From Living Room to Home Gym

After months of working out in my living room, something clicked: I needed my own dedicated space. The living room was functional, yes, but it was crowded, full of distractions, and limited in what I could do. I wanted freedom — freedom to move, lift, stretch, and build a full routine without worrying about bumping into furniture or downward dogging over the actual dog. That’s how my garage gym was born.

Motivation for the Move

The decision wasn’t about vanity or aesthetics, it still isn’t. It was about environment and habit. I had learned firsthand that environment shapes behavior. When my workouts were confined to a shared space, excuses crept in. Now, by carving out a dedicated space, I was creating a stage where showing up wasn’t optional — it was part of the day’s rhythm.

Building My Setup

Using what Bryan and I have accumulated over the years

• Dumbbells: One 10lb set, one 5lb set, One 20lb set

• Barbell: adjustable in weight that could also become a dumbbell

• Yoga mat for stretching and floor work

• Foam roller

• A homemade wood platform for cardio and functional exercises

Special Shout Out Pieces from Aldi: Kettlebells - a set of 5, 10 and 15lbs; 20lbs Slam ball, Weight Bench, Floor tiles, 1lb ankle weights, and pushup handles.

Space Evolution

The first few weeks were an experiment. Some exercises needed more space, some equipment felt awkward in certain corners. I adjusted as I went — the beauty of having your own space is that you can customize until it works perfectly for you.

Peloton’s variety of strength, yoga, and stretching classes fit naturally into this new environment, making the transition seamless.

Rituals That Make It Stick

The habits I built in my living room carried over seamlessly. Every night, I’d prep my tea, pick the next day’s Peloton workout, and lay out my clothes. Mornings were smooth — I rolled out of bed, no excuses, no friction, ready to go. The garage gym just made it easier to honor those rituals with space and intention.

Reflection

Moving from the living room to the garage was more than a physical shift — it was mental. I was creating a space where commitment and consistency weren’t just encouraged; they were inevitable. The garage gym became a sanctuary, a place to push, recover, and grow, all on my terms.

Peloton had given me the programming. Atomic Habits had given me the framework. Now, my garage gym gave me the space to put it all into action. The next chapter of this journey isn’t about equipment or apps — it’s about leveraging the foundation I’ve built to keep pushing, strengthening, and showing up for myself, every single day.