Converting a shed to gym

Deliverance XXV · 23-06-2009 11:01AM #1

Has anyone any experience on converting a shed to a gym? Any wisdom they can give me before I start out? I'd like to keep the price to a minimum of course.
I have a gym membership but I find myself only going once a week due to erratic working hours so I feel the solution is to set something up at home and it would work as a project that could keep me occupied, too.

The Shed

The shed is your basic wooden shed with galvanised roofing. It's a decent size now but I plan on doubling it's length. It has a concrete floor but I plan on raising it by about six inches to combat damp etc. It has plenty of electrical outlets and windows. Any potential issues there?

The Equipment

What equipment should I be looking at? Where's a good place to buy them? I'm looking at Argos at the moment to compare prices etc.

Currently my work out is 70% Cardio 30% Weights.

Equipment wise, I'm looking at:

Treadmill
Cross Trainer/bike combo
Rowing Machine
Gym mats (ebay?)

I already own:

Punching bag
Exercise mats
Weights Bench + plenty of weights

I plan on documenting and photographing this project all the way through so hopefully some stage in the future it might help someone else.

If anyone can give me a bit of help or a few pointers it's be much appreciated

MagicMarker · 23-06-2009 11:47AM

Why not run outside and buy a bike?

Dovers · 23-06-2009 11:54AM

I wouldn't go near Argos for benches etc they are crap to be honest. You'll have to strike a balance between doing it reasonably cheaply and getting some decent equipment thats not gonna be useless in 3 months. You get what you pay for and all that

Zamboni · 23-06-2009 12:08PM

http://www.crossfit.com/journal/library/cfjissue1_Sep02.pdf

Deliverance XXV · 23-06-2009 01:58PM

MagicMarker wrote: »

Why not run outside and buy a bike?

I live in the city and it's more hassle than anything. Having a shed out the back would not only give me more flexibility in time but would also give me incentive.

Dovers wrote: »

I wouldn't go near Argos for benches etc they are crap to be honest. You'll have to strike a balance between doing it reasonably cheaply and getting some decent equipment thats not gonna be useless in 3 months. You get what you pay for and all that

I have a bench already but it's more cardio equipment which I will be buying and there seems to be decent brands in Argos (Please correct me otherwise). I would also be purchasing 3 year guarantees with it.
Of course if there is anywhere else who can match their prices with better brands/equipment please share.

Zamboni wrote: »

http://www.crossfit.com/journal/library/cfjissue1_Sep02.pdf

Good link with some great ideas but it seems to be aimed at big American garages that are built with blocks and are 400sq ft and people with seemingly unlimited money!

Thanks guys, keep the ideas coming.

floggg · 23-06-2009 03:15PM

Deliverance XXV wrote: »

I live in the city and it's more hassle than anything. Having a shed out the back would not only give me more flexibility in time but would also give me incentive.

Whatever about cycling, living in the city make i easier to run IMO - you don't have to worry about windy country roads with no path. Personally, i can'y stand "stationary" cardio training on threadmill etc - there is no enjoyment to it.

RacoonQueen · 23-06-2009 05:17PM

Cardio equipment can be very noisy...and a wooden shed isn't exactly soundproof. Make sure you don't disturb the neighbours.

Purple Funk · 23-06-2009 06:30PM

I think cardio equipment in general is completely unnecessary. Even if you don't want to leave your home for a run or cycle, there are plenty of other options. Circuits, for example, rotating between bodyweight exercises can be unbelievably intense. Tabata intervals can be an extraordinarily long 4 minute workout. Burpees are the number one conditioning tool in existence and you also possess a punching bag.

Try something like this:
20 Burpees
30 Seconds On the Punch Bag
x6 for time.

Or just straight up Burpees: 100 reps for time.

Tabatas:
20 Second Bodyweight Squat
10 Second Rest
x8

Or a circuit such as:
10 Dips
10 Burpees
10 Push Ups
10 Squats
10 Pull Ups
x10 for time
^Called the "Ten Sets of Hell", from Bodyweight Culture.

There's no need to shed out hundreds, even thousands for cardio equipment. It's ridiculous really, when it can be done for free.

Khannie · 23-06-2009 07:01PM

Chin up bar. Very cheap and a very useful piece of kit.

Looking forward to the pics. Very seriously considering this myself at the moment 'cos I've nowhere for my weights with the little one running around.

Deliverance XXV · 23-06-2009 07:27PM

floggg wrote: »

Whatever about cycling, living in the city make i easier to run IMO - you don't have to worry about windy country roads with no path. Personally, i can'y stand "stationary" cardio training on threadmill etc - there is no enjoyment to it.

True and some good points. Will re-consider the treadmill option but if I come across a bargain in the mean time that'll make my mind up

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Cardio equipment can be very noisy...and a wooden shed isn't exactly soundproof. Make sure you don't disturb the neighbours.

They won't be able to hear the cardio equipment over Metallica's 'And Justice For all...' album

Purple Funk wrote: »

I think cardio equipment in general is completely unnecessary. Even if you don't want to leave your home for a run or cycle, there are plenty of other options. Circuits, for example, rotating between bodyweight exercises can be unbelievably intense. Tabata intervals can be an extraordinarily long 4 minute workout. Burpees are the number one conditioning tool in existence and you also possess a punching bag.

Try something like this:
20 Burpees
30 Seconds On the Punch Bag
x6 for time.

Or just straight up Burpees: 100 reps for time.

Tabatas:
20 Second Bodyweight Squat
10 Second Rest
x8

Or a circuit such as:
10 Dips
10 Burpees
10 Push Ups
10 Squats
10 Pull Ups
x10 for time
^Called the "Ten Sets of Hell", from Bodyweight Culture.

There's no need to shed out hundreds, even thousands for cardio equipment. It's ridiculous really, when it can be done for free.

Thanks for taking the time to write that out. Some brill ideas there and will definitely be giving it a lash. The idea for the cardio equipment is to keep things fresh, give me options and to keep things from becoming boringly repetitive. Maybe it's just me but I find equipment keeps my mind occupied for longer opposed to stand-alone exercises?

Khannie wrote: »

Chin up bar. Very cheap and a very useful piece of kit.

Looking forward to the pics. Very seriously considering this myself at the moment 'cos I've nowhere for my weights with the little one running around.

I actually have one of those (extendible between door jams) in one of my presses but never used it due to the fear it won't hold my 6'2, 16st frame...

There is already a fairly sturdy beam splitting the shed along the roof so I might pick up something on ebay like this that could be attached to it to make a chin-up bar.

Converting a shed to gym

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