How to hide exercise equipment
There are two general approaches when it comes to storing exercise equipment: open but neat, or out of sight, out of mind. If you have a small space, you may not have too many hidey holes, so perhaps you’ll opt for open storage. This is also a great option if you’re creating garage gym storage. However, opting for concealed storage is a big win for a minimalist interior look and is handy if you use one room for many purposes – that way you don’t feel like you’re inviting guests for dinner at the gym!
Open storage:
A trolley or storage rack – good news – heavy-duty gym racks for the home are a thing. These are large wire-framed baskets or racks where you can store anything from rackets and exercise balls to mats and boxing gloves. A good substitute is a little trolley, like the kind you might use to store your fresh fruit and veg or pantry items in. These are a great place to store small weights and items like a skipping rope. You can wheel yours out of the way when people are over or keep it near at hand so your gear is in easy reach while you’re working out. They also come in many cute colours and designs so you can find one that ties in with your décor.
The walls – where floor space is at a premium, your walls offer so much potential for storing almost anything. In fact, you can buy a wall rack specifically for gym equipment to store those foam rollers and yoga mats – this is effectively a wide hook that your mat or roller sits on top of. You might also like to look into a specialist gym rack to hang various types of equipment. As a super simple alternative, you can also use hooks in your wall to hang ropes or resistance bands, too.
Console and/or weight rack – of course, you don’t want to be reaching over your head for heavy items like weights – safety first, people. So, for storing weights at home, a weight rack is best. Exactly like the type you get at the gym, they’re designed to take the weight without buckling. You could substitute this for a particularly sturdy shoe rack or a small set of shelves and dedicate the space to your workout gear.
Concealed storage
Ottoman or storage bench – we love storage benches because they can store so much and seem to have an almost magical ability to make a room look neat. You can keep it neat inside, too, with organisers to separate your workout gear, or you can just haul everything in and close the lid until the next workout – we won’t judge.
Cube organiser – these are great for storing bits and bobs. Our top tip is to have some cubbies with cubes to organise your smaller workout gear and have others open with your weights in for easy access.
Roll-away under-bed storage – much like your walls, your under-the-bed space is a huge asset, especially for things that aren’t so Instagrammable. An under-bed box with wheels is a practical place for equipment and gym clothes.
Wicker basket – a simple basket can hide any number of sins – not that you’ll have any as you plonk your foam roller, rope and weights in it after your workout. If wicker’s not your thing you could always choose a wooden crate, boho basket or whatever suits your interior tastes.
How to store an exercise ball
Bottom of the wardrobe – if you have dead space below your clothes, why not tuck your exercise ball in there to keep it out of sight when you’re not using it.
Bungee cord or net – you could also affix a cargo net to your wall or ceiling to store the ball. Equally, you can attach one hook on either side of a corner and string a bungee cord between them to keep your ball in place.
Large tub – the most basic option is probably a big tub, crate or even the netted storage boxes you often get for keeping stuffed animals in for kids. This option likely takes the most space, so you’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons.
Balance plate – you can get a small, round base or ‘foot’ to sit your ball on if you have the floor space. These are quite a bit cheaper and more economical with space than the larger stands you’ll often see in commercial gyms.
How to store gym chalk
If you’re lifting a lot of weight, performing a lot of reps, or just want to improve your lifts and grip, gym chalk can be very handy. But how do you store the chalk without making a mess? You can keep the main container tucked away in a cupboard and store a small amount in a Tupperware box next to your other gym equipment. Alternatively, you can also use a small, reusable Ziplock bag or find another well-sealed container.
How to store gym clothes
The best tip for storing your workout gear is to keep sets together and roll them. For example, put together an outfit for a workout, roll the clothes up inside the biggest item, then tuck them in the drawer and repeat with other full workout outfits. Et voilà, your life is enviably organised. This can save you time when picking outfits and you may even find your quick-change option motivates you to workout more.
As an alternative, you might prefer to store your gym clothes like-with-like. This way you can pick your outfits as you go – this is a practical option if the weather is changeable and you don’t know what you’ll need until you wake up and look out the window.
Hopefully, that’s inspired you to get your gear in order or to buy some second-hand workout equipment from Gumtree for your growing at-home gym. If you’re keen to learn more about what equipment to buy for those home workouts, you can read our guide on what you need for a home gym in a small space to get started.
