How to Move a Gym, Garage, or Workshop: Heavy Equipment Done Right

A home gym or workshop is one of the most satisfying investments you can make in your home. It's also one of the most challenging things to move. Squat racks that weigh 400 lbs. Cable machines bolted to the floor. Tool chests loaded with a lifetime of equipment. Workbenches built into the space. None of it is easy, and none of it tolerates a careless approach.

At GoodGuys, we move large home gyms and workshops regularly. We've moved gyms on second and third floors of homes. We once moved a customer's entire basement workshop — 25,000 lbs of machinery — in a single job. If you have heavy equipment that needs to move, here's exactly how to do it right.

Moving a Home Gym

The Challenge with Gym Equipment

Home gyms present a unique combination of challenges that most moving companies aren't equipped to handle well:

• Extreme weight. A fully loaded power rack with plates can weigh 500–800 lbs. Olympic barbells, weight trees, and functional trainers add hundreds more. The cumulative weight of a serious home gym rivals a loaded truck.

• Awkward dimensions. Power racks, cable machines, and multi-station units are large, rigid, and often can't be tilted or laid on their side without damage.

• Multi-floor situations. Many Atlanta homes have gyms on the second or third floor, or in a basement. Getting equipment up or down stairs requires proper equipment, the right crew size, and technique that prevents injury to both the crew and the home.

• Assembly complexity. Most gym equipment is assembled on-site and can't simply be picked up and moved as a unit. Disassembly and reassembly is almost always required.

What GoodGuys Does

Specialty equipment for heavy loads. We use furniture dollies, appliance dollies, and heavy-duty straps specifically designed for extreme weight. Standard moving dollies aren't rated for the loads a home gym involves — we bring the right tools for the job.

Full disassembly and reassembly. GoodGuys disassembles and reassembles gym equipment as part of the move. Power racks broken down into uprights and crossmembers. Cable machines unbolted and deconstructed. Benches, plyo boxes, and storage units packed efficiently. We put it all back together at the new home exactly as it was.

Multi-floor capability. We've moved full gyms from second and third floors of homes in Atlanta. It takes more crew, more time, and more planning — but it's well within our capabilities. Flag the floor situation when you book so we can bring the right crew size.

Protecting your floors. Heavy gym equipment on hardwood, LVP, or tile floors without proper protection is a floor replacement waiting to happen. We use floor runners and furniture pads to protect every surface the equipment moves across.

Item-by-Item Gym Moving Guide

Power Racks and Squat Racks
Disassemble completely — uprights, crossmembers, safety arms, pull-up bars, and any attachments all come apart. Remove all weight plates before disassembly. Label hardware with tape and bags. Reassemble at the new location before any plates go back on.

Cable Machines and Functional Trainers
Cable machines are complex and heavy. Unload the weight stacks fully before moving — never try to move a cable machine with the weight stack loaded. Disassemble the frame where possible, and wrap all cables and pulleys carefully to prevent tangling or damage.

Olympic Barbells and Weight Plates
Barbells should be transported horizontally in barbell holders or wrapped individually in moving blankets. Weight plates should be loaded into boxes or on plate tree racks — never stacked loosely in a truck where they can shift and cause damage. A full set of bumper plates or iron plates can easily weigh 500+ lbs — distribute the load across multiple containers.

Cardio Equipment (Treadmills, Rowers, Bikes)
Fold treadmills where possible for transport. Rowers can usually be broken down into two sections. Assault bikes and stationary bikes transport well on dollies. Check manufacturer instructions for transport recommendations specific to your equipment.

Rubber Flooring and Mats
Gym flooring tiles and rolls are heavy and bulky. Roll flooring tightly and secure with stretch wrap. Stack tiles flat and protect corners from chipping. Label which room or section each tile goes to if you have a specific layout.

Moving a Garage Workshop

The Challenge with Workshop Equipment

A well-equipped garage workshop can hold tens of thousands of dollars of tools and machinery — and tens of thousands of pounds of weight. We once moved a customer's entire basement workshop that weighed 25,000 lbs. It was one of the most complex single-location moves we've done, and we completed it without a scratch.

Workshop moves are complex because:

• Machinery is heavy and precise. A table saw, band saw, or milling machine can't be tilted, dropped, or roughly handled without throwing off calibration that took hours to set.

• Tool chests are deceptively heavy. A fully loaded 10-drawer tool chest can weigh 800–1,000 lbs. Rolling them over a threshold or down a step without the right equipment causes tipping, damage, and injury.

• Access is often difficult. Garages and basements have thresholds, steps, and tight doorways that standard moving equipment struggles with.

• Fluids need to be handled. Gas-powered equipment and machinery with oil reservoirs require prep before moving.

What Customers Need to Do Before the Workshop Move

Drain all fluids from gas-powered equipment. Generators, air compressors with gas engines, lawnmowers, pressure washers, and any other gas-powered tools must have their fuel tanks drained before GoodGuys can transport them. Fuel in a closed truck is a fire hazard. Drain tanks completely and run the engine until it stops to clear the carburetor.

Drain oil where applicable. Some machinery — particularly older shop equipment — has oil reservoirs that should be drained for transport. Check your equipment manuals or ask the manufacturer.

Remove bits, blades, and accessories. Table saw blades, router bits, drill bits, and other sharp accessories should be removed and packed separately in labeled containers before moving. This protects both the crew and the equipment.

Empty tool chests. A fully loaded tool chest is almost impossible to move safely and puts enormous stress on the chest's structure and casters. Remove tools from all drawers, pack them in boxes or bins by drawer/category, and label them so reassembly is logical.

Item-by-Item Workshop Moving Guide

Tool Chests and Roll Carts
Empty all drawers completely. Tape drawers shut with painter's tape to prevent them from sliding open during the move. Use an appliance dolly with straps to move the chest — never tip or drag a tool chest. Protect casters from damage during loading.

Table Saws, Band Saws, and Stationary Power Tools
Remove blades and fence systems before moving. Secure any moving parts with tape or zip ties. Transport on an appliance dolly with padding on all contact points. These tools are precision instruments — rough handling affects calibration.

Workbenches
Solid workbenches are often extremely heavy. Clear all tools and equipment from the surface before moving. Determine in advance whether the bench can be moved as a unit or needs to be disassembled — many built workbenches need to be broken down to get through a doorway.

Air Compressors
Drain the tank completely before moving. Drain any condensation from the tank valve. For gas-powered compressors, drain the fuel. Transport upright where possible.

Welders and Heavy Equipment
Welders are heavy and contain sensitive electrical components. Transport upright on an appliance dolly. Secure gas cylinders separately — they must be transported upright and strapped securely. Gas cylinders should never be transported lying flat in an enclosed truck.

Pricing for Heavy Equipment Moves

GoodGuys' standard hourly rate applies to gym and workshop moves — $75/mover/hr on weekdays, $85/mover/hr on Saturdays, plus the $100 travel fee. But heavy equipment moves cost more than a standard household move for a straightforward reason: they take longer and require larger crews.

Here's how it breaks down:

• Crew size increases with load weight. A 500 lb power rack being moved down two flights of stairs requires 4 movers, not 2. More movers means a higher hourly rate, but the job also gets done faster and safer.

• Disassembly and reassembly adds time. A full gym disassembly and reassembly can add 2–4 hours to a move. Factor this into your budget.

• Access challenges add time. Stairs, tight doorways, long carries, and basement or upper-floor locations all add to the clock.

When you call for an estimate, describe your gym or workshop in detail — equipment types, approximate weights, floor levels, and access situation. The more we know, the more accurate your estimate will be.

Heavy Equipment Moving Checklist

Before Moving Day

• Drain fuel from all gas-powered equipment

• Drain oil reservoirs where applicable

• Remove all blades, bits, and sharp accessories from power tools

• Empty all tool chest drawers and pack tools in labeled bins

• Remove all weight plates from racks and machines

• Unload cable machine weight stacks

• Identify floor level and access route for each major item

• Flag all multi-floor equipment when booking

Moving Day

• Confirm crew size is appropriate for the heaviest items

• Ensure floor protection is in place before anything moves

• Verify all hardware is bagged and labeled for reassembly

• Check that gas cylinders are secured upright separately

At the New Location

• Confirm layout before crew begins reassembly

• Test all equipment after reassembly before crew departs

• Check tool calibration on precision machinery

Frequently Asked Questions

Does GoodGuys move home gyms on upper floors?
Yes — we've moved full home gyms from second and third floors of Atlanta homes. It requires a larger crew and more time, but it's well within our capabilities. Let us know the floor situation when you book.

Will GoodGuys reassemble my power rack and cable machine at the new home?
Yes — full disassembly and reassembly of gym equipment is included in our service. Let us know what needs to come apart when you book so we can bring the right tools.

How heavy of a load can GoodGuys handle?
We've moved a 25,000 lb basement workshop in a single job. There's no home gym or workshop we can't handle with the right crew and equipment.

Do I need to empty my tool chest before GoodGuys moves it?
Yes — always empty tool chests before moving. A fully loaded chest is a safety risk and can damage the chest's structure and casters. Pack tools by drawer in labeled bins for easy reassembly.

Does GoodGuys move gas-powered equipment?
Yes, as long as fuel tanks are fully drained before the move. Run the engine until it stops to clear the carburetor. We can't transport equipment with fuel in an enclosed truck.

How much does it cost to move a home gym or workshop?
Our standard rate of $75/mover/hr (weekdays) or $85/mover/hr (Saturdays) applies, plus a $100 travel fee. Heavy equipment moves require larger crews and more time — describe your setup in detail when you request an estimate and we'll give you an accurate number. Get a free estimate here.

Have a serious home gym or workshop that needs to move? Get a free estimate from GoodGuys and tell us what you're working with — we’ve seen it all, and we’ll move it right.