Garden Gyms

Shower and WC in a Garden Gym

Adding a shower and WC to a garden gym can make the space much more practical, particularly where the gym is used regularly, by more than one person or as part of a larger multi purpose garden room.
 

A shower can allow you to train and change without needing to return to the house, while a WC can make the gym more self contained and convenient.
 

A garden gym with shower and WC may include:

• Walk in shower

• WC

• Small wash hand basin

• Heated towel rail

• Mechanical extract ventilation

• Waterproof wall finishes

• Slip resistant flooring

• Hot and cold water supplies

• Foul drainage

• Electric water heating or connection to the house system
   

The important issue is that the plumbing and drainage should be considered at the design stage.
 

Adding a shower or WC later can be significantly more difficult if the floor construction, drainage route and service connections have not already been planned.
 

The introduction of sanitary accommodation can also affect the Building Regulations requirements for the garden room, particularly in relation to drainage, ventilation, electrical safety, hot water and insulation.
 

Where a shower or WC is proposed, we can adapt the layout of one of our garden room designs so the sanitary area is properly incorporated into the overall plan rather than simply squeezed into the remaining space.

 

Heating a Garden Gym

An insulated garden gym usually requires relatively modest heating compared with an uninsulated building.

Options can include:

• Electric panel heaters

• Infrared heating

• Electric underfloor heating

• Air conditioning with heating function
   

The aim is not necessarily to create a very warm room.
 

For exercise, a comfortable background temperature combined with good ventilation is often more important.

 

Small Garden Gyms

A small garden gym can still be highly effective if the layout is carefully planned.
 

A compact gym might include:

• Exercise bike

• Adjustable bench

• Dumbbells

• Wall mounted storage

• Exercise mat area

• Compact cable machine

• Mirrors
   

Multi purpose equipment can help make better use of limited floor area.
 

A smaller garden gym can also be combined with another use, such as an office or studio.

 

Garden Gym Pods

 

A garden gym pod is a useful option where the available space is limited or where you want the gym to occupy only a small part of the garden.

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A pod style design can work particularly well for:

• Cardio training

• Free weights

• Yoga

• Personal training

• Compact home gyms

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The key is to keep the design simple and efficient.

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Garden Office and Gym Combined

 

A combined garden office and gym can be one of the most practical ways to use a larger garden room.

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Rather than constructing separate buildings, the space can be divided into different zones.

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Possible arrangements include:

• Office at one end and gym at the other

• Separate office and gym rooms

• Open plan office and fitness space

• Gym with built in desk area

• Studio, office and gym combined

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A multi use building can provide better value from the available garden space and allow the room to adapt as your needs change.

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Garden Gyms With Mirrors

 

Mirrors are useful for checking form, but they also help make a gym feel larger and brighter.

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Large wall mirrors can be positioned opposite glazing or along the main training wall.

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When planning mirrors, consider:

• Equipment positions

• Electrical outlets

• Wall construction

• Fixings

• Lighting

• Reflections from windows

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It is much easier to plan these elements before the room is built.

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Lighting for a Garden Gym

 

Lighting should be practical as well as attractive.

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Good gym lighting might include:

• Ceiling downlights

• Linear LED lighting

• Feature lighting

• Mirror lighting

• External lighting

• Dimmable lighting

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Natural light is valuable, but the room should also work comfortably during early mornings and evenings.

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Garden Gym Storage

 

Gym equipment quickly creates clutter if storage is not planned.

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Useful storage can include:

• Wall mounted weight racks

• Shelving

• Cupboards

• Bench storage

• Hooks

• Vertical equipment storage

• Separate storage compartments

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A larger garden outbuilding gym can also incorporate a dedicated storage room for garden equipment or bicycles.

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Garden Calisthenics Gyms

 

A garden calisthenics gym requires a slightly different approach.

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The design may need to accommodate:

• Pull up bars

• Rings

• Wall bars

• Resistance bands

• Training rigs

• Open floor areas

• Higher ceilings

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Fixing points and structural support should be considered at the design stage rather than added later.

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Where Should a Garden Gym Be Positioned?

 

The position of the building can affect privacy, temperature, access and how enjoyable it is to use.

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Consider:

• Orientation

• Morning and evening sun

• Privacy

• Views into the garden

• Relationship with neighbours

• Access from the house

• Trees

• Boundaries

• Drainage

• Electrical supply

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A gym with large glazed doors facing the garden can create a much more open feeling while still providing a dedicated indoor training environment.

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Do Garden Gyms Need Planning Permission?

 

Many garden gyms can potentially be built under permitted development rights, but this should not simply be assumed.

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The planning position can depend on:

• Building height

• Position within the garden

• Distance from boundaries

• Amount of garden occupied

• Intended use

• Listed building status

• Conservation areas

• Previous planning conditions

• Removal of permitted development rights

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A domestic garden gym used as part of the main house will normally be considered differently from premises being operated as a separate commercial gym.

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Where there is uncertainty, the planning position should be checked before construction begins.

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Do Garden Gyms Need Building Regulations?

 

Whether Building Regulations approval is required depends on factors including the size of the building, its location, construction and use.

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Additional considerations can arise with:

• Larger garden buildings

• Buildings close to boundaries

• Electrical installations

• Drainage

• Structural loading

• Fire safety

• Specialist equipment

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Where Building Regulations apply, the technical design needs to demonstrate compliance with the relevant requirements.

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Building a Garden Gym

 

There are several ways to create a garden gym.

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You could:

• Buy a complete installed garden room

• Purchase a prefabricated garden gym

• Use a specialist garden room company

• Employ a local builder

• Manage the construction yourself

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APN Garden Rooms offers another route.

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You can purchase the design and technical information first, then choose who builds it.

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This gives you greater control over the contractor, materials, specification and budget.

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What Is Included in an APN Garden Gym Plan Pack?

 

Our Complete Design & Technical Plan Pack provides professionally prepared drawings and construction information for the garden room design you choose.

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The pack gives you and your builder a clear basis from which to price and construct the building.

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You can then decide how you want the project delivered.

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If you want to change one of our designs you can add the Adapt Your Design Package: £395 + VAT

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Choose a Garden Gym Design

 

Our collection includes garden room designs suitable for:

• Small garden gyms

• Insulated garden gyms

• Garden gym rooms

• Garden gym pods

• Large home gyms

• Garden office and gym combinations

• Gym and studio spaces

• Multi purpose garden rooms

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Choose the design closest to what you need and use it as the starting point for your project.

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Build More Garden Room for Your Budget

 

At APN Garden Rooms, we separate design from construction.

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Instead of buying a complete turnkey garden room from one supplier, you can purchase a professionally prepared design and technical plan pack and then obtain quotations from builders or manage the construction yourself.

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This gives you greater control over:

• Who builds your garden room

• What materials are used

• How much you spend

• Which products you choose

• When the work is carried out

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Depending on the specification, contractor and way the project is managed, this approach can potentially produce savings of 40% to 50% compared with some turnkey garden room packages.

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