What kind of home gym can you build in a 10 feet by 22 feet space? Below you can find three different layouts that fit in this space and make the most of it. Use the plans below for inspiration or use them as-is for building your garage gym.
While the total amount of 220 sq. ft. is plenty to place all the gym equipment you need in a home gym, the 10′ width is a bit cramped so you do need to be careful with how you set up your gym so it doesn’t start feeling very narrow. Here are three ways to do it.
Contents
1. Complete Strength and Cardio Gym
The first layout is one that is complete and can provide a well-rounded workout. It’s got everything you need for pretty much all barbell, dumbbell, and cable exercises. The power rack, functional trainer and dumbbells take care of all your muscle-building and strength-training needs. The rowing machine is there for the cardio workouts.
There is enough space around all the equipment to use it comfortably and without the risk of bumping into anything else. You can easily use this setup with more than one person at the same time although you might need an extra bench for this.
What’s In This Gym?
2. Single Garage Gym Variation
This second layout is in some ways quite similar to the first one but not quite the same.
The power rack is replaced by a Smith machine/squat rack combo. This can also be done in the first layout though. The big difference is that all the weightlifting equipment is focused on the spot on the right side. This means everything is very close to each other and you can change between exercises very quickly.
The right side of the space can be used for a treadmill and there is space for another piece of equipment like a preacher curl bench or something similarly compact. Of course, it’s not necessary to fill up all the space if you don’t need more exercise options.
If you want to use part of this garage for storage, I’d recommend moving the weightlifting area towards the door so you can open it for fresh air.
The open space in front of the weightlifting equipment isn’t very big but large enough to do all the lifts you can imagine. Even laying down flat should be possible.
What’s In This Gym?
3. Car + Strength Training Layout
Do you need to pack your car and home gym into this space? It’s possible but you’ll be a bit limited in both car size and workout equipment. Working out while your car is parked inside is also quite tight but possible. I’m not saying this is a good setup, this is just to show what’s possible.
As you can see below, you can fit a power rack, bench, and a set of adjustable next to a mid-size SUV (Range Rover Evoque in this example).
As long as you lift inside the rack, you shouldn’t have problems with having enough space although your legs might rub on the bumper while bench pressing. Pulling the car out when working out will leave you much more space and likely a more comfortable workout experience.
What’s In This Gym?
Recommended Equipment For These Setups
In a 10′ x 22′ space, you’ve got enough room that it’s not necessary to always look for most compact equipment. However, you still want good value for money and equipment that lasts. Here are some recommendations for equipment many people are happy with.
Power Rack
In the floor plans, I’ve used the Rogue RML-490C which is a very solid power rack. It’s pretty much the standard for sturdiness, fit and finish, and functionality. However, it’s not cheap and some more affordable options are just as compact. Look at the Titan Fitness X-3 Range (Amazon) for a more affordable option that is very similar.
Dumbbell Rack
If you want a rack of dumbbells you’ve got two good choices; affordable and decent or expensive and great.
The first choice is the Signature Fitness 5-50 lbs. set with rack (Amazon link). These are a great deal for such a set of dumbbells. You get 10 pairs of dumbbells on a 3-tier rack. The dumbbells are decent quality with a nice handle but not the highest quality. The rack is a bit wobbly. That doesn’t sound too great until you see the price, this is a deal that’s hard to dismiss.
The second choice is a high-quality set of dumbbells from REP Fitness (Amazon link). A company with a reputation for great products and amazing customer service. In the pictures, the set looks very similar to the first option but the dumbbells are nicer and the rack is rock solid. You also have the option of extending the set up to 100-pound dumbbells, an option Signature doesn’t offer.
Adjustable Bench
There are tons of adjustable benches out there but a few stand out.
If you want something super solid, versatile, and with a good warranty and customer service, go for the REP Fitness AB-3000 (Amazon link). It’s built like a tank has nice features and isn’t too big.
The REP bench is a bit pricey though. For a cheaper option, look at the Lusper benches. This model (Amazon link) is affordable, can handle up to 800 pounds, and folds completely flat. It won’t be as sturdy and solid as the first option but it’s a lot cheaper.
Functional Trainer
There are a few good functional trainers to choose from. As said above, it’s not necessary to pick the smallest one.
My favorite all-around functional trainer is the BodyCraft HFT (Amazon). It’s finished very nicely with high-quality parts, works smoothly, and comes with the attachments you need. I’d recommend paying extra for assembly because these can be a bit difficult to set up but once they are, these are great.
The standard weight stacks are 150 lbs. per side but an upgrade to 200 lbs. per stack is available. That should be heavy enough for the vast majority of people out there.
Treadmill
As an entry-level treadmill, the NordicTrack T6.5s is a great choice for the money. It is strong and sturdy enough for a good workout and the 3 hp motor has enough power for up to 10 miles an hour. It does have an annoying feature that makes you log into your Nordictrack account though. It’s also not the best for tall people because of its short deck.
The XTerra TRX4500 (Amazon) is a great choice for most people. Its belt is large enough for anyone except giraffes, the motor is strong and the frame is sturdy. The 12 MPH top speed is also quite high. The whole package is still pretty affordable. The low price does mean you don’t get any fancy displays or touchscreens but do you really need those?
If you need the best of the best treadmill, look at Landice. They are amazing, not necessarily in flashy features, but in build quality and feel. However, they are priced accordingly.
Rowing Machine
Concept2 Model D (Amazon) is the right choice when picking a rowing machine. These are the rowing machines you’ll see in most commercial gyms and for good reason. They work well, are durable, and aren’t even the most expensive although not cheap.
Buy one of these and you’ll be good for the next 20 years. And probably a lot leaner by that time since these air-resistance rowers burn a lot of calories.
Leg Press
It’s a good idea to go for a leg press that’s both leg press and hack squat. It just adds exercise variability and both exercises, while similar, have their benefits.
One of the best out there is the BodyCraft F760 (Amazon). It’s built like a tank, everything is adjustable which means you can get a good range of motion on both the leg press and hack squat which is an issue with most other combo machines. And of course, the lifetime warranty is a big plus.
Optional Extras
Though the setups shown above are pretty complete, there are some things you can add to make your garage gym even better:
- Flooring: Flooring helps with noise, hygiene, safety, and comfort. And for such a small space, it’s quite cheap to cover the whole floor so this is a no-brainer.
- Mirror: A mirror is useful for checking your form but also makes your space look bigger!
- Pull-up bar: Pull-ups are a great exercise and hard to replace. A doorway-mounted pull-up bar is easy to put up or take down and adds a few great exercise options.
- Fan: Garages are usually not very well insulated and can get uncomfortable quickly, especially when working out. A wall-mounted fan helps while not taking up any floor space.
- Kettlebells: Great for adding exercise options that are completely different from barbell and dumbbell exercises.
By adding those to any of the gyms above, it will improve the looks, functionality, and comfort of your home gym.
