Every year, people enter the new year with the best of intentions for their health and fitness, but these intentions often do not last into February.

According to a survey by Forbes Health, eight per cent of New Year’s resolutions last just a month, with over half of them (52 per cent) having already been abandoned before the first flush of spring.

There are a lot of reasons for this, from the stresses of everyday life leading to a return to old routines and old habits to sudden changes in circumstance, but a big and rather mundane problem is not having the right space or equipment available when you want it.

Many people sign up for a local gym, but that is inherently a trip you need to take away from home, whilst other people have some basic equipment or a training space that’s not often adequate enough to give you the motivation you need.

The obvious solution to this is to set up a home gym, but the problem for many homeowners is that they often take up space in an existing room or come at the expense of a dining room, study or guest bedroom. This often limits the equipment you can add to your home gym.

However, if you are investing in your fitness, why not use a bespoke garden annexe to create a gym designed for you, but separate enough to shield you from any distractions?

In many respects, it is the best of both worlds, so with that in mind, here is how to set up a gym in your garden annexe and why you should.

Why Should You Set Up A Gym In Your Garden Annexe?

Everyone has different needs and goals when it comes to their gym, and some of the elements that make a visit to a commercial gym appealing and empowering for some people can be absolute anathema for others.

If you have regularly been to the gym, you know what you like and do not like, and you can tailor your garden annexe gym to match your needs. Here are some of the most common issues that a garden annexe gym fixes:

  • No pressure from other gym goers to try and work you beyond your limits.
  • Open and accessible at any time of the day or night.
  • Private and away from other gym goers and your home life.
  • The beautiful scenery of your garden is available.
  • Your equipment is always accessible and set up exactly as you want.
  • Train with whoever you want, including friends, family and neighbours.
  • Customise it however you like with motivational quotes, a colour scheme that fits you and even your own music.

How Do You Set Up A Gym In Your Garden Annexe?

If you do not already have an annexe in your garden, get in touch with us today, and we can help design the garden gym of your dreams, complete with all of the fundamental amenities you need to make choosing and moving equipment into it easy.

With that in mind, here are some top tips to set it up and make the most out of your garden annexe space.

Make Sure The Annexe Can Take Your Equipment

Gym equipment can be heavy, so it is important to ensure that the floor is reinforced and you know how much weight it can take before it gets damaged.

If you are building an annexe for this exact purpose, this will be part of the planning stage, but if you have an existing shed or conservatory, it is an important point to bear in mind.

Also, make sure that there are not too many steps that will make moving heavy equipment into and out of your annexe harder than it needs to be.

Finally, measure the space and make sure any equipment you buy can comfortably fit in it.

Start Small And Versatile

The best gyms build themselves up around your exercise habits. If there are particular pieces of equipment you enjoy using, such as elliptical machines, treadmills or rowing machines, focus on buying those rather than equipment you are less comfortable with.

Other than that, a set of adjustable dumbbells and an exercise mat are all you truly need to get started, and you can focus on expanding from there.

Make It Social

Unlike a home gym, which often can only fit one person in it, a garden annexe is big enough for a handful of people training at once, so invite friends over to exercise to ensure you do not miss the social aspect of going to the gym.