You've done your research. You found the perfect equipment that fits just right in your garage. You throw on your workout gear, walk out to your garage gym, and instantly melt. Unless you're running a hot yoga studio out of your house, a non-temperature-controlled garage in the heat is just downright uncomfortable.
We'd like to help you remedy that, so even if you're living in the tropics, you can hit all your summer workouts without losing a gallon of sweat before you even start moving.
7 Best Ways To Cool Your Garage Gym
Here are some ways to cool your garage gym, from the cheapest to the most expensive.
1. Box/Floor Fans
Yep, a good old-fashioned box fan can work wonders in changing the feel of a room, even a hot garage. They might not lower the ambient temperature, but they can help evaporate sweat from your skin, which has a cooling effect, making your inferno of a garage feel bearable.
They also have the benefit of being budget friendly, easy to use, portable, and, most importantly, able to be directed at exactly where you want. Doing a set of burpees with a breeze on you is, well, still not enjoyable, but it doesn't suck as bad as doing them in stale hot air. The price is probably the most appealing part for floor fans. You can find a decent floor fan for $50-$200. Not bad for a viable way to cool yourself.
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Related: How To Create A Budget Home Gym
2. Ceiling Fan
The next step up is the gust from above. Ceiling fans help move air throughout the entire space more efficiently than box/floor fans. An overhead fan can help the entire area feel cooler while keeping your electric bill reasonable.
An added benefit is that most ceiling fans can change speeds, as well as the option to reverse the spin for use in the winter. You don't have to lug your fan around anywhere; just turn it on, and you're good to go. The downside is you need to ensure you have ample room on your ceiling for a fan, which, depending on ceiling height, might be tough to squeeze in with the garage door. Price is also a consideration because unless you're pretty handy, you will need to hire an electrician to install it for you.
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3. Proper Insulation
You insulate every other part of your house; why wouldn't the garage be the same? While most garages will have wall and ceiling insulation, many people don't consider making sure the actual garage doors have adequate coverage. Making sure everything is properly insulated helps keep hot air out during the summer and cool air in (a fan of some sort, along with insulation, can work wonders).
Insulating is a great idea, regardless of which method you use to move air. Better insulation will mean savings in energy costs and fewer fluctuations in temperature. This can be especially important in regions with common temperature swings throughout the day. Pricing for proper insulation can vary greatly depending on what needs to be done and local building codes.
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4. Portable AC Unit
Now, we get into some "fancier" options. Before you go down this path, you should do your best to ensure everything is insulated so you're not just throwing money away. That being said, you don't have to insulate, and using one of these will cool down your area considerably more than just a fan.
Portable ACs are available in various sizes, so picking one that will work for your space is extremely important. While they provide more effective cooling than fans, they also need to be positioned somewhere they can vent outside, severely limiting your options on where it can be in your garage gym. While they aren't the most expensive option, they can cost several hundred dollars, and that's not considering the electricity they pull.
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5. Installed AC
This is the Rolls Royce of cooling options for a garage gym, with a price tag to match. Ductless air conditioning systems (aka mini-splits) can cost thousands of dollars to install. The flip side is that most units also can provide heat, meaning you can work out comfortably in your garage during January, even if you live in upper Minnesota. With mini-splits, you can easily keep a consistent temperature with the push of a button. If you already have central air in your house, you can check to see if it would be possible to run it to your garage as well.
The initial cost of these units is undoubtedly high, but for good reason. In return for your investment, you'll get a consistently cool garage with plenty of options to customize the settings to your exact preferences.
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Niche Options
A couple of other options might work for garage gyms, but only in certain situations, so we didn't want to include them in our main list.
6. Window AC Unit
A window air conditioning unit is a middle ground between portable AC units and installed systems. These units are installed in a window or a specially designed slot in the wall.
They provide effective cooling for a relatively low cost and are easy to install (if you're putting them in a double-hung window). Window AC units are more efficient than portable units and don't take up floor space, making them a practical option for smaller garage gyms. They typically come with adjustable settings and remote controls, offering a balance of convenience and performance.
They sound like a great option, except you either need a specific type of window to make this work or be willing to cut a hole in the side of your house to install an air conditioner.
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7. Evaporative Cooler
An evaporative cooler, also known as a swamp cooler, is another option for cooling a garage gym, particularly in dry climates. These devices cool the air by passing hot air through a water-soaked filter, which evaporates and can significantly lower the temperature in a well-ventilated space.
They use less energy than traditional air conditioners and add moisture to the air, which can be beneficial in arid environments. However, if you live in any type of humid climate, these won't do anything except make your space even more unbearable. If you live in Arizona, this might be a viable option. Maybe.
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Wrap Up
Well, there you have it. There are seven possible ways to cool down your garage gym, all of which will fit different budgets. Some other helpful advice: if you can't afford to fully air condition your workout area, adjust your workout times to when the heat is at its lowest. That might mean getting up early or hitting the iron at night. But if you want to be comfortable, some sacrifices must be made. If you can afford to put in some air conditioning, make sure you have adequate insulation. Otherwise, you'll fund your local electric provider's 3rd vacation home.
Want to learn more about outfitting your home gym? Head over to our post How Thick Should Flooring Be For Home Gyms?
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