Reply With QuoteBurning gas consumes O2, right? And emits some fraction of CO, right? Seems to me that electric resistance heat is your only option in a closed room.
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Recommendations to heat the gym
I live in Wisconsin and it can get pretty cold during winter. My gym is an unheated, detached 2 car garage.
I can tolerate pretty cold weather while working out, though 0⁰F can get pretty tough. But if I ever decide to start training people (a pipe dream right now since I can't convince anyone to do Starting Strength, no matter how hard I try), I may need to be able to heat the gym to at least above freezing.
My previous experience training some folks was that they used a propane heater in an equivalent 5 car garage sized workshop, but it would get hot enough that condensation would build up on the equipment and start leaving minor rust on the barbell and plates (or perhaps that's from the reaction of combusting propane). I suppose I could also use a propane heater and just turn it off once the temperature is a bit more comfortable, but if the condensation was from the reaction of combusted propane, I would rather find a different solution.
Let me know y'all's thoughts.
TMPHBITEU
Burning gas consumes O2, right? And emits some fraction of CO, right? Seems to me that electric resistance heat is your only option in a closed room.
Member
How about a pellet stove?
✓ Member
On paper, burning hydrocarbons produces three things: CO2, H20, and energy (mostly heat and some light). This explains your condensation, just like when you see water dripping from a vehicle's exhaust pipe - the cold environment pulls the water vapor out of the air.Originally Posted by WCSteppe
In practice, of course, the hydrocarbons aren't pure, and the combustion is never 100% complete, hence the fraction of CO that Rip mentions, along with other potential impurities. Of course, carbon monoxide kills without much, if any warning, and is furthermore itself a highly combustible gas, hence the wisdom of having CO monitors in houses, as well as not using salamanders and other such combustion heaters in enclosed spaces.
I lift in an attached, though very poorly insulated garage, also in Wisconsin. It's not as extreme a situation as yours, but I am surprised at how much a very small, office-style electric heater warms the platform area of my space. I rather quickly get +12-15 degrees (F) from it. I'm sure a larger one would work for you in your garage.
I did use to have an infrared heater that worked much better, but it wore out by the third year. If, unlike me, you invest in a good one, you might be pleasantly surprised. IR heaters heat objects (and people) directly, instead of heating the air that then heats you, so it's a different experience, including an immediate effect.
I assume you've been having a notably cold, dry winter in your part of the state, too, right?
Member
Electric seems to be the way to go, thanks for the refresher in chemistry. I am glad to hear that the propane heater from my previous trainees was the main culprit of the condensation build up on their equipment. That should mean an electric heater will minimize the risk a bit.
I am in the Milwaukee area, so 0⁰F earlier this week, and 20⁰'s and lower through the year. Doesn't stop me from training, but if I ever convince someone to do the program I would like to offer a slightly warmer experience if they choose. I might be dedicated, or insane, but I don't know any of my friends, family, or co-workers that would join me.
Member
Do you heat up your barbell prior to lifting? It's something your potential future trainees might appreciate.
Before I start lifting, I'll place my barbell on a metal chair in front of my propane heater while I walk on the treadmill for ~10 minutes.
Member
Similar situation in my gym. I'm in Upstate NY with very cold winters [single digit this past week]
My garage is concrete block/detached with no insulation. It's COLD. I invested in a high quality electric heater, oil filled radiator style.. It put out some good heat, but jacked my electric bill so dramatically that I called the power company in disbelief.
I gave away the heater to my daughter and invested in good Marino wool running gear. It's thin, super flexible, you can layer it under a t-shirt and with a ski cap/beanie keeps me pretty damn warm.
The only issue is the cold bar, which I work around with really thin glove liners. Just enough of a barrier to keep your hands from getting super cold [I take them off for my work set lifts and put them right back on after]
Member
I do not heat the barbell, but I have a fireplace in my house that I could put it near if needed. I have started storing my belt inside.
The increase in the electric bill from using an electric heater was a concern as well, but it's a trade-off that I will consider if and when the time comes.
Personally, I have sweat pants, a torn up light jacket, and cheap gloves that I use to keep "warm". Investing in some better equipment would certainly make the experience easier. But, I'm of the mindset that it is better to minimize sweating, which I do pretty easily. So, I am cold for a couple hours.
Starting Strength Coach
The simplest (and best, IMO, which is why I implemented the same, but for opposite reasons) is a small, ductless mini-split. Home Depot sells a good 18000 BTU DIY one (unless you're very handy you'll have to hire an electrician to wire it in, since it's 30A 220V). Most work down well into the negative teens (I have a friend who keeps his shop at 63 F in -10F winters), they are extremely energy-efficient, and best thing is you can also use it to dehumidify and cool the garage in the spring / summer. They are programmable, so you can heat only when you need to, on a schedule. Downside? Initial investment is about $1k for the unit, and then you have the electrical install to do. But once it's in...
Member
I'm in a similar situation - detached, uninsulated, two-car garage. I live in Northeastern Utah right below the Uintah mountains... It gets nearly or similarly cold here. I considered an electric heater but a) money and b) my electric system is old enough that it is not properly grounded nor does it have breaker switches... so for my part, I'm putting in a wood stove. I don't know if that is an option for you. There is a wood stove at Lowe's I saw recently for $600. You can also do a pellet stove, which is what I use inside my house, however, those are fairly expensive as well. If you can get wood and a wood stove, that's the best long term option. If you search YouTube for "DIY stove" or "barrel stove" there's some pretty cool, inexpensive options as well.
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