The corona pandemic was a major setback for Germany's fitness studios and they will probably struggle with its consequences for years to come. Many people have already canceled their membership and discovered online workouts. If you want to train comfortably at home, you can also create your own training room. The possibilities for this are numerous, especially if you live in a house and have enough space. Because garden sheds can be installed within 15 to 20 days, typically do not require planning permission and can be built to a bespoke design, they are becoming popular solutions forHome Gyms. Below we list the advantages of a gym in the garden house and also give you some tips on what you should pay attention to when setting it up.
Advantages of a gym in your own garden
We all know exercise is good for your health, but with busy life schedules and crowded gyms, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find the time and space for a workout. In this regard, a fitness studio in the garden house offers the highest level of flexibility. If you like the idea but aren't sure if the investment is right for you, we've put together 5 benefits of a garden shed gym to help you make a decision.
1) You have privacy
The fear of many people who struggle with obesity is having to exercise in front of strangers. If you want to feel confident while working out, a home gym may be the solution. This will make you feel more relaxed in your own environment and even challenged to achieve more and do your best during training. Even if family and friends are in the house, you have control over their privacy in the garden house gym.
2) There are no time restrictions for your training
Are the opening times of the local gym not suitable for you? Then this may be one of the main reasons why you can't find time to exercise in your already busy schedule. Having a gym at home can help you avoid this and yourAdapt routine to your lifestyle. And another bonus: there are no long journey times there and back.
If you feel like stretching your entire body with yoga in the evening after a long day at work, or if you have time to do a few laps on the cross trainer half an hour before work, you can do so in your gym in the garden house is open 24 hours!
3) It won't be crowded
Gyms can be very busy, especially at the start of the year when everyone is on a health kick and getting excitedNew Year's resolutionshave made. Sometimes there are even queues in front of the most frequently used devices. In a home gym, on the other hand, you can enjoy your workout in peace and also spend as much time with the equipment as you want since there is no one there to pressure you to complete the exercise faster. With regard to the Corona situation, it can also be mentioned that the risk of infection is also eliminated.
4) There are no monthly membership costs
It's no secret that a gym membership is expensive. The gym costs vary between 40 and 95 euros. Of course, a garden house also involves a large investment, but after the initial costs, you can enjoy your garden gym for more than 30 years without any additional payments.
5) You can choose what equipment you have in the home gym
When you pay for a gym membership, you're also paying for equipment you don't use for your workout. One of the great benefits of designing a backyard gym is that you can choose exactly what equipment you put there. This means you can develop your fitness routine to consist only of exercises that you enjoy doing and that work for you.
You may prefer or use weights over cardio, or aerobics and Pilates over exercise machinesResistance bands? Since it's your building, you have the choice of what equipment and furnishings you place there so you can customize your gym to suit your needs.
Set up a garden house as a fitness room
The key to designing an effective and practical gym in your garden shed is to carefully consider the characteristics of the space at the design stage. In addition to the external appearance, the most important points include the equipment, electrical and heating installations, ventilation and temperature control.
Which equipment for your home fitness?
When designing a home gym, you must first consider the equipment you want to install. Certain items, like cross trainers and treadmills, not only take up a lot of space, but can also be a real problem if the ceiling is low.
Pay attention to height restrictions or building permit requirements and find out about the size criteria for garden sheds in the respective state. In Bavaria, Baden-Würtemberg, Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, a building permit is only required for gross volumes of 75 m³ or more. But in Berlin, Bremen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia you need a building permit for a gross volume of 10 m³ or more.
In most cases, however, it is an advantage if the ceiling height of a garden house is between 2 and 2.5 m, as higher ceilings ensure that you do not feel restricted while exercising.
In addition to the ceiling, the walls are also essential. For a garden house, many owners choose large glass surfaces and few frames to let in as much natural light as possible. However, the design and placement of doors and windows are key to creating a functional workout space. Too many windows can limit space for devices. You also need to consider privacy, especially if youlive in a terraced house.
The equipment also determines the type of flooring. If you use dumbbells, it is important that you lay down a floor protection mat. 15 millimeters is the minimum size here. On surfaces where equipment stands or cardio is done, a thickness of 6 to 12 mm is sufficient. Otherwise, robust parquet or laminate is also suitable as they are easy to clean. This is especially important after an intense, sweaty workout!
Electrical and heating installation
Although this may not be the most exciting part of the design process, it is really important to consider the final layout as this is theSockets for floor installationas well as the type of lighting and heating.
They are particularly practical hereSockets for floor installationto avoid cable tangles and tripping hazards. Recessed spotlights are also always a good choice. It is important to use LED lighting because it not only prevents your garden house from getting too hot, but also saves enormous energy costs. Dimmers or even multiple circuits are also a good option so that the lighting meets all requirements.
Another element that cannot be missing in a home gym is an entertainment system. For most people, a television and a sound system are a must for training. When designing your gym, you should consider in-wall or in-ceiling speakers as they save space and provide much better sound quality. With a Bluetooth device, you can connect your phone or iPod to play your favorite music through the speakers.
The external appearance
Many people focus on what to put in their garden shed and don't consider how it will look from the outside. However, it is important to consider how the external appearance fits into your garden. The finished gym will likely be visible from the house and the last thing anyone wants to look at is a wooden box that stands out starkly from the rest of the garden!
Folding doors are currently very popular because they can open directly into the garden and create the illusion of a huge space. However, it limits the wall space for fitness equipment.
We also recommend adapting the landscaping accordingly to integrate the building harmoniously into the garden. A green roof or two large pots of hydrangeas, for example, are a good idea. You can also make the walkway that leads to the garden house more beautiful and inviting.
Ventilation and temperature control from the gym in the garden house
When it comes to heating and cooling a gym, air conditioning is a must. Most garden rooms have good quality insulation and, combined with the heat generated by high-intensity exercise, the room can get quite hot. The air conditioning keeps the room cool and can heat it in the colder months, although this is less of a concern. For good ventilation, make sure there are at least two windows so you can create airflow.
Create a versatile space
High-quality garden houses are characterized by their great longevity. Therefore, we always recommend that you consider how they can be used in the long term and how their purpose may change over time as this could be reflected in the design. While you may need a workout room right now, in a few years you may find yourself using the space as a guest room, sewing room,Homeofficeor use it as a retreat to pursue a hobby such as painting.
