Steps on refinishing a shed to become a home gym.

Submitted by PM_ME_INSIDER_INFO t3_11css19 in DIY

Hey all! My wife and I recently purchased a house in Westchester, NY, which came with a shed in the backyard as an addition. It hasn't been used in a while, and isn't in perfect condition. However, it's also not in terrible condition. The roof doesn't leak, and there's no moisture inside, even during huge weather events.

What I'm hoping to do with it, is to turn it into a home gym. I don't know much about this kind of work, but am going to try to hire the right people to help me accomplish this. Currently I see a few things that need to be done:

  1. Permitting (not even sure if this shed is permitted, but if we pour slab I believe permitting is a requirements in Westchester County).
  2. Brick flooring is uneven, I think there's no real foundation, so I think we'd want to pour a 4" slab. Need it to be strong enough for doing deadlifts, etc.
  3. I don't know anything about framing, but the framing strikes me as primitive, or something we'd need to potentially reinforce if we are going to insulate + drywall.
  4. Insulate + drywall + hire an electrician (there's already electric).
  5. Freestanding heating/cooling unit, probably embedded where the side window is.
  6. I don't think we will want to keep the garage door, but rather replace with a standard door + some windows. I have no idea where this would fit into the process—is this done first or last, or somewhere in between?

Would love some general advice on whether this sounds reasonable. Going to start finding contractors locally and getting some price quotes soon, but I want to have it in mind what actually needs to be done here so I feel a bit more prepared.

Shed front/right: https://i.imgur.com/7tdyLg1.jpg
Shed front: https://i.imgur.com/mcEy4LO.jpg
Shed inside (brick flooring): https://i.imgur.com/LJUUBcQ.jpg
Shed ceiling from within: https://i.imgur.com/6sM2zyT.jpg

Thanks for any help, happy to answer any questions in the comments below. :)

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Comments

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blacklassie t1_ja4w53x wrote

It’s difficult to asses from a few pictures, but it might actually be more cost effective to demolish and rebuild from scratch.

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farox t1_ja4zlrc wrote

Check the bylaws though. Might be grandfathered in

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blacklassie t1_ja58592 wrote

Agreed. I should have mentioned that looking into permitting is important. If the existing shed is grandfathered in, some jurisdictions will allow you to replace with the same dimensions with prior approval.

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Popeye_01 t1_ja699cm wrote

  1. Screw the permits.2. There are many outdoor gyms on compacted ground. Just keep brick, level and add rubber mats. 3. Add 2x4 to make it 16 oc.4. Get insulation and drywall in Home Depot and put it in yourself. If electrical is good, no need to mess with it. 5. Add small spar heater and cheap fans. 6. Keep door and open for fresh air when working out.
    In conclusion, it’s a workout space to bust some reps and make some gains, so make it useable. Invest some dough once you decide to live in it or rent it out.
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plaidtuxedo t1_ja6nd6r wrote

Normally I don’t agree with “screw the permits” but yeah as a “trade professional” who has done plenty of work in Westchester (Tarrytown, Larchmont, Irvington, elsewhere)… don’t get a permit. It’s a bigger headache by far than anywhere else I’ve ever worked.

Throw some PT 2x4 flat 16” on center in the floor, fill the space between with 1.5” thick foam insulation sheets, cover with 5 mil plastic sheeting to keep moisture down, and cover with 2 layers of subfloor, seams offset. It’s a classic garage workshop method and it’s worked well for me. I don’t deadlift in the shop, but it’s good on my knees and it doesn’t bow under my 3,000 pound table saw. It’ll handle deadlifting fine, especially if you had a horse stall mat in an area.

Put Rock wool insulation in the walls so you don’t have to worry about moisture issues, and sheetrock. Add an electric heater and some fans, you don’t need to spend on a heat pump or PTAC unit, as others have said - it’s a gym. Keep it warm enough and use fans, breeze, and the big open garage door to cool off in summer

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jtmarshiii t1_ja6ppzg wrote

sheetrock will get wet and mold? Marine plywood maybe. You can mount stuff anywhere on the wall.

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jtmarshiii t1_ja6pkb8 wrote

I wouldn't do drywall... to open and leaky. It will stay wet and mold. Rock wool insulation and a marine grade plywood walls so mounting things anywhere is easy.

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Unable_Wrongdoer2250 t1_ja5pyza wrote

Don't forget about airflow so look into getting some big windows

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jtmarshiii t1_ja6p4zw wrote

Garage door not big enough for air flow for you?

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robkwittman t1_ja6p7hc wrote

No recommendations on construction. However, I started remodeling my unheated garage last year (NY as well) and this is the first winter I’ve worked out in there. Please don’t forget how cold it gets. I thought “eh, I’ll work up a sweat and won’t mind”. Boy was I wrong. It gets so cold the barbells feel like frostbite after a set of 12. Insulate, plan on heating, and make sure any gaps are filled in

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__MW t1_ja6mm68 wrote

Keep the garage door. You will regret not being able to open that in your gym on nice days

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Howard_Campbell t1_ja602tm wrote

I think it's worth saving but it's going to cost more than you think.

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MisterIntentionality t1_ja80wkk wrote

More than likely you will need a 18'' slab in NY, a 4'' is more like for patios, not for foundations for building structures. Also given the weather in that area you are going to need something that is going to stand up to the cold and snow.

I personally would start by having some people come out and quote me for a new foundation, because you ain't going to do that yourself, it's too much concrete, and then you will get some professional ideas of options you have.

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Schly t1_ja5yqvt wrote

I’m not the guy to ask but I have a suggestion for some of the guys that might know?

What if you break out the current brick floor internally to the current walls, then prep and pour a good concrete foundation.

Then you could build 2x4 wall structures inside what’s already there and insulate in between?

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jtmarshiii t1_ja6pbf4 wrote

Start doing structure and now you'll need to pull permits... at that time the hasle to do all that it would be best to remove it and start over. Its a gym Jim.

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BreakingBadYo t1_ja6zpyj wrote

You’ve got a great start for a gym. I’d leave the garage door and add a door with full length window on the side visible from the house. Maybe use interlocking foam flooring. Add a space heater or two for heat. Put in a mini split AC. I’m liking the marine grade plywood if you have to have some.

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