So, you’ve been thinking of putting up a gym set up in your home but can’t figure out what the best space for this setup would be.
You live in an apartment and there is no basement, all the rooms are already occupied, and you keep racking your brain till it hits you: The balcony!
The balcony is basically free space. And sure, we ‘ve all dreamt of putting up chairs out, setting up a few plants, and sipping tea while staring out on the horizon.
But the reality is you don’t really use your balcony that much, and there could be any number of reasons!
From the view consisting of dull buildings to the outside weather being unbearable to just being too lazy to make tea every day and set up chairs. Therefore, why not just make it into a gym?
Brilliant idea, and here’s how you can go about it:
How To Convert a Balcony into a Gym?
Once you’ve made up your mind about wanting a gym on your balcony, just take some help from the guidelines below, and soon enough, the process will be underway!
Construct A Plan
First of all, you need to gauge the size of your balcony. Balconies can be small or big, and even though you can fit in some workout equipment in even the smallest balconies, it will help to plan it out first.
Make sure you have a vision of what you want in terms of equipment, flooring, ventilation, etc. Figure out if you want an outdoorsy gym or something more covered and indoors.
We personally prefer an indoor environment from where you can look over the rest of the city. So a covered gym with glass doors or windows, essentially.
You can take inspiration from Pinterest blogs and YouTube videos where people are undertaking similar projects. Draw it out if you can and have your plan ready to be discussed when you take it to the next step:
Find A Contractor
You need to find a good contractor who can make your dream of the perfect home gym a reality. The best way to go about finding a contractor is by shopping for one.
Do not settle on the first person you find, no matter how enticing they seem. Find a few options and discuss the details of your plan with all of them.
See which one is ready to offer you the exact layout that you are looking for, and that’s your contractor!
Get The Equipment
What will really make your home gym exactly what you want it to be is the equipment. Now, you need to be really smart when picking out the equipment for your gym.
Remember to optimize the space; accordingly, most balconies are not huge and cannot fit all the equipment you have in mind.
Remember to get in a balanced ratio of strength machines and cardio machines. If you have a small balcony, you do not need both the treadmill and the Stairmaster.
Just the treadmill will be more than enough, and then you can look at other machines to work your arms and legs.
Other than that, remember that you should make space for a manual workout as well. Dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, skipping ropes, and all such equipment are essential for a comprehensive, full-body workout.
You should not rely on just the machines to get you there. Stack all your manual workout equipment in a corner and use it whenever you need it.
Also, remember to make your equipment choices as simple as possible. Since the balcony will essentially be an outdoors environment even if it is covered up, the chances of the equipment getting damaged because of the weather, or the humidity are much higher than they would be indoors.
If it rains and a small droplet of water makes its way into an electronic machine, you might be looking at some serious damage, whether you like it or not!
Therefore, remember that simplicity is key, and you should not go for electronic, professional-grade equipment unless you are completely sure that it will be safe from environmental damage.
Lastly, remember that you will be working out at home, probably in an apartment, and you will not have the same liberties you commonly have in a gym.
This means that you will need to cap the weight you use on your barbells etc., since throwing them down will create a lot of noise that will disturb your neighbors.
You should plan the equipment out when you are in the planning stages for the gym, so you don’t do any impulse buying and stick to just the essentials that you want to keep. Remember to keep it concise.
Put Up a Screen
You might initially believe that a screen is not important to save up on costs, but believe us, the screen will elevate the experience immensely.
For example, you want to work out but don’t really know where to start. You put up tutorials on your phone, but the screen is too small, and you are having a much harder time following the tutorial than you initially believed. Also, the sound is too muffled as well.
In this scenario, having a decently sized screen in your balcony gym will solve all your problems. You can put up any tutorial you want to follow, and it will be easier to watch from wherever you are!
The sound will also be much better, and you will be able to follow the instructions with complete ease.
If you have a set workout routine and don’t really need to watch tutorials, the screen could be entertainment for you while you work out.
You can put up music, a movie, or a show that you have been meaning to follow while you get the best home-workout of your life!
Possible Concerns with Having a Gym in Your Balcony
While in theory having a balcony gym sounds like a great idea, let’s not forget that there are some discrepancies we need to take care of.
Because the gym and all your equipment will essentially be exposed to more outdoor elements, there are some causes for concern there. For example:
Extreme Weather Conditions
Thanks to climate change and global warming, weather all across the world has become increasingly unpredictable. We genuinely have no idea what we will be experiencing the next day since the predictions are all over the place!
So, if your balcony gym has any openings whatsoever, and there is an onslaught of water, too much heat, or snow and frost, you might be in for some serious cleanups.
Not only does the equipment damage become a real possibility if extreme weather becomes more frequent, but you might also just regret the whole idea entirely!
So, make sure that the area is well-covered, and that no raindrops or snow can get inside the gym.
Other than that, if there is too much heat outside when you are working out, you would want to use a lot of sunscreens to prevent any skin damage.
Lastly, if possible, make sure that the gym is well-ventilated and there is enough crossing of air that you don’t feel suffocated when you are working out either.
Privacy
If you have a balcony gym because you enjoy the idea of working outside, you should make arrangements for the privacy concern as well.
If your apartment is really high up and no one can really see you, you’re probably good! But if you are bent in awkward positions, and your neighbor catches a glimpse, you might feel at least a little awkward when you see them by the elevator!
So make sure that you have this angle covered. If possible, you can use plants or some equipment to block the views inside your balcony, or you can put up light curtains as well. If nothing else, you can switch to workouts that do not require awkward bending.
Low Weights
Some of us balcony gym people really like lifting heavy. And while it’s great to be lifting heavy, you might just put a hole in the ground if you are not careful! Remember:
There are certain limitations to home gyms that do not apply to regular gyms, and it would serve you well to abide by them.
So when choosing how much you should lift, try to keep the weights to 250 lbs. or below to preserve the integrity of your balcony.
Conclusion
Converting your balcony into a gym is a brilliant idea and very much possible. In fact, you will find inspiration to do exactly this all over the internet as well.
Remember to hire an experienced contractor and go through your entire plan with them in thorough detail.
Also, remember that there will be certain limitations to the kind of gym that you want, and you should not exceed the limitations in terms of space or capacity. All in all, you will likely be left with a stellar space!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a balcony be converted into a gym?
Yes, a balcony can be converted into a gym. With some creativity and planning, you can optimize the space to accommodate your fitness equipment and create a functional workout area.
What equipment is needed to convert a balcony into a gym?
The equipment needed to convert a balcony into a gym depends on your fitness goals and preferences.
Some essential equipment includes a yoga mat, resistance bands, dumbbells, and a stability ball.
You can also consider adding a cardio machine like a stationary bike or treadmill, depending on the size of your balcony.
How can I maximize space when converting a balcony into a gym?
To maximize space, you can consider investing in equipment that can be easily stored when not in use, such as resistance bands and dumbbells.
You can also use wall-mounted storage solutions to keep your equipment organized and out of the way.
Additionally, you can consider multi-functional equipment, such as a stability ball that can be used for strength and balance exercises.
What are some safety considerations when converting a balcony into a gym?
Safety is crucial when converting a balcony into a gym. Make sure your balcony can support the weight of your equipment and that your equipment is secure and stable.
Additionally, you should ensure that there is enough space to move around freely and that the flooring is slip-resistant.
Finally, make sure to keep your balcony clean and free of clutter to avoid any potential hazards.
How much does it cost to convert a balcony into a gym?
The cost of converting a balcony into a gym depends on the equipment you choose and the extent of the renovation.
You can start with basic equipment and gradually add more as your budget allows. Additionally, you can consider DIY solutions to save money, such as building your own storage solutions.
What are some creative ways to incorporate cardio equipment on a balcony gym?
If you have limited space, you can consider using compact cardio equipment like a mini stepper or jump rope.
You can also opt for equipment that can be easily stored, such as a foldable treadmill or exercise bike.
Finally, you can also incorporate outdoor cardio activities like running or cycling into your balcony gym routine.
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