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I had to do some rearranging in our home gym because I decided to keep my treadmill. I haven’t used my treadmill in years. It was great, but it was huge, and I didn’t think I had room for it. So when I designed our home gym, I didn’t even consider trying to make room for a treadmill.
Before we started the remodeling process in the hallway and bedroom areas a few years ago, the treadmill was now in our guest bedroom. It was back when the room looked like this…
At that point the room basically became a storage room, but there was plenty of room for a treadmill.
When the renovation began, I moved the treadmill into the sunroom. But the sunroom became too cluttered, so I had to move it again. I have never used a treadmill while in the sunroom. I store it there. So I eventually moved it out onto our back patio, covering it with two tarps (one bottom-up and one top-down) to keep it safe from the weather.
Well, I could never find anyone who wanted a treadmill. Again, it’s big and heavy, difficult to transport, and many people find it difficult to find space in their homes for it. I have a couple of people interested in it, but no takers. So it continued to sit on the back patio.
Unfortunately, those heavy plastic tarps weren’t as durable as I thought, and during a heavy rainstorm, the tarp ripped to shreds and the treadmill got completely soaked. I’m sure it’s ruined, but a week ago, I dragged it from the patio to the carport where it was dry, and then I plugged it in and turned it on. It worked perfectly!
That event coincided with another that decided to keep me. A few weeks ago, I walked into the carport early in the morning and saw a coyote in our yard!! It’s just beyond the tree line that marks the halfway point of our yard (we’re on an acre lot). Out of the corner of my eye I thought it was a stray dog. And as is my immediate reaction when I see a stray dog, I whistle at it to see if it will come to me.
As soon as I did that, it started running and I thought, “what That is No A stray dog!“It moved like a fox, but it was bigger than any fox I’ve ever seen in our neighborhood. So I whistled again, and it stopped and turned toward me, and that’s when I saw that super long, straight nose and pointed triangular ears. It was definitely a coyote. .
This happened about two weeks ago, and after my wonderful walk in our yard almost every day, when we had nice weather, my walk came to an abrupt end. I know that coyotes are generally not aggressive towards humans, but I also know that there are exceptions. And I got into the habit of running around 5:30 or 5:45, which meant I was running even after sunset. Although I know a coyote can clear a 6-foot fence relatively easily, I’d rather have a fence around our entire yard.
So after the coyote incident a few weeks ago, and then the treadmill got rained out and I dragged it to the carport to see if it still worked, I decided to go ahead and keep it. This way, I can have options. If I can walk in the middle of the day when we have beautiful weather, that’s an option. But on very cold, or very hot, or rainy days, I prefer another option.
I wasn’t sure if I could get the treadmill into the home gym and I had to dismantle the control panel, the bar that holds the control panel, and the arms. Once they are off, I can fit it through the door and then I have to put it all back together and fit it all in the closet so it fits. Finally finished it all this morning.
Now when you walk into the room, my rebounder is straight ahead.
There were free weights and a weight bench.
I moved the weight bench under the Swedish ladder. I may end up getting rid of it altogether. It’s actually a device I rarely use. And then the treadmill is where the rebounder is.
Since the treadmill takes up a lot of space and it gets into the space where my rowing machine sits, my rowing machine now has to be stored upright when not in use.
To be honest, I don’t hate it. In fact, it makes vacuuming this room so much easier! I’ve tried vacuuming around the rowing machine, but if it’s stored upright, it takes me a minute to put the treadmill in its “storage” position, and then I can easily vacuum that side of the room.
With the rowing machine now stored upright against the wall, it’s also much easier to access things I store in the closet like my kettlebell and bosu ball.
And then when I want to use my rowing machine, I can put it down, use it, then put it back up and store it against the wall.
The rowing machine is fine to go straight back towards the treadmill (ie, not at an angle), but I don’t want to go backwards to that treadmill when it’s in the stowed position. That thing is heavy and if the pin holding it ever fails, and the thing falls on top of me, I’ll be in a world of hurt. So when I want to use the rowing machine it’s great to have it at an angle. Fortunately, the rowing machine is not heavy, has wheels for easy transport, and is literally made to be stored upright when not in use.
I think this is the perfect solution and I’m really glad I didn’t have to find another home for my treadmill. As we enter our summer months here in Central Texas, I am so glad to have this alternative to walking inside instead of walking outside in 100+ degree temperatures.
Addicted 2 Decorating shares my DIY and decorating journey as I renovate and decorate the 1948 Fixer Upper that my husband, Matt, and I purchased in 2013. Matt has MS and is unable to do physical activity, so I do most of the housework myself. You can learn more about me here.
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