Your Garden Gym

As with any new room, you should consider everything that you want to put into your garden gym and all the additional space that you need. We suggest making a list of all the elements that will demand floor-space, such as:

• Running machine, rower, bike, cross-trainer…
• Floor exercise and stretch-out area
• Weight machines, benches and frames
• Weight and equipment racks
• Sitting / relaxation zone

Many buildings we design are installed without the need for Planning Permission and must adhere to Permitted Development Rights regulations. This often limits the overall height of the building to 2.5metres, where it is within 2metres of a garden boundary. The internal headroom will be around 2.15 metres (this may vary with different size buildings. This will not usually give enough headroom for a full range of gym and fitness activities. Please consider the activities that you want to be able to perform, for example:

• Cross trainer (you reach heights significantly above your body height on some models)
• Free weightlifting
• Anti-Gravity Yoga

If additional ceiling height is essential, then this may be achieved by locating your garden gym further away from the boundary (if possible and acceptable). Higher structures are permitted which will give greater headroom. Alternatively, we can discuss applying for planning permission for a taller building.

Here are questions that will help in deciding the amount of glazing and the location of windows and doors in your garden gym:

• Which way does the building face? – does lots of sunshine appeal, or a little more shade?
• Do you require lots of wall space for equipment and / or mirrors?
• Will the room be used for other uses – general family space, office, etc?
• Do you want to be able to open the room up to the garden?

Will this room need to be adapted to other uses in the future? For instance, if you were to move to a new house then the new owners may be more excited over an art studio or children’s room. The doors and windows have a big impact on the appearance, usage and, sometimes, cost of your garden gym, so we will help guide you when you have clarified your priorities.

How hot or cold do you want the room to be. Warm for yoga, cool for running, fans for cycling or open air for anytime? Here are the most common features and their pro’s and cons:

• Air conditioning/climate control: Perfect for cooling and for economical heating in the winter. Simple, to use, not too intrusive, though there will be the external unit to position. This is always a popular choice.
• Underfloor heating: A gentle heat that suits yoga. No intrusion of wall or floor space and accurate controls. This is not suitable for placing under heavy equipment or thick matting so may not be the best choice for multi-purpose gyms.
• Opening Windows and doors: If you like fresh air, then this is the answer. The size of openings and the ability to create a through draught is important, even in poor weather.
• Window blinds: To protect against solar gain, blinds can be important. Integrated into the glass or simply attached to window surrounds – we can advise.