View Full Version : Ideas for New Man Cave
Splash
12-21-2016, 06:51 AM
Hi all.
I have the opportunity to make a new man cave from the ground up - concrete base, flooring, walls, ceiling, roof, etc. - as an extension onto my house on the outside.
It will mostly be dedicated to cycling training, rowing and some free weights.
Any tips on type of flooring, media interface, airflow, heating, cooling, insulation, etc. to design a great man cave to help deliver solid training results?
SPlash
I like your plans. Also, make sure that it is over 10 meters long so you can hold informal international air rifle competitions there.:D
Tickdoc
12-21-2016, 08:03 AM
How fun! Personally, I would prefer mine plastered with old shop posters and playboy pinups, but here are some other more tasteful ideas:
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1c1_aKXXXXXaiXXXXq6xXFXXXa/3d-wall-paper-Natural-forest-landscape-perspective-seamless-wallpaper-mural-wall-stickers-large-sofa-TV-background.jpg_640x640.jpg
http://wl.static.fotolia.com/jpg/00/57/35/53/400_F_57355386_RM52dvBl8yJtyqAwsou8oLmHe3uoZkrq.jp g
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1Xj4JKFXXXXbWXpXXq6xXFXXX2/3D-Floors-font-b-water-b-font-wave-font-b-mural-b-font-backdrop-Beach-floor.jpg
martl
12-21-2016, 08:04 AM
Based on what *my* man cave doesn't provide which annoys me no end, my list would be:
- a flat floor
- Internet Connection
- good radio reception
- decent power supply for the big toys (5 wires 380V here in the old continent)
- access to haul those big toys (lathe, grinder, bandsaw, milling machine, flux compensator, main battle tank etc.) in and out
- refrigerator
- stove to make Espresso
- water supply/sink
- a loo
all the rest can be improvised.
oh, and about room shape: too long and too narrow can be annoying, too...
Splash
12-21-2016, 08:11 AM
Thanks guys.
Novel ideas :-)
No workshop stuff (except may be the pinups), just pure bike toys, erg rower and some free weights.
Ideal flooring material?
Approximate size - 20 ft long x 14 foot deep.
Splash
ltwtsculler91
12-21-2016, 08:25 AM
Thanks guys.
Novel ideas :-)
No workshop stuff (except may be the pinups), just pure bike toys, erg rower and some free weights.
Ideal flooring material?
Approximate size - 20 ft long x 14 foot deep.
Splash
This sounds awesome! Getting a nice TV in there too?
I would go with some sort of tile floor, especially under the erg, as it's easier to mop up and it shouldn't slide around as much like they do on wood floors.
classtimesailer
12-21-2016, 08:30 AM
At least 10 foot ceilings. 14 would be cool but some space expert might object. Put a redwood sauna in the corner. Talk to a hi-if guy about wall/floor/ceiling materials. Sound proof it and eliminate the mid interval, "CAN YOU TURN THAT DOWN!?"
oldpotatoe
12-21-2016, 08:34 AM
Hi all.
I have the opportunity to make a new man cave from the ground up - concrete base, flooring, walls, ceiling, roof, etc. - as an extension onto my house on the outside.
It will mostly be dedicated to cycling training, rowing and some free weights.
Any tips on type of flooring, media interface, airflow, heating, cooling, insulation, etc. to design a great man cave to help deliver solid training results?
SPlash
Music, internet, frig...all else is secondary..:p
soulspinner
12-21-2016, 08:35 AM
Line the walls with classic bicycles :)
weisan
12-21-2016, 08:39 AM
>> to help deliver solid training results...
Try this instead.
http://thewayoftaichi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/jackie-chan-snake-in-shadow-_2.jpg
:D
Splash pal, have fun designing your dream cave, I don't have any concrete suggestions other than to say that having a dedicated space for equipment and some alone time is an AWESOME thing! When we bought this house three years ago, my wife took me to go look at it the first time, when we got to the driveway, the garage door is already opened so I walked right in, on top of the 2-car parking space, there's a "third" going further into the room. When I saw it, I was "sold" on the spot almost immediately, told my wife and the agent I don't even need to go inside the house to look any more, this is it! Finally, my own inner sanctum. :D
MattTuck
12-21-2016, 08:42 AM
Are you making a home gym or a man cave? I think they are two different things.
redir
12-21-2016, 09:18 AM
Polished concrete is nice as a floor but especially if it's radiant heated.
Mini splits are really good systems for heating and cooling a room.
FlashUNC
12-21-2016, 09:21 AM
Wood paneling on the walls is a must.
AngryScientist
12-21-2016, 09:21 AM
i think if i were starting from scratch i would go with some sort of durable epoxy coat as on a garage floor. add some rubberized mats for the freeweight area. this would be easy to clean with sweat and stuff.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ab/64/08/ab64087ce04415fdd7f8b33cdbb37c37.jpg
Idris Icabod
12-21-2016, 09:51 AM
At least 10 foot ceilings. 14 would be cool?"
I'd stick with 10 ft, 14 ft stripper poles are really hard to source.
CampyorBust
12-21-2016, 09:55 AM
I'd stick with 10 ft, 14 ft stripper poles are really hard to source.
There are solutions for those who seek...
http://www.lilmynx.com/index.php/drop-ceiling-mount-24-33-extension.html
I pretty much have all that going on, its doable, will be tight in that space. Flooinrg - wood is nice and warm but spensive. Carpet is way cheaper pus with weights and stuff probably better, I just did 235 square feet worth of carpeting for about $150 bucks. Laying carpet is tricky though. $100 bucks for the cheapest carpet at the hardware store, good sturdy outdoor stuff $50 for glue and be aware this glue is the stickiest substance on earth. If we ever get around to punishing our politicians I say cover them in this shyte and let them wander beggin for forgiveness. A media unit is nice to have, DVD, perhaps a video game system or 5, wall decorations well I like weird stuff like ammo boxes, knittery, vintage police battons, vintage beer mirrors, rocks, corks and of course some Campeeeh. My rowing machine sits in the corner folded up.
572cv
12-21-2016, 10:04 AM
Lots of cool ideas so far for you. I agree that a mini split system might be the most versatile for heating/cooling. Also economical to operate, esp. if you are in an area that doesn't go below -10-20°F. Insulate the heck out of the addition, including the foundation. A rule of thumb for insulation: R-20/R-40/R-60.... where 20 is the area below grade, 40 is for the vertical walls, and 60 for above the ceiling. If you are framing it above a slab, say, look at the Zip system wall sheathing and tape for air sealing the space.
My favorite floor surface for a workout area is horse stall matting. Indestructable, easy to cut with a mat-knife, and cheap. I've gotten it for as little as $30 per 4x6ft sheet. It looks like this:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rubber-mat-black-4-ft-x-6-ft
I think the lighting will also be important. You can hang some pretty utilitarian fixtures, but take some time to review the opportunities for color rendition in the newer LED bulbs and systems.
Finally, as a pet peeve, study your existing house and look for ways to make your addition work with the house. This can be through scale, finishes, detail, blending, or contrasting. But if it is thought through, it will be more pleasing and enhance value.
Sounds like fun!
hummus_aquinas
12-21-2016, 11:24 AM
http://68.media.tumblr.com/03ba996beab5faa1a4d708410527fcdc/tumblr_ohs1s3xzQF1rmoryfo1_540.jpg
SleepyCyclist
12-21-2016, 11:39 AM
John Stone has a great setup and write up too:
http://www.johnstonefitness.com/my-transformation/home-gym/
especially as he transitioned from weight lifting to road cycling.
Lots of great ideas at bb.com as well for gym setups:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=652376&page=241
Garage Journal likely has good examples as well - haven't looked for this specifically.
Horse stall mats seem universally recommended.
M
Splash
12-21-2016, 03:44 PM
Are you making a home gym or a man cave? I think they are two different things.
Home Gym.
Splash
MattTuck
12-21-2016, 03:55 PM
Search Houzz for home gyms.
https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/12515ffd062aafca_8-4030/contemporary-home-gym.jpg
Ti Designs
12-21-2016, 03:56 PM
Polished concrete is nice as a floor but especially if it's radiant heated.
If you're gonna put in radiant heat and pour concrete, don't forget to build a set of rollers into the floor and have a hardwood cover made for when you're not using them...
wc1934
12-21-2016, 04:18 PM
If you're gonna put in radiant heat and pour concrete, don't forget to build a set of rollers into the floor and have a hardwood cover made for when you're not using them...
EXCELLENT IDEA. I never would have thought of that.
weaponsgrade
12-21-2016, 04:21 PM
Check out garage journal. There are some seriously nice garages over there.
redir
12-21-2016, 09:50 PM
If you're gonna put in radiant heat and pour concrete, don't forget to build a set of rollers into the floor and have a hardwood cover made for when you're not using them...
Oh man! That really is a great idea. They could even be recessed for easy on off access. Built in power with wifi and so on.
d_douglas
12-21-2016, 11:33 PM
My mancave is a dumpy garage filled with crap and bikes.
Here's my take on what I would like:
1) Radiant heated concrete flooring (if required in your climate)
2) heavy duty rubberized mats (like the horse mats) on likely half of a 20x14 room
3) lots of natural light
4) the ability to open that light source to fresh air - think accordion doors and an operable wall on one side when it gets hot and sweaty.
5) For me, def no TV - yech. No place for a giant tv in a gym.
6) Wifi and audio for great music and if you need to watch something, just use a laptop.
7) a built in seating:bench area (in concrete formwork)
8) decent soundproofing but not essential
9) proximity to a bathroom + fresh water
10) the built for n rollers would be a fun component that would be cheap to do and would be very cool. I'm not a roller guy, but I love the idea!
There, free advice from a designer :)
Splash
12-22-2016, 12:25 AM
Good stuff guys.
The radiant heated floor is probably overkill for my climate for most of the year, but I may look into it.
Would a projector screening onto a wall be good use of space?
SPlash
Good stuff guys.
The radiant heated floor is probably overkill for my climate for most of the year, but I may look into it.
Would a projector screening onto a wall be good use of space?
SPlash
A projector would be very cool and an excellent use of space. I'd consider using wifi to stream movies on YouTube instead of wasting space with a bunch of DVD or BluRay.
>> to help deliver solid training results...
Try this instead.
http://thewayoftaichi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/jackie-chan-snake-in-shadow-_2.jpg
:D
Splash pal, have fun designing your dream cave, I don't have any concrete suggestions other than to say that having a dedicated space for equipment and some alone time is an AWESOME thing! When we bought this house three years ago, my wife took me to go look at it the first time, when we got to the driveway, the garage door is already opened so I walked right in, on top of the 2-car parking space, there's a "third" going further into the room. When I saw it, I was "sold" on the spot almost immediately, told my wife and the agent I don't even need to go inside the house to look any more, this is it! Finally, my own inner sanctum. :D
I'm having difficulty picturing this. 3 story garage in your house? Is it too invasive to ask to see a pic?
weisan
12-22-2016, 06:26 AM
Is it too invasive to ask to see a pic?
No, not at all...
https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20150813/258347
No, not at all...
https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20150813/258347
[emoji12] [emoji12] [emoji12]
weisan
12-22-2016, 06:30 AM
ANAO pal, it's a mess, you really don't want me to publish this live but I will send you a video link in "private". :)
wasfast
12-22-2016, 08:11 AM
Some good ideas on this thread on SlowTwitch about "pain caves"
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/Let_see_your_Pain_Cave_P4146106/?search_string=pain%20cave#p4146106
Garage Journal has endless threads of what folks have done, from single garages to Garage Mahal's. I went there about 3 years ago thanks to 44 Bikes and still read it every day. Be warned if you like this type of thing, it's a sink hole of time.
One of my very (non-practical) favorites:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71002
Splash
12-22-2016, 09:34 AM
What is the ideal temperature for working out indoors on the bike?
Need more ideas on type of flooring...i see heavy duty matting is popular, anything else?
Splash
What is the ideal temperature for working out indoors on the bike?
Need more ideas on type of flooring...i see heavy duty matting is popular, anything else?
Splash
It was 35* in my garage this morning.
With a mesh baselayer and a very powerful fan blowing in my face, I have a bit of a cold after doing 2x20. So, maybe 40* is better? My garage is subject to natural temps though.
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