any serious water damage (which could cost thousands to get things back in order again) from occurring in the space.

3. Consider the Installation Process Before You Buy Gear

When you’re buying gear for your new home gym, it’s easy to let your eyes get too big for your basement, causing you to invest in some gear that won’t be easy to add to the basement. Think about how the installation process will go. That way, you’ll be more likely to buy gear that you can easily fit into the basement.

4. Think About Investing in Baseboard Heat

Especially if you live in a colder area, chances are that your basement is going to be very cold most of the time. The floor especially will likely be extremely cold overall because it’s going to be in direct contact with the cold soil outside. Investing in baseboard heating systems and its components like good copper pipes and a boiler can make it much easier for you to stay in your cold basement. Additionally having a stock of fuel oil can be useful as it can help you last through the winter. All you may need could be install a fuel tank at your residence (learn about tank prep for the fall here) that can be beneficial in storing the fuel oil in bulk.

5. Remember Your Home’s Structural Stability

Structural stability may not be something you think you’ll have to consider very often in your home, but it’s something that can be extremely beneficial if you’re adding certain things into the basement. Especially if you’re attaching things to your basement ceiling, like an aerial swing, a punching bag, or a pole for pole dancing, you need to make sure your home’s structural stability will be able to support it.

Conclusion

Turning your basement into a gym doesn’t necessarily have to be super difficult, but it is something that you should pay close attention to if possible. When you’re thinking more about creating a gym in your basement, you need to make sure that gym is just as healthy as a gym you would create elsewhere in your home. With these tips, you can have a home gym that makes you feel happy without having to worry about structural concerns that could arise in your basement.

Zoe Kickhefer
zoe@everydaylifes.com