Converting Utility Closet to Workout Room

[kbuhagiar]

Hello Folks,

We have a large utility closet (10' x 6') in our residence. It is adjacent to, but completely separate from, our garage. We are going to convert it to a mini-workout room, to house an exercise machine (either a treadmill, elliptical, or bike, haven't decided yet).

Other than an overhead fluorescent fixture and a light switch, there are no other plugs/utilities in the room. With one wall shared with the garage space, plus the main electrical panel on the other wall, it should be relatively simple to add a new circuit and a couple of outlets for the machine and a flat panel TV.

I already checked to make sure that the floor will support the extra stress from an exercise machine (the house was built with 2" x 8" floor joists spaced 16" apart, and 3/4" plywood underlayment).

My main concern is with ventilation. Other than an 18" x 18" sliding glass window (and the door into the hallway) there are no other sources of airflow. I am pretty sure that I will need to provide additional air circulation for the room, but I am pondering my options:

1) Replace the light fixture with a combo ceiling fan/light;
2) Install a wall-mounted exhaust/ventilation fan (on the one wall that is an outside wall);
3) Extend our existing HVAC into the room;
4) Some or all of items 1, 2, & 3 above

Thoughts?
Other options?
Do workout rooms have any special requirements?


Thanks in advance!

 

[pendragon1998]

Maybe just stick a box fan in the doorway?

 

[kbuhagiar]

Maybe just stick a box fan in the doorway?

I'm sure that would help, but I was thinking of something more permanent.

 

[ard]

Is there an attic space over the ceiling in the room? I am a BIG fan (pun intended) of remote mount fans and attic fans.

You can get a fan that will move serious air, mount a duct from a ceiling grill up to one side of the fan- then the other side you run a duct to a gable louver or other outlet.

Click the fan on and you can gte serious ventilation without the super loud fan noise over your head.

I remote mounted my: Bathroom/shower/toilet room fans; 1400CFM kitchen hood fan, workshop exhaust. Think about a 1400cfm fan, where you can have a conversation while cooking yet paper towels are sucked from the countertop!




If you want it for simple ventilation, just for a few room air changes every hour, thats one thing. If you want it for cooling, to keep air flowing to cool you off while running, thats another.


But finally- I sure like a nice utility room- electrical, HVAC, telcom, controls, etc. You SURE you will exercise??? (I kid)

 

[apollo11]

It needs a TV

 

[ddawg16]

I wouldn't do it. Not big enough.

You live in California....want to ride a bike? Do it on the street.

Want to jog? Jog in the park.

 

[kbuhagiar]

It needs a TV

Definitely getting a TV.

 

[JackAndy]

If it's an exercise machine as in a cable machine with weight racks, I'd think the 1 CFM per cubic foot rule would be just fine, so just a standard 80 cfm bath fan should be fine if there's a 1/2" to 5/8" gap under the door. If you don't have air conditioning or you get really hot, I'd add a fan that blows directly on you. If this was an exericise bike or treadmill I'd probably bump it up a bit since you really want air flow on those.