Having a home gym is a regularly cited suggestion that people have when reflecting on dream home improvements. And we can see why – it removes all the barriers to access, making it almost impossible not to go, and could help you accomplish that dream body or fitness level you always wanted.
But do you need to win the lottery or is the shipping container gym cost actually more achievable than you think? Read on to find out!
What will a shipping container gym cost?
While we would love to give you a specific number, the actual cost of a home gym depends very much on the culmination of multiple factors, including:
- The size and grade of the shipping container
- What services you have installed
- The modifications of the container
- Who does the converting
The size and type of the shipping container
Shipping containers come in a wide range of grades (new, used, or end-of-life) and sizes – from 8ft to 40ft. As you might expect, this variation can bring a wide range of prices.
Shipping containers graded as new and 40ft in size will be the most expensive, with prices decreasing as the grade and size changes, too – with end-of-life, 8ft containers being the cheapest.
However, there are a few things worth bearing in mind when shopping for a large shipping container for a home gym:
- While the pricing of containers will generally work as described, the final price can be affected by stock availability.
- Used and end-of-life shippers might sound like a bad idea, but these containers will still have lots of life left in them, are ideal for storage or conversion projects, and are a great way of doing your bit for the environment.
What services you have installed
Shipping container conversions can include a variety of services to make them more comfortable and increase usability.
This can include fitting:
- Gas supplies
- Electricity supplies
- HVAC – Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
Most people will assume they need all three services to keep their home gym comfortable in all weathers and seasons.
However, there can be ways around it, including looking into electric heating and air conditioning all-in-one systems – which means you don’t need to pay for services you won’t need.
- This can also affect the planning permissions of your shipping container gym – so remember to check this before you finalise a project.
The modifications of the container
The modifications of the container are what take it from an old shipping container to a recognisable living space that you can call a home gym.
This includes everything from:
- The external appearance of the shipping container, including painting the walls
- The internal walls and floors
- Windows and doors
- Any built-in elements, including storage shelves or cupboards
These elements will be the most impactful and transformative, so it can be easy to get carried away unless you are careful. As such, you should:
- Consider a more simplistic design style, for the indoor and outdoor areas – you’ll add more personality once your gym equipment and finishing touches are laid out inside.
- Understand that instead of overfilling the space with shelves and cupboards will leave less space for workout equipment and the people using the space.
Who does the converting
While a specialist shipping container conversion team will need to do much of the initial converting, including fitting windows and doors to adding an electrical hook-up, consider doing some of the work yourself to save money.
This can mean doing simpler DIY tasks yourself, such as:
- Painting internal walls
- Laying internal flooring
- Putting up pre-made shelves or attaching pre-made cabinetry from high-street suppliers rather than selecting built-in options
- Adding mirrors yourself once your shipping container is in place – this can also stop potential breakages, too!
All of these factors can save you money and make a real difference in the final price.
How to cut the costs of a shipping container gym
If you need them, our top tips for lowering the cost of a shipping container gym are:
- View multiple container sizes so you can understand the space inside and be realistic about how much space you will actually need.
- Ask suppliers if they have an end-of-life or a used container that meets your needs rather than opting for a new one.
- Decide the most cost-friendly way you can heat and cool your shipping container gym as this may mean you don’t need to connect up to the domestic gas line.
- Think minimal for décor and built-in elements because it’ll save money and space!
- Consider doing finishing tasks yourself rather than paying a professional – you may even have friends and family that have skills you can utilise.
Find a shipping container conversion company that can help you
The importance of a shipping container conversion company that can work with you in all aspects of design, manufacture, and delivery cannot be overstated.
Search for a company that can help you achieve your shipping container home gym dream – all without asking you to compromise on your preferred budget.
That’s the only way you’ll be truly happy with the service you receive.
Images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
