Garden rooms have become a popular sight in many gardens across the country. These are an effective way to expand the home and give owners the opportunity to get creative and make the most of their garden. Garden rooms have the potential to be converted into a whole range of useful spaces, including home cinemas, offices, fitness suites, and even your very own wellness space.
Home gyms and fitness studios are one of the most innovative uses for these handy spaces. A garden gym room makes it easy for you to include fitness into your busy life, without having to renovate the garage or other occupied space on your property, and could save you money on an expensive gym membership. This article will tell you all you need to know about building the perfect home gym from a simple garden room.
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Why build a gym/fitness studio in your garden?
Practicality is the main reason that many people will decide to build a garden gym—after all, the gym is on your doorstep, which makes it far easier to access on busy days. There are also a number of other reasons why building a bespoke garden gym is a good idea.
Private space
Garden studios offer a space to work out that is completely private. This is beneficial for anyone who experiences workout nerves or simply likes the idea of using equipment without having to wait your turn.
Private spaces also allow you to tweak the interior of your gym in any way you want, to make it the perfect workout space for you. This means that you can be in control of the temperature, the music and the layout of different machines and weights. You can make your home gym into the perfect escape from reality.
Guaranteed safety
In a public gym, you can never be sure whether other people will pay attention to the safety guidelines or how they’re going to behave. Having your own workout space in your garden, separate from the main house, means you can take responsibility for your own safety without the presence of other people increasing your chance of accident or injury.
You should, however, pay attention to the safety advice provided with any equipment you intend to use. Having a home gym means you have complete control of the equipment you install, so you can (and should) spend some time researching the right pieces of kit for you.
Save time and money
Many people will purchase a gym membership only to skip sessions due to the long journey that it takes to get there or a clash in timetables around other commitments such as work and childcare. For busy people, joining a gym that is 30 minutes away simply isn’t practical and missing sessions is a serious waste of money—some gyms charge up to £70 per month!
The initial investment may seem high but the cost of creating a gym in your garden will save a significant amount of money that would have otherwise been paid in monthly memberships. Home gyms are far more convenient to access, so you will get more use from the space than you would a commercial gym and prove the investment was worthwhile.
Planning a gym/fitness studio in your garden
As with any investment purchase, creating a gym room in your garden requires planning and preparation. Home gyms are far more than a few weights and a speaker system—you will need to take lots of things into consideration before installation. The main aspects to think about before construction takes place are size, equipment, flexibility and temperature control.
Size
Before settling on a design for your home gym, you will need to understand how much space your garden can accommodate and the amount of room you will require inside the building. Overhead exercise or movements that include jumping may require higher ceilings, and cardio-based workouts may need more floor space. You should also consider the dimensions of any equipment that you plan to fit into the gym room and work out how much space will be needed to comfortably fit everything in.
Equipment
Equipment can be pricey, so it is important that you only buy what you need. Don’t make the mistake of buying any equipment that you can get your hands on, just because you’ve seen it in other home gyms. Think about the workouts that you do and purchase equipment that you are guaranteed to use. This will save you money and will help to make the space more efficient.
Room flexibility
Your gym studio could potentially be used for other purposes and it is important to think about this when designing the space. For example, some people may double their garden gym as an office during working hours, and others may use the room for entertaining guests when they visit. If you do plan to use your garden gym for other reasons, ensure that any equipment that you buy is easily movable and that lighting/temperature is adequate for other uses.
Temperature control
The temperature of a garden gym is often overlooked, but it is an essential part of creating an ideal workout space. You should consider all of your options including insulation, heating and air conditioning and ensure that your home gym sits at an optimal temperature for your workouts.
The Garden Retreats pod
The Garden Retreats pod is the perfect space for any garden gym or fitness studio. The pods comes in three different sizes and are designed to be modular, so can be joined together if you need extra space for your workouts. These pods are also easy to take with you if you ever move, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your beloved home gym behind.
Garden Retreats pods are made from glass reinforced plastic and carbon fibre, creating a lightweight be highly durable frame and roof. These materials require 75% less energy for production and transportation than steel, and can be quickly fitted together onsite for swift installation.
The pods are able to withstand expansion, erosion and damage, making them the perfect garden accessory for coping with the weight of heavy gym equipment. The composite cladding material also protects your building from condensation.
You can customise your pod to suit your needs, with a choice of patio or bifold doors, a selection of wall panels and floor tiling, and optional roof terrace with spiral staircase and decking if your space can accommodate them. Electrics and heating are included internally, and your pod comes with a 25-year warranty for peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions
What will your garden gym need to meet any building regulations?
Garden Retreats pods have pre-approval, so are building regulations compliant. In general, garden rooms generally don’t need planning permission as long as they do not include sleeping accommodation.
Is a garden room a good investment?
Garden rooms can be made into practical gym studio areas that will save you time and money in the long run. They can also be used for a variety of other reasons and are a great extension to any home. Garden rooms are durable and can be used for years, so you will definitely get a lot of use from your investment.