Storing Exercise Equipment

As we strive to stay healthy, we accumulate exercise equipment that takes up space and is hard to keep organized. Treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes and other large pieces of equipment require a space of their own. They are best kept in sight and where the user can readily access them. The old joke about the treadmill turning into a clothes rack is too often true, especially when the treadmill is kept in a remote corner of the basement. If my treadmill did not come into view every morning when I climb out of bed, I doubt I would ever use it. Its presence so early in the morning is a signal to drag my body in there and do a little walking. Having the visual cue is helpful. Even when I ignore it, it stands there in silent reproof until my guilt gets the best of me. Placement of large equipment is key. Put the things you use while exercising close to the equipment. If you listen to music, or wear special footwear when you exercise, keep them close to the spot. A small table, basket, or gym bag can keep them contained.

Stability balls and free weights take up little space, but pose their own set of problems. Small weights can be housed in a drawer, a sturdy container, or even a decorative footlocker that can hold other gear and related items like an exercise mat and resistance bands. There are some specialized storage systems that keep weights handy and off the floor where they can be a tripping hazard. Take a look at the free weights holders at www.idealproducts.com and www.fitnessdestination.com. Both sites also have storage solutions for cuff weights, bands and pulleys. One of my favorite items is the Weight Cart that holds weights, has shelf space for other items and is on casters so it can be rolled into a corner when not in use. Another neat and compact product that can be found at www.yukonfitness.com is the Body Mirage Fitness Kit. A small duffel pack holds a set of 2 lb. dumbbells, jump rope, chest expander, pull band and push-up bar. That is a lot of equipment in a little space and it sells for under $50.

There are also several solutions for organizing stability balls. The Loop hangs on the wall and holds several sizes. It can be found at www.performbetter.com. The Ball Holder is a hard plastic disc that holds the ball in place by suction and keeps it from rolling around the floor and Ball Stackers, available at www.amazon.com fit between balls to allow them to be stacked one on top of the other. Both wall-mounted and freestanding ball storage racks, as well as carts with casters can be found at www.Theratek.com.

Whatever equipment you have to organize and store, the following principles are helpful to keep in mind:
Keep equipment in an accessible spot to facilitate its use.
Keep accessories close to the equipment you use them with.
Use storage and organization systems to keep equipment from cluttering your living space.

Exercise is not fun for me, so I use these hints to make it a little more bearable.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Sports Balls

Baseballs, soccer balls, footballs, volleyballs and just plain bouncy balls give hours of pleasure to children of all ages. They can also be a problem to store where they are easily accessible and do not pose a safety hazard to folks trying to walk through the garage, the playroom or wherever they are kept. Large plastic storage tubs and colorful trash cans will serve to corral the balls, but a more organized approach is to store the balls with other equipment necessary to play the game. Here are a few alternatives that may offer some inspiration for getting your sport balls in order.

The Rubbermaid Sportsgear Organizer measures 36”x38”x18” and can hold a variety of balls, mitts, gloves and shoes. The International Sports Organizer with Bench is 36” long, has a sturdy wire bottom that allows ventilation and a cushioned bench on top that allows the athlete to sit and adjust equipment. It is made just like a toy chest, so it accommodates a lot of items and works for kids who just throw everything into a pile.

One of my favorite products is the Ball Claw, available at Target’s. It is an adjustable plastic claw that will hold footballs, basketballs, volleyballs and soccer balls. It comes in a wall-mountable style or with a strap so that it can be attached to a hook system or sport tote. This works well if you use a duffel bag to hold equipment for each sport your family members play. A particularly good organizing bag for baseball and bats is the Mizano Organizing bag with wheels. Specialty storage items for most sports can be found at http://www.ssw.com/.

If you would like to try your hand at building a sports ball and equipment storage center yourself, an excellent example can be found at http://www.diynetwork.com/.

Even if all your ball games do not end in victory, may you have fun playing them.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize a Car Trunk

I have not driven a car with a trunk for eighteen years. So last week, when I was forced to drive a loaner while I waited for my wheels, I again became acquainted with the challenges of transporting things in a car trunk. I had forgotten how limited the space is and how the interior is so rigidly defined. There is no way to stack a little higher or move a seat further up to accommodate items that need just a silly millimeter more room. That started me thinking about when I did have a car with a trunk, two children with lots of school activities and a full time job that required having information with me while I traveled to various locations. That is not to mention beach chairs, sports equipment and my husband’s photography equipment and various scouting projects. I recall a few tricks that helped me find what I needed and keep all the members of the family on speaking terms as we shared trunk space.

First make room for things that keep you safe. A good spare tire or driving ring and a roadside emergency kit are essentials. Many cars have special compartments for these items. No matter how tempted you are to put something else in these spaces, don’t. An acquaintance, who had a band, emptied everything out of his trunk to carry his music equipment and was a bit miffed when he broke down on his way to a gig and had no way to change a tire and no tire to change. Better to arrive safe and late than not at all.

When deciding what to keep in the trunk, categorize and separate. Use large zip-lock bags, cloth bags or plastic containers to hold like things and label them so they are easily identifiable.

Keep sports equipment and gym clothes in separate containers with odor eater charcoal bags.

Keep a couple of collapsible totes for special transport of things like groceries and school projects.

When carting beach chairs or beach toys, wrap them in a large sheet or blanket. Remove the whole packet from the car when you return home and shake out the covering. This will keep sand out of the trunk.

Fitting things in a trunk is often like putting a puzzle together. The pieces only fit one way, so put things back where they came from. Easier said than done, but something to which we can aspire.

I am no longer struggling with fitting things in a trunk, but with the trend leaning to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, I might have that challenge in my future. I remember what works and I think I’m ready…. Although hauling furniture from estate sales will still be a problem.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

AVOID GARAGE CLUTTER

Do you keep your car in your garage? The U. S. Department of Energy reports that 25% of people with two car garages don’t park any cars in there and that 32% parked only one car, although they had at least two cars in the household. The National Association of Professional Organizers reports that 50% of homeowners rate the garage as the most disorganized space in the house. The report also states that the garage is a place the whole family uses regularly, a fact that adds to the challenge of keeping the space free of clutter.

The garage becomes the storage place for all the stuff that won’t fit in the house and all the stuff that is designated for outside use. It is a convenient place to drop off items that you need to haul elsewhere sometime in the future and messy projects that would create cleaning problems in the main living space. It is the place the kids drop of skateboards and bicycles and surfboards. So what can you do to reclaim the space for your car or at least bring some order to what you really use the garage for.

Here are a few simple tips for keeping garage clutter at bay.

1. Sort the garage contents into categories. Some examples are: sports equipment, wood working, yard maintenance, holiday storage. While sorting, discard any equipment that is broken or obsolete.

2. Create a zone for items in each category. Estimate the space you need for storage of each category and plan how to accommodate it in the space available. Consider systems that hang equipment on walls and overhead storage platforms. Shelves and cubbies can store cleaning products and instruction manuals as well as miscellaneous items. Also consider storage sheds and all-weather storage bins for storage of some items outside the garage.


3. When storing items used by children, make sure they are within reach of the users. Also review with the children and other family members the expectation that things are put back in designated spaces.

4. Create a drop off center at the point of entry to the garage from the house. Do not allow the number of items in that space to overflow before you deal with them.

5. Do a “garage check” once a month to make sure things are where they belong. Make it part of the regular housekeeping schedule.

6. Make sure the members of the household know the rules for maintaining the space and participate in the clean-ups when the clutter begins to pile up.

With a little planning and upkeep you will be able to open the garage bay without embarrassment when the neighbors are looking and maybe even park your car in there.


Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net