Chanel Hussey - Garage Gym

Garage Into a Home Gym Garage Into a Home Gym

by PT Chanel Hussey by PT Chanel Hussey

What You Need to Know When Transforming Your Garage Into a Home Gym.

Chanel takes us through her insights and experience of creating her dream garage gym, designed not only to look great, but to deliver on functionality too. Built with versatility in mind, every element of the space was carefully planned to support a wide range of exercises and suit the needs of different clients during her personal training sessions.

Chanel's Experience with McSport

The Overview

Location: Co. Longford

Studio size: 20ft x 14ft / 6m x 4m

Key items: Spartan multigym, HIT Fitness Leg Press & Hack Squat Machine, Hex Dumbbell & Rack Bundle, HIT Fitness G6 bike, HIT Fitness H5 treadmill, HIT Fitness Commercial Rower, and Gym flooring

The Background

Chanel has been a fully qualified personal trainer for two years. Before building her garage gym, she had a small handful of clients, working mostly one-to-one and in group classes. During Covid, Chanel struggled with her weight and worked with online coach Kellie Fennell to reach her goals. That experience inspired her to complete her training at DCU in 2024, where she qualified in personal training, gym instruction, and sports nutrition.

The Challenge

Chanel moved to her dream house in Longford, but found herself over an hour’s drive from her closest gym. Travelling to train clients was eating into her day and costing her valuable hours, so she needed a solution closer to home. To scale the business and meet client needs, Chanel needed to:

Transform her garage into a purpose-built space
Invest in high-quality strength & cardio equipment
Create a premium, yet inviting client experience
Ensure versatility and durability for long-term use

With so many exercises and equipment types to plan for, choosing the right supplier was critical.

The Solution

McSport was Chanel’s first choice, as it had everything she needed in one place. She relied on our website for all the information she was looking for with a mixture of case studies, reviews and product details all readily available online. Chanel was confident with her own research. From initial enquiry, to delivery the process was seamless:

Fast and efficient turnaround on orders
Clear communication throughout delivery
On-going support when needed

Chanel was particularly impressed by the large, versatile range of equipment McSport has in stock and ready to deliver.

THE RESULT

The investment in a garage home gym had a significant impact on Chanel’s PT sessions and classes:

Business Growth

Increased class capacity
Ability to accommodate more clients and expand availability
Reduced time pressure, with no more rushing home or rushing to the gym

Client Experience

Positive feedback on the variety of workouts and the versatile equipment range
An enhanced gym environment that feels cool and slick
Strengthened brand perception as a premium PT studio space

Chanel's Philosophy Chanel's Philosophy

At the core of the studio is a simple mission: “Small, consistent habits always beat perfection.” At the core of the studio is a simple mission: “Small, consistent habits always beat perfection.”

ADVICE FOR OTHER PTS

Chanel emphasises the importance of preparation and clarity:

Time is your most precious commodity
Keep an approachable and friendly teaching style
Choose equipment that aligns with your brand and standards
Invest in a multigym or rack from the beginning

“From here, I’m ready to launch into my next step: fitness for teens. I already coach GAA, and I believe sport is great for young people, and that fitness helps with their performance.”

Q: What flooring worked best for your garage gym?

Hit Fitness Gym Flooring, 1 sqm x 15 mm, did the trick. It does everything it says on the tin: shock absorption for weights, protection for the concrete underneath, and a non-slip surface for cardio and functional training.

Q: Is damp an issue with your gym?

Not at all. We haven’t insulated it, so it gets warm in summer, but in winter a small heater does the trick. We’d definitely consider insulating it in future.

CONCLUSION

Chanel’s journey highlights how one problem can lead to a vision, from struggling to balance family life with the commute to the gym, to transforming a garage into a premium PT studio, and now looking ahead to expand her services further.