#21
So you've cleaned out your garage, you've stored extra items and tools in bins, and you're looking at a lot of wood walls and concrete flooring. What other creative things can you do with this extra space in your home that used to just be a pile of junk?
Two words: home. Gym.
Even if you are not into weight-lifting or pumping iron, you can still make a wonderful space for exercising in your garage. Get a little extra ligthing (chances are, your garage is pretty dim.) If you have one or want to buy one, put an elliptical machine or a treadmill in your garage (as far from the garage door as possible). You can place down a few yoga mats to make a space for stretching, pilates, abdominal exercises, or yoga practice. Add a few light dumbbells for arm exercises. Get a small, cheap boom box to plug in so you can rock out out loud. If you want, a little TV with a DVD player can be a great addition so that you can watch exercise videos or dance videos and learn some new moves.
If you decide you want to, the addition of some carpeting can really transform the room. You can do push-ups, crunches, lunges, and more. A large exercise ball is both fun and great for toning muscles.
The great thing about a garage is that it's the perfect size for a small family gym, saving you tons of commuting time and membership fees and adding the privacy you may want for flailing around and working up a sweat. Working out doesn't have to be a scary, pressure-filled event. Just head to the garage, put on some catchy tunes, and get your heart rate going.
The best part? If your garage doesn't face the street directly, you can open the garage doors on nice days and let the sunshine in.