Article: Customer Case Study: An open pool house in Balen converted into a 19 m² home gym
Customer Case Study: An open-concept pool house in Balen converted into a 19 m² home gym
Written by Thibaud Martens, fitness advisor at Fitnessdepot
In Balen, we converted an open pool house into a home gym measuring approximately 19 m², centered around the Martech M8 2.0 Ace cable rack, a hexagon dumbbell set ranging from 5 to 30 kg, and a Body-Solid hyperextension machine. The concrete walls were fitted with custom-made wooden acoustic panels, and the floor was covered with Easy Clean rubber flooring. The estimated budget ranged from €12,500 to €15,000, including the flooring, panels, and installation.
| Project | Private individual, home gym in a poolhouse |
| Location | Balen (Antwerp Province) |
| Space | approx. 19 m² (4.89 x 3.89 m) |
| Equipment | Martech M8 2.0 Ace Cable Rack, 2 x 100 kg (228 cm version), hexagonal dumbbell set, 5 to 30 kg, with two-tier rack, Body-Solid 45° hyperextension |
| Finish | 20 m² of custom-cut Easy Clean sports flooring, custom-cut wooden acoustic wall panels |
| Budget | €12,500 to €15,000, including flooring, panels, and installation |
What the client wanted
- A fully equipped home gym in the pool house, so that working out at home is just as comprehensive as at a fitness center.
- One machine for strength training and cable exercises, instead of a row of separate machines.
- A warm, peaceful space—even though the pool house was originally an open-air structure with bare concrete walls.
Our approach
The centerpiece of the home gym is the Martech M8 2.0 Ace cable rack. A single frame houses a half rack with J-cups and spotter arms for squats and bench presses, a cable station with two 100-kg weight stacks in 1:1 and 2:1 ratios, and a pull-up bar. Since the Ace version without the Smith machine is about 112.5 cm deep, there’s enough free floor space in the 19 m² area to move around the rack.
We chose the 228-centimeter-tall version. The pulleys are mounted on top of the rack, so you don't lose any range of motion during lat pulldowns, while you have more space left under the ceiling for pull-ups.
The hexagon dumbbell set, ranging from 5 to 30 kg, is stored on a two-tier rack against the side wall, keeping the dumbbells neatly organized and the floor clear. The Body-Solid hyperextension machine rounds out the workout routine for the lower back, glutes, and hamstrings.
For the finishing touches, we chose custom-made wooden acoustic panels. In a space with concrete walls and a glass facade, every sound echoes; the panels dampen that echo and give the pool house a warm, inviting look. The 2-centimeter-thick Easy Clean sports floor protects the tile floor underneath from falling weights and is easy to keep clean.
The 3D design
Before anything was delivered, the customer was able to see in 3D how the rack, the dumbbells, and the panels would look in the pool house.
From an open pool house to a home gym
This is what the pool house looked like before it was furnished: an open-air structure with concrete walls and a tiled floor.
And this is how it looks now: the space is enclosed by sliding glass walls, the walls are clad in wood paneling, and the equipment sits on a black rubber floor.
The installation
Our team installed the custom-made sports flooring, mounted the acoustic panels, and set up and calibrated the M8 Ace and the other equipment. We took the packaging waste with us and cleaned the space so the customer could start training right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much space do you need for a Martech M8 Ace with a barbell rack?
With about 19 m² of space, you can fit an M8 Ace cable rack, a barbell set with a rack, and an additional piece of equipment such as a hyperextension machine, and still have some floor space left over. The Ace cable rack is about 112.5 cm deep and 134 cm wide; you’ll also need to allow for clear space around it for barbell and cable exercises.
Will you choose the M8 Ace that's 228 or 238 cm tall?
If you have limited ceiling height, the 228-cm version is usually the best choice. The pulleys are mounted on top of the rack, so you retain the full range of motion for lat pulldowns, and you have more space above the rack for pull-ups.
Why use acoustic panels in a home gym?
Acoustic panels reduce the echo caused by footsteps and music in rooms with hard walls, such as concrete or glass. Wooden slat panels also give the room a warm, polished look.
Can you install a rubber sports floor over a tile floor?
Yes. The 2-cm-thick rubber tiles are laid loosely on top of the existing floor and protect the tiles from falling dumbbells. We cut them to size and connect them with connectors so they don't shift.
See also: a pool house in Hasselt converted into a home gym, choosing a 1:1 or 2:1 cable ratio, and selecting a rubber sports floor. Want to have your space designed too? Send us the dimensions and a few photos via “Have a home gym designed,” and we’ll create a free 3D design for you. You can read more about our process under “Fitness installation by our team.”
"Realization 2026," published on November 9, 2026.
