Occasionally, I like to change my workout environment, and one of my favorite unorthodox places to train is my close friend's fully functional home gym he built in a shed.
With his expertise in construction and passion for fitness, he was the perfect person to interview for insights on creating the ultimate shed-to-gym conversion.
As we walked through his impressive workout space, I eagerly noted every detail to share with you in the article.
Quick Summary
- To ensure a functional and cost-effective garden gym or home gym shed, it is crucial to follow a set of key steps.
- An ideal garden shed or storage shed for a garden gym should have ample space and proper insulation.
- The positive aspects of the garden gym are convenience, flexibility, and cost savings.
How to Turn a Shed Into a Garden Gym?
To turn a shed into your workout space, you must have a good plan and vision.
With the right approach, a garden gym shed or backyard shed can be a cost-effective and convenient way to get in shape and stay active without needing a gym membership.
However, you must follow a few crucial steps to build a long-lasting home gym.
1. Make Room
The first step in turning your shed into a workout shed is to assess the space—you need to clear out the shed completely to get a fair idea of how much gym space you have and what equipment could fit in your shed gym.
2. Add the Right Flooring
Since you’ll use the shed as an exercise space, you should install a high-quality hard-wearing gym floor.
The shed floor should be soft enough to protect your joints during high-impact exercises but strong enough to support the weight.
Consider artificial turf, rubber tiles, carpet tiles, or foam covering.
Related: How to Install Home Gym Flooring
3. Power up the Shed
If you don’t have electricity in your garden shed already, you need to power it up to run some gym machines like an exercise bike or rowing machine.
Remember to select the gym machines you will use for your workout first to get a fair idea of how many power points you’ll need for installation.
Even if you plan to equip the backyard gym with only free weights, you’ll still need electrical connections for lights, fans, and music.
4. Set up Air Ventilation & Circulation
Proper circulation is essential for a comfortable workout, so make sure to optimize the airflow in your garden gym shed to help you exercise for longer and expedite results [1].
Windows on both sides will keep the shed naturally cross-ventilated, but you can always support airflow with air circulation products.
5. Get Appropriate Shed Gym Equipment
Since the shed is significantly smaller than a gym, you should pick a few multi-functional pieces of equipment, such as adjustable weights, power cages, power towers, or home gym machines.
These will allow you to perform different exercises and target various muscle groups while saving space.
Don’t forget to install racks, shelves, and cabinets for a yoga mat, weight plates, or dumbbells to keep the floor space tidy.
You can install these storage units on the wall or hang them from the ceiling.
Also Read: Top-Rated Home Gym Equipment
What Characteristics Should an Ideal Shed Have?
An ideal shed for workouts should have enough space and proper insulation to support your planned fitness activities.
When converting a shed into an outdoor gym, it's crucial to factor in the size of the shed and the equipment you intend to use, especially considering the height of large exercise machines, which often exceed 84 inches.
A good rule of thumb is to ensure the shed has at least a foot or two of additional clearance above the tallest equipment piece.
Additionally, proper insulation is key to maintaining a comfortable workout environment and reducing energy consumption.
This insulation not only helps regulate temperature but also minimizes the noise from weights and music.
If your outdoor gym shed lacks insulation, options like foam boards, fiberglass rolls, or pre-cut rock wool can be added to enhance its insulation capabilities.
What Benefits Does Home Gym Bring?
A home gym brings numerous benefits, and one of the primary advantages is its convenience and flexibility.
With a home gym, you can work out whenever suits you best without being constrained by gym hours or crowded facilities.
Moreover, a backyard gym allows you to personalize your workout space to cater to your specific fitness needs, whether that entails strength training, cardio equipment, or a combination.
Another significant benefit is the privacy and comfort a home gym affords.
You can exercise without worrying about others watching or waiting for equipment.
The versatility of a shed gym allows for endless possibilities, whether creating a serene yoga studio with ample natural light or a dedicated corner for weightlifting with all the necessary equipment.
The key lies in utilizing the available space to create your ideal fitness sanctuary.
FAQs
What Type of Shed Is Best for a Home Gym?
The best type of shed for a home gym is one that is large enough to fit all the equipment you want to include, has good natural lighting, durable flooring, the ability to control the climate, and proper lighting for evening workouts.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Shed Gym?
The cost of building a shed gym can vary greatly depending on the size, materials, and equipment used. A basic shed can cost around $2000–$5000, and adding equipment can cost an additional $1000–$5000.
Building a custom-built shed gym can cost upwards of $10,000. It’s essential to have a budget in mind and consider the cost of equipment, flooring, and electrical work before starting a project.
Transform Your Shed Into a Workout-Friendly Space
Turning a shed into a functional, cost-effective home gym shed requires careful planning and organization.
A great way to achieve this is to choose a high-quality compact home gym machine as the central piece of equipment.
Our team has evaluated and tested the most popular options on the market to provide a list of the most reliable and effective machines for a home gym setup.
They offer various exercise options while saving space, so make sure to check them out.
References:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29127930/
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