Last Updated on October 17, 2024 by lindseymahoney
When we began planning our unfinished basement makeover, it was important to create a designated area for a home gym. I was excited to have all of the exercise equipment away from the kids’ play area but also easily accessible.
Before the unfinished basement makeover, it was a typical creepy basement. The basement space was dark, dirty, and not a place where we wanted to hang out. It definitely became the dumping ground for unwanted items.
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Table of Contents
- Unfinished Basement Home Gym Before
- Unfinished Basement Home Gym Ideas
- 1 | Create a Defined Area for All Workout Equipment
- 2 | Update Basement Lighting
- 3 | Paint Everything
- 4 | Accessorize the Home Gym Space
- 5 | Add Equipment to Your Home Gym
- Materials and Products Used in the Home Gym
- More Content You Will Love
Unfinished Basement Home Gym Before
Here are my top tips for creating a workout space in your basement without spending a fortune.
Unfinished Basement Home Gym Ideas
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1 | Create a Defined Area for All Workout Equipment
Before the renovation project, the home gym equipment was in the same area as the kids’ play area.
Along with being a safety hazard, I was always concerned that the kids would break the stationary bike!
I chose the back corner of our unfinished basement so that the kids did not have to walk through the heavy equipment to get to their toys.
There is something about having all of the gym equipment set up in a specific area that makes it feel like a REAL gym!
I created 4 designated spaces in our unfinished basement, including a storage area that is hidden by two walls (we added) and a pocket door.
The new home gym area shares one of the new drywall walls which creates a nice pocket of the basement that is the perfect size.
2 | Update Basement Lighting
There is nothing more uninviting than a bare bulb hanging in an unfinished basement!
We hired an electrician to add a few can lights throughout the basement that connect to a light switch. Overhead lighting is a huge factor in making a space feel livable when there is little to no natural light.
While the electricians were at our home, we asked them to add a few outlets to the new walls for the storage room. With concrete basement walls, our unfinished basement did not have any wall outlets, so adding a few makes such a difference!
If it is not in your budget to add can lights, hanging string lights across the ceiling is an inexpensive option and great choice.
3 | Paint Everything
Paint is the best way to update a space when you have a tight budget!
First, I sprayed the exposed basement ceiling black and it turned out incredible. I used Valspar 2000 flat black paint on the ceiling and only applied a single coat. The ceiling height varies in this workout area, and a uniform color really gave the ceiling a finished look.
Next, I applied a fresh coat of white paint on the concrete walls and the entire basement felt bright and clean.
Finally, I painted the basement floor a light gray. One of my big issues with working out in the basement before the makeover was the fear of bugs crawling on me! With the fresh coat of paint on the floors I can easily see anything that might come my way. They look so clean, too!
4 | Accessorize the Home Gym Space
We used an old TV and hung it on the new wall that enclosed the storage room. This TV is separate from the main television where the kids play video games and watch TV and it is perfect for Peloton workouts.
When our kitchen was renovated, I saved the large mirrors behind the old wet bar and reused them in our home basement gym. The two large mirrors are a great addition to the workout room and it cost us zero dollars to reuse them!
Because the floors are concrete, we added rubber mats to the home gym area. It is great to have that extra padding for floor workouts and to cushion the weights when they hit the ground.
5 | Add Equipment to Your Home Gym
I love that we have one designated area for all of the different equipment we use for our exercise routine.
On the new wall, I added hooks to hold resistance bands and a small shelving unit to hold Peloton shoes and towels.
This previously unused space now comfortably holds a strength training machine with a pull-up bar, a bench press, and free weights. We also hung a punching bag and climbing rope from the exposed ceiling.
The kids love to climb the rope and ring the bell, it is a fun addition to the space. Our creepy basement has come a long way with a few simple changes.
Materials and Products Used in the Home Gym
- Ceiling Paint
- Floor Paint
- Punching bag
- Peloton
- Floor mats
- Climbing rope
- Yoga Mat
With a little bit of elbow grease and a lot of paint, you too can create your own gym in an unfinished basement without spending a fortune. I hope these simple tips inspire you to create a motivating workout area in your home!
Good luck!