Did you know that Drew Scott used to be a personal trainer? Given his fitness background and his renovation/interior design present, there is no one better equipped to teach turning a small space into a highly effective home gym.
In a recent YouTube video, the Property Brother explained how he turned his garage into a home gym. Since it wasn't necessary to keep his car sheltered in California, Drew considered how to turn the area into an area that promotes wellness. He explains: 'I'm getting up there in years so it's not just about lifting heavy and trying to put on muscle. For me, it's more about having longevity of an enjoyable life, which means being able to move. I would like to touch my toes when I'm 80 years old.'
Part of what makes his home gym so effective is that he organizes his workout room in a way that maximizes space. For instance, he swears by adjustable dumbbells. Drew states: 'I have two sets of dumbbells in the garage here. I have also been a nerd and I've gone through every different type of dumbbell. I wanted adjustable dumbbells because otherwise I would have an entire section here full of dumbbells from 2lbs up to 100lbs.' He motions widely across the room. 'Whomever came up with the idea of adjustable dumbbells, I love you.'
Shop the Edit
Drew explains that more of his training happens on the mat than the bench, and this is the exact one he uses. It's durable and designed to be environmentally friendly for longterm use.
Drew dispels the misconception that pilates machines are only for women, and explains how this one helped him build strength and flexibility. I love the wood and black design, which would add a natural touch to any home gym.
Drew swears by an adjustable dumbbell set because it saves space while expanding the number of options of weights you have. They are versatile and could easily be tucked away if you didn't have an entire garage to use as a gym.
Part of designing a home gym to maximize a small space is making sure that you include everything you personally need. Drew explains: 'There are some things that can turn a gym from being not quite functional to something perfect for you. For example, when I was having wrist issues, I couldn't do traditional pull-ups because the position hurt my arm and I wasn't great with a full rotation so I just added these straps.' He then shows how this custom equipment allows him to do pull ups in the way that works for his body.
Little, stylized touches make the small room feel like more than a functional space. Drew built speakers into the ceiling that he can control with his phone, which helps him to 'reset his brain,' alongside the physical benefits of a workout. He also had a 'Scott Family Gym' sign custom made for the back wall. It's also important to clean your home gym like you would any other area of your house to keep it looking spic and span.
Finally, the basis of what makes a basement or a garage gym work well is the flooring. Whether you want to upgrade, or just make your home gym look more expensive, Drew recommends starting with a foam base. He says: 'For anybody who's converting their garage into a gym, the ground is an important thing because you don't just want to be working on concrete. This is a sport court type floor it gives you a little bit of flex on the base but it's really strong and I could still drive a vehicle on it if I wanted to and then on top of that, you can see I have all the foam mats here that give me a little bit of cushion.'
Every space has the potential to be beautiful, and contribute design-wise to your home, even the most functional ones. By building a home gym that maximizes space and joy, you will want to spend more time there.
