My only concerns would be practical. Gym equipment can be extremely heavy. If you put out a professional level treadmill and elliptical, that's a whole lot of weight. I'm not sure who you'd check with to address that (structural engineer?) My other concern would be the weather, especially during the summer heat and humidity around here. Personally, I couldn't handle that. But if you can and the porch can handle the weight, then go for it. After all, you're not using it now. I'd just make sure that the kids can't get to the equipment.

How high up is the porch and what kind of equipment are you planning to put there?

My main concern would be if the porch could support the weight or if weights fell on the ground.

I knew someone that converted half of their garage into a home gym. From what I heard they had to do something to the foundation to support it but the person did really heavy weights. Then heard of another story of weights breaking through the ground of some temporary/makeshift workout areas on wooden platforms.

Why not? I wouldn't do anything drastic that would be difficult to undo. But why the heck not put some exercise equipment out there if that's the way you would like to use it.

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't sound crazy to me. If you find yourself needing to use the porch as the kids grow can you move the gym elsewhere, like a spare room or basement?

Op here - not really. No spare room and basement isn't the right size/layout. Just kind of seems crazy to have something we both want with an unused space that would make sense to house it.

Doesn't sound crazy to me. If you find yourself needing to use the porch as the kids grow can you move the gym elsewhere, like a spare room or basement?

Can you turn it into a year round room that could function like a porch in the summer?

I think it's a bit short-sighted. Your kids will get older and you'll use the porch more as they do. The bugs are so terrible around here that screened porches can be very popular for re-sale. That being said, it's your house and you should use it as you want, especially if you won't move for many, many years. Personally, I love our screened porch and wouldn't give it up, but that's just us.

As your kids get older will they play there, do homework there?

All you need are electrical outlets and / or a level floor. Well insulated windows and a source of heat also help.

We have a fairly large house with a beautiful wooded yard and a nice deck. We also have a screened-in porch we never use. I mean NEVER. The furniture is old, our kids are little (2 and 4) and not interested in hanging out around the table even though the view is nice, etc. Obviously we could get new furniture, but DH and I are both serious about exercise and are dying for an in-home gym. I think the porch has more overall appeal to the general population than a gym would, but we aren't planning on moving for quite awhile if ever. Cost not a huge factor (obviously the gym would be somewhat expensive to set up). Thoughts?