Having a garden room on your property gives you limitless options. The space can be turned into anything you like – a room for guests, an office, and even your own personal gym! If you are a fan of the healthy lifestyle or just trying to stay in shape, setting up a comfortable place for exercise with all the right equipment will bring you many benefits. So, let’s take a look at them:
Benefits of a garden gym
First and foremost, this will be the private gym that you can work out in any time you want without memberships or, most importantly, sharing it with others. Going to the gym is an obvious choice for people who wish to be fit, but not everybody feels comfortable when there are other people around. This can make you feel shy, or even distract you from your exercises. Sometimes you even have to wait for your turn to use the gym equipment. If you are one of these people, then a garden room gym with some beautiful flowers is definitely the way to go.
Visiting the countryside gives you the opportunity to be active, whether it’s work in the garden or going on hikes. Spending time in the fresh air really motivates you to move around instead of sitting on the couch all day. Having a gym in the garden room will motivate you even further, especially if you make working out a part of your daily routine.
Organizing the Garden Room
Even the smallest garden room may be converted into a gym if you use the space wisely. Think about what type of exercises you want to do and what is needed to do them. For instance, if you wish to do yoga in the garden room, make sure you organize a space to put your yoga mat so you can move around freely without bumping into anything. If you do cardio, remember that not all treadmills are large and bulky. Some models are specifically designed to fit into small spaces, and most of them are relatively lightweight and portable.
Before setting up all the necessary equipment, consider getting rid of any old furniture that you don’t need anymore. Decide on what type of flooring you want to have in the gym. If you aren’t quite happy with the floors that you currently have and feel that it won’t be comfortable enough for your workout, consider covering the floor with foam tiles that will protect your joints and the floor itself.
The gym doesn’t necessarily need to be set up in the garden room. If you live in a dry and sunny area, you always have the option of setting up the gym outside. All you need to do is construct a canopy that will protect the equipment from the sun, dirt, and other outdoor factors. The canopy can be fully or partially covered, stand separately or be connected to a building.
Tools and Materials You Will Need
Any DIY project requires tools to get the job done. If you do not have a toolbox, you can save money by borrowing tools or buying them second-hand. Here is a list of everything that will come in handy:
- A power drill
- A hammer
- Nails or screws
- Metal shelf supports
Setting Up the Gym
Before ordering any equipment, it’s better to start by drawing up a plan of the garden room and measuring the area of the room. This will help you visualize where each piece of equipment will go and how well it fits. Organize a seperate space for storing things like jump ropes, weights, and dumbbells and a bathtub for after-shower. You can do this by setting up shelves or repurposing an old shoe cabinet.
Make a list of all the equipment you would like to order for your gym, and make sure you will actually be using it. 3-4 pieces of large equipment (treadmill, exercise bike, weight bench) and smaller items like a stability ball or pull-up bar is more than enough for a full workout.
Another great option for any gym is a climbing set which usually includes a ladder, gymnastic rings, pull-up bar, or rope. It’s very easy to install and doesn’t take up too much space thanks to its compact design.
Obviously, most of the gym equipment is powered by electricity and needs to be plugged in, so if there is no electricity in the garden room, it must be provided either from the main house or another energy source.
For a comfortable workout, the temperature in the garden room gym has to be just right all year round. Installing a thermostat will help you maintain and control the temperature so it doesn’t get too hot in the summer or too cold during the winter.
While setting up your own gym and stocking up on equipment may seem very expensive, it really pays off in the long run, especially if you order high-quality equipment and materials. So, instead of buying a gym membership, why not start investing in a gym of your own?
