7 Expert Tips for Setting Up a Gym Shed

Do you dream of having your own home gym? If you create one in an insulated garden room, log cabin or large wooden shed, you won’t need to lose a room or build an extension to do it. Setting up your home gym is simpler than you might think, and these tips from people that have already done it clearly show that. No more wasted travelling time, no more queues for equipment, and no more expensive annual memberships!

Here are some tips to help you create your dream workout space in your own garden:

1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT BUILDING

shed bench press — Make sure your floor can handle heavy equipment
Image: *@that1930srenovation*

The garden shed you use to store your lawnmower won’t be strong enough to cope with heavy gym equipment. Log cabins or Insulated Garden Rooms are much more suitable for home gyms – they’re designed to be more robust than traditional sheds and summerhouses.

Remember, if you’re installing heavy gym equipment, you’ll need a solid concrete foundation. Otherwise, paving slabs may suffice.

A 5m x 4m space is ideal for most people, giving you plenty of room to stretch out your arms and to lie flat on the floor for sit-ups and stretches. A 3m x 3m corner cabin will accommodate an exercise bike and some weights. But you’ll need a larger space for a Swiss ball, treadmill and rowing machine, for instance. And if you need taller equipment, an apex roof might be better than a flatter pent style.

Over at @that1930srenovation, Jo and Ryan bought a 5x3m Insulated Garden Room to house their gym. Large enough to have a weight bench and running machine as well as plenty of space for free weights, see their Instagram highlight for the installation and fitting out process.

2. PROTECT THE FLOOR

IMAGE ALT TAG HERE — Make sure your floor is sturdy
Image: *Shutterstock*

Protect your shed floor from being dented by free weights with some heavy-duty rubber floor tiles. Lay them throughout to help with insulation. They’re easy to clean and will instantly give your home gym a professional feel.

Writing for Garden Patch, Kirsteen Mackay recommends starting with an all-purpose, versatile floor, and then adding an exercise-friendly surface over the top. Her advice is to “cover a laminate floor with interlocking rubber tiles for a free weights area, or cushioned vinyl for dance.” This makes it easier to change the room’s purpose down the line, should you wish.

3. INSULATE AND VENTILATE

gym shed in — Even on dark, cold nights, Hannah can still bring her clients in for a personal training session
Image: *@trainathannahs*

For year-round use you’ll need both insulation and ventilation. Either invest in a ready-insulated garden room, or do it yourself, insulating the walls with rockwool or a similar, sturdy insulator. Make sure windows are double-glazed. Not only will this keep you warm in winter, but you’ll be able to turn up the stereo without annoying the neighbours.

You’ll also need ventilation, especially in the summer months. Being able to open windows is a minimum – even better would be having air vents (one to let out warm, moist air, and one to draw in cool air from outside) and an extractor fan too.

Personal trainer Hannah works with clients in her garden gym and throws the doors wide open for training sessions in the warmer months. Take a look at her gym cabin, shared via @trainathannahs, if you’re looking for tips on creating a well-equipped space for all year round use.

4. GET CONNECTED

trench for garden gym mains cabling — Safety is essential when sorting out mains power
Image: *@ourhaxbyhome*

If you’re adding heaters, extractor fans, lighting, music and/or screens to your shed gym, you’ll need a power supply.

You can power your log cabin by running a cable from your home, but this MUST be done by a qualified electrician. Jo and Ryan from @that1930srenovation had professionals install electrics to their new gym, but tidied up the wiring by adding the ducting themselves.

Alternatively, you could go eco-friendly and power your gym by adding solar panels to the garden building (you’ll probably still want to connect to your mains supply as back-up).

If you plan to join online classes or watch fitness tutorials, think about your internet access in the early stages when you’re running other cables. Our guide to connecting a garden shed to the internet has lots of helpful tips.

5. FIND A STORAGE SOLUTION

organised gym shed — Luke Pennington's gym cabin is impeccably organisedImage: Image: *@luke.pennington1*

A small space can quickly become cluttered. Keep the floor area free for your workout. Use hooks, shelves and storage units for storing weights, towels and water bottles. Repurpose old bookcases, cabinets, or even old metal lockers for an authentic gym look.

Strength athlete @luke.pennington1 has added clever storage features to his gym cabin (see above). A mid-level shelf around the room provides an easily accessible place for all sorts of things, while wall-mounted racks keep barbells organised and out of the way.

6. KIT IT OUT

gym set up in waltons 4x3m garden room — Set up your equipment exactly how you like it
Image: *Waltons 4 x 3m DIY Insulated Garden Room*

Here’s the fun part. You get to choose exactly what goes in your gym. First, gym equipment. Pick your favourite machine (or machines plural, depending on how much space you have). Select the free weights you know you need to achieve your goals, and get a crash or yoga mat for floor exercises.

Mirrors are important. A wall clock with a second hand will be handy for timing sets. And a music player is pretty much an essential for most people. If there’s space, you could even get a small fridge for ice-cold energy drinks at your fingertips.

Jo from @fuelandflowyoga has a great setup in her purpose-built ‘retreat’ cabin where a few simple mats in front of the floor-to-ceiling bifold doors create the perfect place to practise her yoga or meditate away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

For more traditional weight and strength training, see how the guys at @theterracetransformation renovated an old garden workshop shed to create an amazing workout zone. Carefully chosen kit makes excellent use of the space and gives them lots of training options.

The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune on gym equipment – you can find many items second-hand on eBay, Facebook or Gumtree.

7. LOCK IT UP

Yellow weatherproof padlock against wooden shed — Make sure your padlock has a weatherproof cover
Image: *Waltons*

Once you’ve created your home gym, you’ll need to keep your equipment safe and secure. Invest in a garden building that comes with lock-and-key doors and enjoy your space for many years to come. Otherwise, buy a strong weatherproof padlock to protect your equipment.

If you need help choosing the best home for your new gym, our Insulated Garden Room Buying Guide will help you find a luxury option. And if you want something more affordable, our range of high quality log cabins is a good source of inspiration. Share your gym cabin pictures and tips with us on social using the #mywaltons hashtag.

Lead image: 3 x 3m Insulated Garden Room with Side Shed from Waltons

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