Home gym ideas

[thecrow]

I'm currently trying to work out if we can get a home gym in an outbuilding we're planning to have built at the bottom of the garden. We've got about 4.5m width to play with (leaving room either side) and anything up to about 7m depth. The original idea was to split it 50/50 having the back half as storage and the front half as a gym. However, I'm not convinced it is going to have the space needed.

I'm looking to get a squat rack, bench and area for deadlifts etc, dumbells and a treadmill (for the Mrs).

If anyone has done something like this, I'd welcome your thoughts, photos etc.

[thecrow]

BobSaunders said:

Squat rack and bench can be the same thing. Just move the bench back and then you have room for deadlifts using the bar. Ensure there is appropriate cushioning on the floor. Treadmill in the corner.

Depends how much of a showhome look you want for the gym.

Sorry, that's what I meant re the squat rack/bench idea. Didn't word it very well. Not too fussed about it looking like a showhome, just want it to work. Was thinking rubber interlocking tiles on the floor all over for cushioning.

The other thing that I've been wondering about is height. It looks like I can only go to 2.5m (presumably external, so less internally). It doesn't seem enough if I'm going to be doing pull ups or overhead pressing anything? I've no experience in seeking permission for something like this, which, I understand I'd have to do if I was to go for a higher ceiling.

[thecrow]

Re deadlifts, I'm looking forward to getting back into them. Have been out of the gym for a while but was doing sets at 180kg before I stopped, so would like to aim at least in that direction. I was taught well so form is strict (it is on everything, form first, then weight as form allows).

The builder is talking about oversized joists with 300mm centres, and I think he said 22mm ply on top (I'm waiting on a quote and am not technical really myself, so that might be rubbish), with my rubber floor on top of that. I want to be able to drop any weight I'm likely to lift, and realistically am going to have to do clean and jerk outside, so I'd like to be able to have confidence that I could drop 250kg (say) from deadlift height without going through the floor. Extra mats would be worth looking at, although presumably it changes the movement slightly (starting higher up?).

I think as has been suggested, pull ups from a lower starting point would be OK. I like the idea of having lots of space above my head but have to remember this isn't going to be a commercial gym! I'm used to doing pull ups from a completely dead hang, so presumably on my knees will engage the core a bit more!

Has anyone got photos of their kit in situ so I can see what sort of space people leave around equipment, and how much you've fitted into a given space?

Thanks for all the advice so far, much appreciated.

NB I'd considered digging down to get ceiling height but figured as has been suggested, that it changes the whole scope too much. I'd probably be more inclined to seek permission for a higher ceiling (next door have something in the same part of their garden that is significantly above 2.5m, and they don't seem like the type to do anything not-by-the-book).