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Working out in your garage gym can be a convenient way to stay active and fit, but it can become a hot and uncomfortable place, especially in the summer months.
However, you only need to take a few simple steps to ensure your garage gym stays cool and comfortable allowing you to continue your workouts even on the hottest days, without risking heat exhaustion and dehydration.
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In this article we’ll look at several ways that will show you how to cool a garage gym and keep it comfortable whether it’s the summer or winter months, from investing in a fan to utilizing reflective materials there are many good options for you to choose from.
Keep reading to learn how to beat the heat and keep your workouts going all summer.
Suggestions On How To Cool A Garage Gym
No matter what the size of your garage, there are several ways that you could consider reducing both the temperature and humidity of your own garage gym.
Invest in a Fan
There are many powerful fans on the market, and if you want to lower the temperature of your gym and provide a constant flow of cool air this is an easy way of achieving that.
What’s more a good fan will even help to minimise odors associated with sweat.
Depending on the space you have available could impact what kind of fan you choose, and these can range from a tower fan, floor fans right through to industrial fans.
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A great option would be to install a ceiling fan as not only will this reduce the temperature helping to keep your body cool it can even evaporate excess moisture, which can quickly build up when training in a small space.
A top tip would be to place a bucket of ice water in front of the fan which can cool the air drastically. As the warm air passes over the cold ice it absorbs the heat and the ice melts.
Try two of three 2 litre frozen water bottles and see how you get on!
Maximize Air Circulation
Ensuring your garage gym has good air circulation is the easiest way to lower the temperature.
Opening the garage door and windows or installing a venting system can all help to increase ventilation in your garage gym.
When you open the garage’s windows, cold air can flow in and the hot, humid air can escape, making for a much more comfortable environment.
However, it’s worth considering where you live. If you happen to live in an area which has particularly high humidity, then this may not be sufficient.
Train at Cooler Times of the Day
Irrespective of where you live, training at either early morning or evening can be helpful by avoiding the hottest parts of the day.
Training first thing also has other benefits including improved sleep and a boost to your metabolism helping you to burn more calories throughout the day.
Utilize a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is a great purchase if you want to keep your garage gym cool.
These are designed to lower your garage’s humidity, which helps keep the temperature low.
They also help to reduce condensation which can protect your gym equipment from corrosion and also limit the chance of mold growth.
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Dehumidifiers come in several sizes.
The best option for a small garage would be a wall mounted version. If you’re lucky enough to have a large garage gym, then you could consider a portable option.
The expense of running a larger dehumidifier is higher, but you can reduce humidity in a larger space if required.
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Install Air Conditioning
Installing air conditioning is the most effective option when it comes to regulating the temperature.
Air conditioning can provide a consistent level of cooling, allowing gym users to maintain a comfortable temperature while they exercise.
Additionally, air conditioning can help reduce humidity levels in the space, creating a more comfortable environment.
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Air conditioning can also help purify the air in the space, reducing dust and pollen levels which can cause allergies or other respiratory issues.
However, it is one of the more expensive ways of maintaining a cool temperature.
As with the dehumidifier, these can be affixed to a wall, or you can choose a portable air conditioner.
Install Insulation
You might consider installing insulation if you have a particularly large garage with high ceilings.
This can be a good idea for anyone who wants to keep their garage cool and save money on their energy bills.
Insulation is designed to trap the cool air in your garage, keeping it at a much cooler temperature.
What’s more, if you live in a cold climate, it can prevent warm air from escaping in the colder months.
Insulation is available in a range of thicknesses and materials, with thick fiberglass being the most effective to retain cool or warm air.
The thicker the insulation, the more effective it is.
Utilize Reflective Materials
Making use of reflective materials can really help to keep cool air contained in a small space such as a garage.
This means if you use something like a fan or a portable AC unit, you can minimise its use.
Reflective material is another form of insulation but instead of absorbing the heat it would reflect heat away.
An example of a good use of this is to paint the outside of the garage white to reflect heat while painting the inside a darker colour such a black which is shown to absorb heat.
This would maximise the natural cooling effect
Drawbacks of Working Out in the Heat
If you’ve no plans to incorporate any sort of cooling system into your garage gym and quite enjoy working out in higher temperatures, whilst there may be some benefits to working out in extreme heat, there are also some drawbacks worth considering.
Exhaustion
If you work out in a particularly hot atmosphere for a sustained period of time and fail to keep yourself properly hydrated, you’ll quickly suffer ill effects by way of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
If you become light heated or nauseous, stop training straight away and get some electrolytes into your body to replenish lost fluids and minerals.
Dehydration
Working out usually results in sweating, in a hotter space this means even more sweating.
Losing more fluid than you take in means you run the risk of becoming dehydrated.
In extreme cases, this means you’re body can’t function as it should. It’s important to avoid this by consuming sufficient amounts of water.
Consider adding some electrolytes to rebalance your PH levels and improve hydration.
Uncomfortable
Many people will simply find working out in a hot and humid environment unpleasant.
This in turn could have a negative impact on achieving your workout goals. If you don’t enjoy it, you’re more likely to put it off.
May Increase Blood Pressure
For the average person working out, a rise in blood pressure is normal.
However, if you already have a pre-existing problem with high blood pressure, training in a very hot environment should be avoided.
This is because training typically increases a person’s heart rate which in turn rises BP levels.
Benefits of Working Out in the Heat
Working out in high temperatures can be beneficial for some people, let’s look at some of these advantages below
Burn More Calories
When working out in a hotter environment your body will work need to work harder to cool down you.
This in turn does burn more calories but not necessarily body fat. If the heat is particularly extreme, this also means you’re not likely to sustain training for a significant period.
So, whilst, it can give a boost to calorie burning doesn’t rely on it too much for getting rid of stubborn fat.
Improve Endurance
Due to additional stress on the body when compared to working out in a more average temperatures, this can help to improve endurance levels allowing you to sustain your workouts for a longer period as you acclimate to these high temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Method Will Cost The Least To Cool A Garage?
The cheapest way to cool your garage is to make use of fan. The type and size of fan you install would depend upon the size of your space with bigger garages requiring a large fan.
As mentioned, ceiling fans are a great option to keep your gym floor clear for your workout equipment.
How Do You Ventilate A Hot Garage?
Ventilating a hot garage can be done in several ways. The most effective way is to install an exhaust fan. This fan will draw the hot air out of the garage, allowing cooler air to enter its place.
The fan must be connected to an outlet with a circuit breaker and have a fan speed control switch in order to function properly. Additionally, it’s crucial to make sure the fan is mounted properly so it can take air from the entire garage.
Does Working Out In A Hot Garage Burn More Calories?
Working out in a hot garage may increase calorie burn. This is because when exposed to extreme temperatures, your body has to work harder to cool itself.
Your body tries to stay cool by increasing the rate of your heartbeat and breathing. The increased heart rate and respiration rate lead to an increased calorie burn. Additionally, when your body is exposed to heat, it causes you to sweat more, which helps cool your body down.
Does Hot Weather Affect Gym Performance?
Yes, hot weather can affect gym performance. When it’s hot outside, the body must work harder to regulate its temperature, which can reduce the amount of energy available for physical activity. However, with regular training in hot temperature, your body will eventually acclimate essentially making your workouts more efficient.
Should Gyms Be Hot Or Cold?
The ideal temperature range for most commercial gyms is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll likely find it’s not extreme either way. This is because a gym will want to maintain a constant suitable temperate to avoid their members suffering from things such as heat stroke (if too hot) or muscle injury (if too cold).
Conclusion
During the hottest months of the year, it can be difficult to stay cool and comfortable while you’re working out especially in confined spaces such as garages gyms.
Whilst working out in hotter spaces can have its benefits, most people will want to regulate the temperature so they can complete their workouts in comfortable conditions.
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