An Easy Lift: Tara’s Home Gym

Tara Farquhar (@tarafarqfit) is a personal trainer in New Orleans. When she started her fitness gym training business, she worked out with clients in her garage. But it wasn’t comfortable, and Tara even got sick from the exertion in New Orleans’ punishing heat. 

It was time to try something else—and when it comes to home gyms, Tuff Shed has gotten our reps in: one, and two, and three, and four. 

Tara’s Tuff Shed Home Gym

Tara and her husband discussed adding an addition to the house, but the price was just too steep. Her contractor recommended Tuff Shed instead. 

Tara worked with a Tuff Shed sales and design consultant to customize her dream home gym. They started with the 12×20’ Premier Pro Tall Barn and added features like 15’ vaulted ceilings, a loft for storage, and double doors so Tara can get fresh air on nice days. 

Just a couple of days after she placed the order, Tara’s home gym was built, installed, and ready for use. She and her husband added insulation, drywall, AC, the must-have gym mirrors, and rubber floors. Tara made sure to get the floors double-reinforced—i.e., strong enough to handle weighted medicine balls being slammed to the ground. 

Tara’s only regret? She wishes she had gotten a bigger one. 

Even still, she’s got room for a squat rack, cable machine, rowing machine, stereo system, two benches, and two clients at a time. 

Talk about gains

Tara’s clients love her Tuff Shed gym even more than she does. One of her trainees who has been with Tara since the garage days told her, “This was the best idea you’ve ever had.” It also helps her impress new clients who are looking for privacy without losing any quality equipment or training space. 

Tara says, looking back, it’s hard to believe she was working out in her garage. 

A locker room pep talk from Tara

We asked Tara if she had any advice for people on the fence about getting a Tuff Shed. She told us:

“Just go for it! It doesn’t hurt to just go and look at the models. Don’t worry about it being a shed. It can be so much more than just a shed.”

“It can be so much more than just a shed.”

Take Tara’s advice and get in touch with a Tuff Shed rep, or head to the free online configurator to build your dream building. 

Or read our DIY Guide: Turn Your Shed into a Home Gym.