Garage Gym in MN: Worth Insulating?

getfamiliar · Jan 5, 2013

Garage Gym in MN: Need Insulation Ideas!

I am in the process of setting up a small gym for myself in the smaller of our two garages. The garage is attached to the house as you can see below, but there are no heat vents leading to it.

Dimensions inside are 12' wide by 20' long. The height of the peak is 14', running down to 5' at the rear. I'll post a couple more pics shortly.

I'm in MN, and it's currently 11 degrees F. The question is - is it worth it to insulate the garage or should I just spring for a big propane heater (w/low O2 sensor) and run it as needed?

getfamiliar · Jan 5, 2013

Here's a side view...

RCStocker · Jan 5, 2013

Your question is a no brainer. Insulate the walls and celing and then dry wall it. You will need to make sure you have good seals around the garage door. It will make a huge difference.
If you are not going to use the space as a garage I would take the garage door off and fill in the space with a wall, window and door and turn the space into a room. If you have another garage and don't need the space I would turn it into a room.

Exercise wquipment is so cheap. Most thrift stores will not take it. It is very hard to sell. You can find anything you want for a few hundred dollars for an entire gym

Ray916MN · Jan 5, 2013

I've worked on projects in an uninsulated garage with a propane heater with a low O2 sensor and it ***** compared to working in an insulated garage heated with electric or with a properly vented heater. Enough time always eventually made me feel like a headache was coming on. Can't imagine working out in a garage with a propane heater which isn't externally vented.

FWIW

jvitez · Jan 5, 2013

Insulate! And weatherstrip/air seal/vapour barrier everything as required. For such a small space you'll find you'll only need a small amount to make it comfortable while you're sweating. And if insulated you won't cook in the hot/humid MN winters either. Insulation keeps you cool in summer/warm in winter. Do it!

Big-Foot · Jan 5, 2013

Welcome to GJ...

Yeah, I'm with the other guys on the vapor barrier and insulation. Dry wall is optional, but would be a good idea to keep things tidy...
Mght also think about a false (raised) floor...

flippin · Jan 5, 2013

In addition to what has been said, working out is already difficulty enough to maintain. You don't need any excuses like a cold smelly gym to help you succumb to your desire to sleep a little longer. The money you spent completing this project can serve as a motivator. Pin-up the receipt to serve as a reminder or a picture of the new tools which you will reward yourself with if you follow through with your objectives.

My vote is of course to convert the space. Good Luck and don't give up.

getfamiliar · Jan 5, 2013

We have been in the house a little less than a year. Never considered enclosing it and making it a room, that's a cool idea! We have more space than we need at the moment but i'll keep that in my back pocket for down the road.

Alright, you gents have twisted my arm on the insulation - here I thought i could get off going the easy route... Your input is greatly appreciated.

I'll try to get a Garage Gallery thread going soon. I have an interesting garage situation for being in the middle of a metro area. I'm also not terribly experienced in the handyman arts, so picking your collective brain will be fantastic.

Sureshot · Jan 5, 2013

Also an insulated door will make a huge difference. Might want to look for a garage sale ceiling fan with those tall ceilings as well. Don't forget to run plenty of plugs for you cardio machines if that is in the plan.

Randy in Maine · Jan 5, 2013

Question...

How do you heat the attached house?

wedge40 · Jan 5, 2013

getfamiliar said:
We have more space than we need at the moment but i'll keep that in my back pocket for down the road.

Am I the only one who laughed out loud when I read this?

Wedge

getfamiliar · Jan 5, 2013

Randy in Maine said:
Question...

How do you heat the attached house?

It's a central air/furnace unit.

The garage door is already insulated. A friend had most of a roll of R-13 and gave it to me. I cut it to fit and taped it up using foil tape.

Randy in Maine · Jan 5, 2013

Welcome to the joys of home ownership!!

I assume money is kind of tight for you right now.

If it were me, I think I would try to get some R-19 (or better) at least in the roof and would cover that with 6 mil poly. When you get more dough, do the same to the exterior walls (you may have to go to something less in the walls if you have 2x4 s there). Then the same 6 mil poly.

When you get more dough, you could run 2"' of foam over all of that ceiling and the exterior walls (taping the joints) and that will greatly help both winter and summer.

I would also be investigating to see if I could get a house heat/AC vent run out there from the central heat source. That would be better than a space heater (and would give you air in the summer).

Randy in Maine · Jan 5, 2013

And you can do all of that with just a decent utility knife, a straight edge and a good stapler. A buddy helps.

getfamiliar · Jan 15, 2013

What do you guys think for a ventilation strategy? Currently there is nothing. Here's what I'm working with...

There is no rear soffit. I added the foam just because i had some extra in a can and there was a small gap between the wood and the tar paper covering the rear (under vinyl siding).

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

There's an opening above the door, but no soffit or ventilation of any sort - just some wiring running to the door light outside.

I was researching putting baffles up and a ridge vent, but does that make sense if there are no soffits?

bdamico · Jan 16, 2013

You guys are all missing the point. And are all giving wrong information. Rocky didn't need any insulation to train for his fight against Ivan Drago. Remember. He was soft and had to go out and rough it in order to be ready.

getfamiliar · Feb 23, 2013

Alright all of the walls are insulating and i am planning to do the 6 mil poly soon.

On the vent, I'm definitely going to do a ridge vent. Here's my question:

Do I need to put baffles up in the ceiling and insulate over them and right up to the ridge?

Or am I better off with no baffles, insulate up near the ridge and put some 2x4's parallel to the ridge up near the peak and leave a short bit of "exposed" ceiling near the ridge with no insulation over it?

rossbeef87 · Feb 26, 2013

I'm in the middle of converting my garage into a gym. I have a 24'x24' detached pole barn style garage. After working on cars in there with a propane style torpedo heater and experiencing the burning eyes after 30 minutes of it being on the decision to insulate, drywall and add a small ceiling mount furnace was an absolute no brainer. Although I'm $650 deep in insulation and drywall the peace of mind and my warm joints will appreciate it during heavy squats for many years to come. Its your home. Actually its your man cave. Make it nice.

Garage Gym in MN: Worth Insulating?

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