How to Hide Workout Equipment: When Your Gym Is Your Living Room!

by DIY for Homeowners in Workshop > Furniture

1166 Views, 8 Favorites, 0 Comments

How to Hide Workout Equipment: When Your Gym Is Your Living Room!

mdp-exercise-cart - 23.jpeg
DIY Wall Control Exercise Cart

As we all know, exercise or workout equipment will NOT get used if it's hard to get to. But how do you store your equipment especially if you exercise in your living room?

Workout equipment is not pretty so a way to hide it when not in use is important.

This DIY exercise equipment cabinet holds everything you need for a session of yoga or a bit of exercise with some hand weights.

It's on wheels and opens to display storage on each side. It uses Wall Control panels that can handle even heavy weights!

Supplies

mdp-exercise-cart - 7.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 8.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 1.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 2.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 12.jpeg

Materials/Tools:

  • 4x8ft Sanded Plywood (Home Depot)
  • (2) Wall Control Slotted Only Panel 32inx16in Yellow (Wall Control)
  • (2) Wall Control Slanted U-Shaped Slotted Hook White (Wall Control)
  • (2) Wall Control 4in Deep Slotted Metal Shelf White (Wall Control
  • Wall Control 4in Deep Shelf Guard White (Wall Control)
  • (2) Wall Control 2in Slotted Handle Bracket White (Wall Control)
  • 1" Strap Buckle (Amazon)
  • Everbilt 48 in. Continuous Hinge (Home Depot)
  • (8) Everbilt 2 in. Black Polypropylene and Steel Swivel Plate Caster with 125 lb. Load Rating (Home Depot)
  • Everbilt Chest Door Latches (2-Pack) (Home Depot)
  • Makita 18V X2 LXT Lithium-Ion (36V) Brushless Cordless 6-1/2 in. Plunge Circular Saw w/ (2) Batteries 5.0Ah, 55T Blade (Home Depot)

Make the Cuts

mdp-exercise-cart - 3.jpeg

We used our Makita track saw to cut down the plywood. All the measurements are based on the Wall Control panels and the depth of the accessory shelves used inside.

Cut List

  • (2) 32in x 16in
  • (4) 17-3/8in x 7-1/8 in
  • (4) 32in x 7-1/8 in

Overall dimensions 

  • 33-5/8in x 14-1/4in x 17-1/2in

Assemble

mdp-exercise-cart - 4.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 5.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 6.jpeg

We used wood glue to hold our box together. Corner clamps from Rockler and clamps hold it square until everything dries.

Before the panels are screwed into place, the straps are threaded through the panel slots from the back through to the front.

Once the boxes were dry and painted, we screwed the panels in place. The screws that come included with the Wall Control are too long for this application so we purchased wood screws.

There are many colors of Wall Control panels to choose from. We chose this bright, energetic yellow.

Finishing Touches

mdp-exercise-cart - 10.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 11.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 9.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 15.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 16.jpeg

We used a continuous hinge on the back and added latches to the front. 

Eight wheels were added to the bottom for maximum stability when the unit is closed or open. 

Lastly, we used a Cricut Maker to duplicate the Apple Fitness logo as a reminder to close those fitness rings every day! Additional details on how we made the logo can be found in the video. 


Fill Up the Cart

mdp-exercise-cart - 17.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 18.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 29.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 19.jpeg

We added a variety of Wall Control shelves, guards, and hooks to hold the various pieces of equipment in place As equipment needs changed, the arrangement of hooks can be rearranged.

Before/After

mdp-exercise-cart - 21.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 27.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 28.jpeg
mdp-exercise-cart - 26.jpeg

This is how the exercise equipment was stored and here it is now!

This cart on wheels lends itself to a variety of storage needs. It could be a mobile craft station, storage for a small kitchen needing more space, or even for office supplies.

For more details, please visit our website!