Blog: What to Do With Your Home Gym When You’re Moving or Downsizing

A home gym seems to come together with time. Maybe it started with a yoga mat and a few dumbbells and now it’s a gym for two with a treadmill, a weight bench and a bike. 

If your gym is set up exactly how you want it and now it’s time for a move, this can feel daunting. You know you don’t want to get rid of your equipment, but where can it go? There are so many scenarios where a home gym might need to be stored for a lengthy period of time. Relocation and moving to a smaller apartment for a short time for work, traveling abroad and renting your home, downsizing, moving in with a partner, moving out of a home. It’s endless. 

A storage unit is a great option to keep your home gym safe and secure. 

Even if you don’t plan on keeping the equipment and you want to sell it or give it to someone else, you still need to store it while you make those arrangements. 

Home gym equipment is heavy, and in some cases sensitive to temperature and humidity. Here’s what to consider when picking your unit:

• Find the right size. Do you have a full setup like a treadmill, weight bench, squat rack, free weights? Or a smaller collection of dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, etc. Only pay for the space you need. 
• Choose climate control. If your equipment has a digital display, you don’t want to expose it to very cold or very hot temperatures. Electronics can malfunction, rubber can degrade and metal can rust if conditions aren’t right. A climate-controlled unit keeps your equipment in its best condition. 
• Think about access. If there’s a chance you’ll want to grab a few items during your transition, organize your unit with that in mind. 

As well, be sure to do some general prep before storing:

• Wipe everything down. Sweat and moisture left on equipment can lead to rust, odor and material breakdown over time. A quick wipe with a disinfectant cloth makes all the difference. 
• Disassemble what you can. Folding treadmills should be stored folded. Weight benches often break into smaller pieces. Remove the bar from a squat rack to make transport and storage easier. Keep all bolts, screws and small hardware in labeled bags taped directly to the equipment so nothing gets lost in the move.
• Use rubber mats to your advantage. Lay your gym flooring mats down on the storage unit floor to protect the unit’s surface, give your equipment a stable base.
• Store weights low and flat. Free weights and plates should always go on the floor. Never stacked. Dumbbells and smaller items can go into bins to keep things organized.
• Protect padded and painted surfaces. Wrap benches and machines with blankets to prevent scratches during transport and while in storage.

Whether you’re between homes, waiting on a renovation, or just figuring out where everything will land in a new layout, a storage unit gives you the room to make decisions on your own time. 

At Guardian Storage, we offer climate-controlled units, flexible month-to-month rentals, and a free moving truck and carts and dollies to make the whole process easier on you. Our team is always happy to help you figure out the right size and setup for your specific situation.

Visit guardianstorage.com or give us a call at 1-888-373-RENT. Your gym worked hard for you, let us help you take care of it.