3 Reasons to start a Garage Gym:
This series of articles starts with the reasons to start your own Garage Gym. Picture your ideal gym. Most likely, topping the wish list is a location close to home that is also outfitted with your preferred equipment. Convenience, Freedom and Saving Money! How great! It is a home-based gym or as we call it the “Garage Gym.”
Convenience
Often, the nearest gym to you isn’t close at all. It becomes inconvenient to drive 20 minutes or more each way to get to the gym. Your daily schedule is already busy enough with a job, family, friends, chores and other life commitments. Having your own gym provides you with the freedom to train whenever you want to train. Imagine getting your workout done before a busy work day? The stress of having to squeeze in a workout after a long day of work is now gone, this can allow for time spent on other important areas such as family, friends, etc. Not only will you gain time by cutting out gym commutes, you’ll also save time in workouts.
Freedom
Public gyms have rules and restrictions. You cannot simply do whatever you want during your workouts. Many gyms enforce rules that actually prevent people from performing the most effective exercises such as deadlifting, lifting heavy, and using chalk for enhanced grip strength, etc. Rules in facilities are generally overbearing and intrusive due to liability concerns. Not to mention that you may feel awkward or uncomfortable doing some of the things that you might do at home — like screaming, grunting, or sprawling out on the floor in exhaustion after a grueling workout! At home, there is no need to worry if you drop the weights on the floor a little too loudly or let loose with a few grunts when pushing through a tough set. Your garage gym is your domain, your sanctuary. The training environment is what you make it and what you enjoy. Side note for married guys – this garage gym is the new “Man Cave” and save you from an argument or two at home.
Cost Effectiveness
You might question whether building your own garage gym will save you money or actually cost you more. We encourage you to calculate the figures. Gym memberships can be expensive when you add up how much you’re paying in monthly fees and the gas to commute back and forth. For many people that total reaches $1,000 or more annually. Now look forward a few years and total how much money you will have spent on going to a commercial gym then! Add in the fact approximately 10% of gym users utilize their membership with regular frequency, the monthly membership fee becomes a burden not a benefit. It comes back to the age old question of renting vs. owning. Investing in your own garage gym will save money in the long run. No more monthly fees and high commute costs.
Next in this series of articles we will discuss the Challenges of a Garage Gym and How to Deal with Them
For more awesome Garage Gym tips please bookmark the upcoming book Garage Gym Bible
MICHAEL VOLKMAR, MS, CSCS, PES, CPT, received his master’s degree in Exercise Science with a specialization in Exercise, Nutrition, and Eating Behavior from George Washington University (GWU). In 2001, Mike started his well-traveled path in Sports Performance Training at the Junior College level (OCC, Onondaga, NY) working with the baseball team. He worked for three years as the Strength and Conditioning Coach at GWU, first with the Single A affiliate (High Desert Mavericks) of the Milwaukee Brewers, and later season with the Double A affiliate (Harrisburg Senators) of the Washington Nationals, before moving on to spend one year at the International Performance Institute of IMG Academies, FL. Mike continued his professional development by becoming the Director of Strength and Conditioning at the APEX Academies. Currently, Mike is the strength and conditioning coach at the Peddie School. A Division I baseball player during his undergraduate career, Mike is an amateur powerlifter with a passion for all things fitness. Mike has advanced specialty certifications in strength and conditioning, post-rehab exercise, athletic development, and sports medicine. He is the co-author of the upcoming title Mobility Workout Handbook.
