FOR DADS
BUILD YOUR
GARAGE GYM
A complete guide to designing, equipping, and optimizing
your home training space on a tight footprint.
GARAGE GYM GUIDE · presentdad.com
WHY A GARAGE GYM?
Train on Your Schedule. No Commute. No Excuses.
$50–$80
avg. monthly
gym membership
3–5 hrs
weekly commute
time to the gym
100%
availability —
your gym, your rules
As a dad, your time is the scarcest resource you have. A garage gym eliminates every friction point between you and your workout — no bag to pack, no wait for equipment, no closing time. 30-minute sessions become genuinely possible.
GARAGE GYM GUIDE · presentdad.com
KNOW YOUR SPACE
Measure Twice, Buy Once.
YOUR FOOTPRINT
LENGTH
13 ft
WIDTH
10 ft
HEIGHT
10 ft
SQ FT
130 sq ft
Before You Buy Anything
Mark your rack footprint on the floor with tape before ordering
Confirm ceiling clearance: bar height is 7.2 ft plus plates above
The solid east wall is prime real estate — this is where the mirror goes
Leave 3–4 ft of open floor in front of the rack for pressing movements
Plan your power outlet locations before you lay rubber flooring
GARAGE GYM GUIDE · presentdad.com
THE EQUIPMENT
Three Pieces. Full-Body Training.
FOUNDATION
Rogue FM-Series
Squat Rack
· 90" uprights fit a 10 ft ceiling
· Westside hole spacing (1" top)
· Bolt-down or free-standing
· Compatible with 99% of barbells
· Footprint: approx. 49" × 24"
$495–$595
VERSATILITY
Adjustable
Weight Bench
· Decline / flat / incline / upright
· Look for 1,000 lb rated capacity
· Slim profile slides under FM rack
· Rogue AB-3 or REP AB-3000
· Footprint: approx. 50" × 20"
$295–$495
CONVENIENCE
Adjustable
Dumbbells
· Replace a full 550 lb dumbbell set
· PowerBlock or Bowflex SelectTech
· Compact tray stores in 18" × 18"
· Up to 90 lbs per hand (PowerBlock)
· Replaces 16+ pairs of fixed DBs
$349–$599
GARAGE GYM GUIDE · presentdad.com
FLOORING & LIGHTING
The Unsung Heroes of the Build.
FLOORING
Horse Stall Mats (4×6 ft)
The garage gym go-to. $45–$55 each at Tractor Supply. 3/4" thick, absorbs drops, easy to cut. You need ~6 mats for 130 sq ft.
Interlocking Rubber Tiles
Easier to install and customize. Slightly pricier but great for odd-shaped garages or partial coverage.
Skip the foam
Puzzle foam mats compress under heavy loads and degrade fast. Not suitable under a rack or deadlift platform.
LIGHTING
LED Shop Lights (4–8 ft)
Linkable 5000K daylight LEDs are the best value. 2–3 fixtures cover 130 sq ft. Link them to run from a single outlet.
Kelvin Temperature Matters
5000K daylight keeps you alert and focused. Avoid warm white (2700K) — it makes the space feel dim and residential.
LED Strips for Content
Strip lighting on the ceiling perimeter transforms the look on camera. Great production value for Reels and YouTube.
GARAGE GYM GUIDE · presentdad.com
WALLS & MIRROR
The East Wall Is Everything.
Paint
Color:
Charcoal or dark grey — Benjamin Moore "Kendall Charcoal" HC-166 is a top pick for garage gyms.
Sheen:
Satin or semi-gloss. Easier to wipe down, holds up to moisture, and resists gym chalk.
Primer:
Garage walls are often bare drywall or block. Always prime first — especially on CMU.
Accent wall:
Paint the east wall a shade darker than surrounding surfaces for depth.
Mirror
Size:
Go 6 to 8 ft wide on your east wall, floor to 6.5 ft height.
Best option:
Fab Glass & Mirror or Amazon "wall mirror panels" in 48"×72" sections.
Mounting:
J-channel mirror clips or Z-clips with drywall anchors. Never rely on adhesive alone.
Safety:
Tempered glass only in a gym. If it breaks, it shatters safely — standard mirror does not.
GARAGE GYM GUIDE · presentdad.com
LAYOUT PLAN
13 ft × 10 ft — Optimized for One.
EAST WALL — Mirror + Dark Paint
ROGUE FM
SQUAT RACK
BENCH
DBs
OPEN
FLOOR
GARAGE DOOR SIDE
Key Principles
Rack against the east wall maximizes open floor space
Bench slides in front of the rack — store it aside when not training
Dumbbells in corner — accessible without moving other equipment
Keep 3–4 ft of open floor in front of the rack for pressing and lunges
Open the garage door while training — essential for airflow in Arizona heat
GARAGE GYM GUIDE · presentdad.com
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
What Does This Actually Cost?
ITEM
LOW
HIGH
NOTE
Rogue FM-3 Squat Rack
$495
$595
New from Rogue.com
Barbell + Weight Plates
$350
$500
Rogue Bar + bumpers or iron
Adjustable Bench
$295
$495
REP AB-3000 or Rogue AB-3
Adjustable Dumbbells
$349
$599
PowerBlock Sport or Bowflex
Rubber Flooring (6 mats)
$270
$330
Tractor Supply horse stall mats
LED Shop Lights (2)
$60
$120
Amazon, 5000K, linkable
Mirror panels (48"×72"×2)
$150
$280
Wall mirror panels, tempered
Paint + Primer
$80
$130
Charcoal, satin, 2 gallons
TOTAL ESTIMATED
$2,049
$3,049
vs. $720/yr gym fees
GARAGE GYM GUIDE · presentdad.com
CONTENT & COMMUNITY
Your Gym Is Your Content Studio.
BUILD SERIES
Document the Build
Film every phase — floor install, rack setup, mirror mounting. A 12-part build series is a ready-made Instagram Reels campaign.
LIGHTING
LED Strips = Production Value
Add LED strip lighting behind the mirror or along the ceiling perimeter. Transforms the look on camera — great for Reels and YouTube.
WORKOUT CONTENT
Phone Mount on the Rack
The Rogue FM system accepts phone/camera mounts. A rack-mounted phone arm means no-excuses footage every session.
COMMUNITY
Invite Other Dads In
Dad gym content resonates. Share budget reveals, equipment reviews, and honest workouts. Tag @roguefitness when you post your setup.
GARAGE GYM GUIDE · presentdad.com
YOUR NEXT MOVE
Five Steps to Get
Started This Weekend.
01
Tape out your 13×10 space and mark the rack footprint on the floor
02
Order your Rogue FM rack — lead times can run 2–6 weeks
03
Pick up 6 horse stall mats from Tractor Supply (call ahead for stock)
04
Buy and hang your LED shop lights before the rack arrives
05
Paint the east wall and install the mirror as the final finishing step
Follow the build @presentdad · presentdad.com