The Commute-Free Workout: Garden Gyms.

Where is the best place to exercise?

In the living room, with the dog under your feet and the usual home distractions?

At a busy gym, waiting for equipment? Or outside, relying on the British weather to cooperate?

More and more homeowners are choosing a garden gym. No travelling, no waiting and no monthly membership fees. And because it’s separate from the house it is away from the distractions so you can focus on your workout.

Do you need planning permission for a garden gym?

In most cases, no.

Garden gyms are usually built under Permitted Development rules, which means you won’t need planning permission as long as:

• The building isn’t used for sleeping

• It takes up less than 50% of your garden space

• The height stays within permitted limits

• You aren’t in a conservation area, or your house is a listed building

Height guidelines:

• Within 2 metres of a boundary: maximum 2.5m external height

• More than 2 metres from a boundary: up to 3m (flat roof) or 4m (apex roof)

Having a higher ceiling can make a big difference, allowing for more comfortable movement especially for taller users or larger equipment.

What size garden gym do I need?

This depends on how you plan to use the space. As a guide:

• 4m x 3m works well for a compact setup with a couple of machines or weights

• 5m x 4m gives you more flexibility and room to zone your workout

• Larger spaces allow for a full mix of cardio, strength training and floor exercises

Many customers choose to go bigger to create a more versatile, multi-use space.

What can you include in a garden gym?

Every Cosy Garden Room is bespoke, so you can tailor the room however you like. Popular features include:

• Higher ceilings for full range of movement

• Air conditioning and heating

• Acoustic panelling for sound control

• Mirrored and media walls

• Hardwired Wi-Fi and smart tech

• Lighting, inside and out

You can also incorporate:

• Decking or covered outdoor areas for ice baths or hot tubs

• Saunas

• Bi-fold doors to open up the space

What actually matters when building a garden gym?

A solid base

We always recommend a concrete base. Gym equipment is heavy, and workouts create constant movement, a solid foundation is key. Watch this video showing a garden room being constructed.

Enough height

Standard internal height is 2.2m which may not suit every workout. If you need more space for lifting or equipment, increasing the height can make a big difference.

Ventilation and temperature control

Opening windows or air conditioning will help keep the space comfortable all year round.

Sound control

If you enjoy training with music, acoustic panelling can help manage noise and it looks great too.

How much does a garden gym cost?

Costs vary depending on size and specification. We’ve built garden gyms from around £15,000 including a concrete base. Flexible finance options are also available.

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Contact Mark today to discuss your project:

📞0115 772 2715

✉️ mark@cosygardenrooms.co.uk