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Can I Put a Gym in My Basement?

For most with a basement, the answer is YES! While there may be workarounds needed, a basement can be a solid spot to put a gym.

This article is a subset of the Home Gym Guide but aims to guide or inspire those looking to create the ultimate basement gym. Plus, it will give some insights that should help determine if a basement gym is the best option for you.

In this article, I’ll discuss:

• My Personal Experience with a Basement Gym: My home gym journey so far and why a basement gym is right for me.

• Benefits of a Basement Gym: Temperature control, more family time, less equipment maintenance is needed, and more.

• What to Be Aware Of: Ceiling height and moisture levels should be analyzed before starting in the basement.

• Ideas for the Walls: Paint, wall decor, tv, and equipment storage can help turn your traditional or unfinished basment into a gym.

• Lighting: Dark, dreary basements will likely not be a very motivating setting. Here are some lighting tips to help.

• Flooring: A couple of flooring options.

• Equipment Choices: There are certain circumstances that require some variance from certain pieces of equipment.

• Space Needed: Not much space is needed to get started.

• Conclusion: In the end, is a basement gym right for you?

• Add Your Own Thoughts: Your feedback is appreciated.

My Experience

When I first started my home gym, I had it in the garage, and it was great. At the time, I was living on the southeast coast of North Carolina. Though I loved having my garage gym, some definite issues left me continuing to have a commercial gym membership: hot, humid summers, cold winters, and a hurricane that put all my equipment in a foot of water. Not all of these are problems that hit all garage gym owners, but I know each garage gym owner faces obstacles.

Then, as my family grew, we moved back to the midwest, and I was excited about moving my equipment to an unfinished basement. I figured I would still need a commercial gym membership as I had in North Carolina, but the benefits of having a basement gym soon voided the need of spending $70/month. Instead, I ended up adding the necessary equipment to lift full time in the basement.

In my basement, hindrances exist (like not being able to do any standing overhead lifts and having to do pull-ups with bent knees and my head between floor joists). Still, my basement gym has been a far more enjoyable experience for a handful of reasons.

For me, the most significant benefits include a consistent temperature throughout the year, it’s easier to maintain equipment, I can spend more time with my kids, and I can create “my perfect space.” The following section goes into more detail.

Perks of having a Basement Gym

Temperature

The basement gym is far superior to the garage gym if you live in an area that experiences cold winters and/or hot, humid summers.

No matter what the temperature is outside, the basement remains comfortable. In the garage, humid summers can be almost unbearable to lift in, and the cold winter months are usually spent with long warm-ups sessions. On the contrary, the tough times to have a basement gym are when the outdoor weather is perfect for training. However, it’s easy to take a few pieces outside and work your accessories when that weather is nice.

Equipment Maintenance

Putting steel out in the elements requires you to be on top of maintenance or pay the price in the long run. Having your equipment in the basement lets you avoid extreme heat, extreme cold, and the equipment killer: moisture. Those cherished gym purchases will last longer and age slower in a basement protected from the elements compared to the garage.

Lifting With Kids

A big reason so many parents start a home gym is because it’s hard to escape to go the gym when you have kids. If you have to (or get to) lift with kids, you want your space to be kid-friendly. We already mentioned uncomfortable temperatures above, and lifting in an area that is always temperate is a massive win for lifting with kids. So is having a space just for them.

If you are lucky enough to have multiple rooms in the basement, having one just for the kids while you lift is ideal.

Building the Perfect Space

Whether you have a finished basement and are looking to add a home gym to it, or you have an unfinished basement and a blank canvas to work with, building out that perfect space is a labor of love.

Below we will look at different ideas (some simple, some not so simple) on how you can make your basement gym the perfect space for you.

But before we get started, there are a few things you need to be aware of.

Beware…

Low Clearance

Some garage gyms have a similar issue, but low ceilings are more prevalent among the basement gym community. A lucky few can go overhead with a loaded barbell in the basement, but low ceilings are an obstacle that comes with basement life for most of us.

Just know that you might have to be picky with your equipment choices and need to get creative with your training styles. If you have always dreamed of having that 96″ 4-post power rack or are an Olympic lifter who needs to snatch and jerk, the basement may not be for you.

As far as equipment choices, some equipment recommendations are laid out later in the article.

Delivery and Set-up

Most home gym equipment comes with some assembly, which is great for moving things into the basement before building. However, if you are getting large pieces of equipment that are already put together and don’t break down small enough to fit through doors or downstairs, it can be demoralizing not to put those pieces in your gym.

If you plan on adding commercial resale equipment or large pieces that don’t break down, understand that getting them into your space may be an issue.

Some of us have learned the hard way.

Moisture

The basement may get you out of dealing with the outdoor temperatures, but if your basement has water issues, you may want to reconsider a basement gym. The last thing you want is to put expensive, heavy equipment in your basement, only to have to move it later due to water issues.

In addition, make sure you have a working sub-pump to protect you against any flooding and that your floors and walls are sealed from letting in moisture.

A quick test you can give your walls:

• Use gorilla tape and seal a piece of clear plastic around the edges to your wall.

• Leave it up for 3-4 days.

• Check the inside of the plastic. If you get condensation on the inside of the plastic you need to strongly consider sealing your walls.

This test is not full proof, but it’s an excellent place to start.

Even if your basement is free from moisture, a dehumidifier is probably a good idea, along with good ventilation.

Once you have a safe, dry space to lift, you can start to work on all the little details.

Unfinished Basement Gym Ideas

Paint

Did this guy mention paint? Yes, because it is something that people don’t think they need as apparent as it is. This is the simplest thing you can do to make your basement gym more aesthetic, and a can of paint isn’t too expensive. Whether you have drywall or cinderblock, a can of paint will make you want to be in your space.

For example, here’s how my walls looked when I first started building out my home gym.

And, here is a look after painting them.

A few other painting suggestions are:

• If lighting is an issue in your basement, think about a lighter color to brighten up the room.

• Want to save some money? Check out the cans of returned paint at home improvement stores. You have to live with someone else’s paint color, but for a fraction of the cost.

Wall Décor

Are you indecisive? As simple as adding paint, wall décor such as posters, gym flags, jerseys, you name it, can make your gym a space you want to be in and show off to others.

Use command strips to hang items makes it so that you’re not putting holes in your wall and covering them up every time you want to move something around.

Hang a TV

For some people, having a TV in the gym is a major distraction and a bad idea. For others, watching motivating things can get them to work out longer. In general, though, hanging a TV can change the look of a room and bring some entertainment to your gym. It can turn your room into a spot where others can hang out as well.

Putting Up Walls/Wall Storage Systems

If you have an unfinished basement, think about putting up finished walls. You will have electricity where you need it, and your gym will have a finished clean look. You will also be able to mount equipment like squat racks, cable setups, and pull-up bars. Having a designated pull-up station is an inexpensive option that can add many potential workouts to your space.

Wall storage is enormous for those with limited space, and having weight storage can open up floor space for more equipment. Barbell storage systems are inexpensive and look great hanging on a finished wall. If you are more into DIY options, there are plenty out there that can save your money and still look great.

There are also DIY options for a wall-mounted plate storage system.

Adding Mirrors

Need mirror ideas? Mirrors are in gyms for a reason, and it’s not just to check out those pumps. Mirrors can benefit your space aesthetically, and they can play a role in your training.

Lighting

Some of these things are just underrated. You go without them because you think you don’t need them, but when you finally upgrade, you realize what a game-changer they are. Lighting fits that description.

Think about adding an easy plug-in, linkable, LED lighting fixtures that take a few minutes to install and give you outstanding results.

Other suggestions include replacing your bulbs with bright white bulbs with higher lumens.

Flooring

Before we go over the flooring, this is a point where we may want to revisit the warnings of moisture. If your floor is not sealed for moisture and you cover it with flooring, you may lift that flooring one day and find that you have the start of a nice little science experiment.

What do you get when you have water without moving air? Answer: mold!

Within this article, you’ll see why one GGE contributor had to get rid of his horse stall mats.

With all of that being said, the primary option for most is still horse stall mats. They are 3/4″ thick, which will help keep your floor’s foundation in good condition. These also have tremendous durability and a solid grip and are thick enough to protect your floor from drops, reduce some noise, and can be pieced together over time. They can be picked up from a store like Tractor Supply or delivered from REP Fitness. This video from Garage Gym Lab will be beneficial for those not familiar with it. Gorilla tape to keep them in place and to dirt and debris out of the cracks.

Option 2 is a Deadlift platform. If you are unsure about spending the money on covering all of your floors, or maybe you are worried about trapping moisture under horse stall mats, then perhaps a deadlift platform is a better option for you. There are tons of DIY options out there, but if you are looking to buy, then you need to direct your attention to these options from Rogue and Titan.

Crash pads will also help protect your floor and help keep the noise under control. Several options include Crash Pads from Abmat or Titan’s choice, which are a bit cheaper.

Equipment Choices

While most suggestions on how to start and what pieces to buy first are relevant in the Home Gym Guide, one major issue for the argument of basements over garage gyms is the ceiling height. This can affect the pieces of equipment you can bring into your space. Below are a few suggestions for those dealing with these shorter vertical spaces.

Rack Choices

This is the centerpiece for most home gyms. Unfortunately, if you are dealing with ceiling height issues, your choices are limited. There are different height options in the buying options for some racks, but for the majority, you’ll need to keep your eyes on the specs.

• The REP 1000 series racks have a ‘Basement’ option that comes in at 72,” but does not have all of the accessory options you may be looking for. Nevertheless, it’s a solid budget choice.

• In addition, If you are into the 3×3 style racks, the REP 5000 has options for 80″ uprights, and It does have a lat-pull/low row station for its lower height. With the 3×3 post size, you’ll have nearly limitless attachment options.

• For those with minimal space, the SML-1 from Rogue will still provide versatility and stability with just two posts used.

Before settling on a rack or style that you don’t love, search all options. Buyer’s remorse is not a fun feeling when building out your dream gym.

Cardio

Treadmills, stairclimbers, and ellipticals are all cardio pieces that need additional height. If you do have a vertically challenged space, think about these cardio options:

• Stationary Bike: Stationary bikes are great for warm-ups or a long cardio session. Stationary bikes range from stationary bike stands for your road bike, all the way up to a Peloton.

• Rower: A seated piece of cardio is an excellent option for the basement, and a rower allows you to get that long slow cardio burn, or those short burst that jack your heart rate up.

• Air Bike: An air bike will we best for high intensity workout.

Camber Bar for Overhead work:

A repeated recommendation for training in the basement is using a camber barbell for overhead work if you have low ceilings. This barbell puts the weight lower than your grip for those who do not have experience with a cambered bar. You will want a camber bar style like the Rogue CB-1 or Titan Rackable Camber Bar for low ceilings rather than something like a Buffalo Bar.

Camber bar attachments for your current barbells are also an option. These attachments slide onto the sleeves of your barbell to transform it into a camber barbell. An easy way to save some money while using existing equipment that you already own.

How Much Space is Needed?

The question about space depends on the user. As many home gym owners will tell you, there is never enough space. That being said, you can get a lot done in a small area. Think about a 10’x10′ room. This would be plenty of room for a power rack (or even squat rack), bar, and a bench. Other routes for small space could be a set of dumbbells or adjustable dumbbells and a bench.

Therefore, you do not need a ton of room when you are building out a home gym. In addition, as described in the Home Gym Guide, the first step in starting a home gym is making sure you want a home gym. Or figuring out how much you will plan to use it. It could be your primary or secondary spot to work out. Therefore, it is suggested not to go out and spend thousands of dollars, but first to purchase a few versatile items, do some workouts, and then expand if you are sure a home gym is right for you.

In addition, if space is tight but you want a ton of variety, an All-In-One Trainer from Force USA would be an excellent option. These include many “commercial gym” favorites within the footprint of your typical power rack.

Conclusion

In the end, there are going to be issues putting a gym anywhere in your home. Ideally, we would all build a half-million-dollar gym in our backyard (Best home gym ever?), but while you are waiting to hit the lotto, it usually boils down to basement vs. garage. Both have their perks and obstacles. The basement gym (if you’re lucky enough to have a basement, and if you don’t, why are you still reading this?) will get you and your equipment out of the elements and open your space to a world of comforting options. Maybe this has inspired you to build your basement gym, or it has confirmed that you are a garage lifter. Either way, keep lifting and add your feedback below.