As fitness enthusiasts, we all dream of having a home gym. Who doesn't want to lift some weights and break a sweat in the comfort of their own home?
But for those of us who live in multi-story houses, the idea of putting a weight bench upstairs can be a bit daunting. After all, we don't want to turn our ceiling into a floor.
But fear not, amigo, because the answer is yes, you can put a weight bench upstairs — with the proper structure in place. Let's go through some steps to make sure your home gym doesn't become a wrecking ball.
First things first, let's make sure your floor can handle the weight of your gainz. Sure, you might be able to bench a hundred pounds, but can your floor? Check your blueprints or hire a structural engineer to give you the green light.
If you have an older home, the loading may not be up to modern standards (which is 30 lbs per square foot). It’s also important to consider the type of loading. There’s a difference between weight resting on the floor and dropping big weights on the floor. If you’re planning to bench press upstairs, you’ll likely be ok (again, check with an engineer) but deadlifting could be another story.
Now that you've got the okay to start building your home gym, it's time to choose your equipment.
Don't just go out and buy the biggest and heaviest equipment you can find. Consider the size and weight of your equipment and the type of flooring you have. You don't want to create a new sinkhole in your house.
Most home workout warriors aren’t going to bench press 1,000 lbs and can get away with a lighter Adjustable Utility Bench rather than a burly Hero Heavy-Duty Weight Bench. If you’re planning an upstairs home gym setup, try to go light and streamlined. If you want a power rack and the whole shebang, it’s worth rethinking your space.You don't want to be in the bad books with your partner because of damaged flooring. Get some Premium Rubber Flooring to protect your floor and reduce noise so you don't hear the sound of your weights hitting the ground from the next county.
Nobody likes an unsecured piece of equipment that moves around while you're working out. You don't want to create a makeshift Slip 'N Slide with your weights. Make sure to secure your equipment to the wall or floor, use Barbell Collars to keep weights in place, and don't forget about mats. We get it, you're a beast in the gym, and you want everyone to know it. But your downstairs neighbors might not appreciate the sound of you dropping your weights on the floor at 3 AM.
Rubber Flooring can help dampen the sounds of your strenuous efforts, but it’s also important to have a great storage system in place so you aren’t tempted to drop your weights on the floor. Invest in a Weight Tree And Bar Holder, and clean up after yourself. Geez.
To wrap it up, with a bit of forethought and attention, you can set up your home gym upstairs without creating a hole in your ceiling or your wallet. Start building your dream workout space, but make sure to keep things safe and sound, like a stealthy ninja.
