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More people are setting up home gyms these days. It’s cheaper, more convenient, and lets you work out in peace. For those with limited space inside the house, take advantage of their gardens. If the space is roomy, garden gyms make a fantastic investment. Otherwise, they make the most of what they’ve got outside—this is where our outdoor gym ideas and tips come into play.
Outdoor Gym Explained
An outdoor gym is pretty much what it sounds like—a fitness area in the open air. This can be in public spaces like parks or the comfort of home gardens. It’s fitted with various exercise equipment and machines, just like an indoor gym.
The fresh air and sunshine are a bonus and may be what makes exercising outside even better! Start with a simple setup using basic fitness gear, and consider the following ideas:
1. Find a fitting spot in your garden
Setting up an outdoor gym means working with the ground, such as soil and/or lawn. Keep in mind that these surfaces won’t be as solid as indoor flooring. So, you’ll want to look for an area that’s stable and level to support equipment, especially the heavy and bulky ones. Gravel probably isn’t suitable for standing on while working out.
When it comes to privacy, a tall fence near your chosen location does the job. The same goes for greenery, like bushes and hedging, or trellises with climbers.
Note: If all factors aren’t in place, you can always take the DIY route to make your garden fit for an outdoor gym. Flatten the ground, add shade, and create privacy, whatever works for you.
2. Improve flooring for safety and comfort
Rubber mats are your best bet, as they stand up to all kinds of weather, are affordable, and easy to install. Their built-in padding also provides cushioning and shock absorption.
Apparently, a levelled surface alone might be enough, especially when lifting weights. Heavy equipment could damage the ground, like concrete slabs, if it slips. Standing on a bare surface can also be uncomfortable on the joints. That’s where rubber mats come in; roll them out across your outdoor gym area to make it work!
Artificial turf rolls are also a good option for high-impact workouts. They’re low-maintenance and won’t wither, unlike a real lawn. The shock-absorption adds to the perks, which help people who train perform at their best.
Tip: If you’re working out on a decked patio, interlocking foam tiles provide a non-slip surface. Your little ones can even join you for a morning yoga session if they don’t have their own mats.
3. Set up your equipment accordingly
Once everything is set in your outdoor gym space, it’s time to arrange your fitness equipment. To give you some ideas, it could look something like this:
Tucked in the corner
Cover one corner of your garden with rubber mats, artificial turf, or foam tiles. Set up a pull-up bar or small outdoor bench against a fence or wall if space allows. If not, opt for a free-standing pull-up station and place it towards the edge. This should give you enough room to move. But be sure it’s not too close to fences or walls that could limit your range of motion!
You can keep your dumbbells, kettlebells, or resistance bands in a storage box. Take them out only when you need them and store them away again afterwards to avoid clutter.
Open space for cardio and bodyweight
Bodyweight exercises like push-ups, burpees, or yoga need an open space for movement. If this is the layout you’ve gone for, you could place a pull-up bar somewhere on the mat, for instance. A step box is a great addition too, ideal for step-ups, box jumps, and other elevated exercises.
For storage, you can’t go wrong with storage boxes. If you have a storage bench, that could work too, especially if your outdoor gym space is near the patio.
Split areas for different zones
This is perfect if you have a huge garden space for your fitness activities. The idea is to create zones for different activities. You could arrange it like this: one area for cardio, another for strength training, and a section for yoga.
Feel free to sort the equipment according to the mat placement or whatever fits your setup.
Add a gym shed
Outdoor workouts aren’t possible in all weathers, and that’s where a gym shed comes in. With many shed owners already using them to store exercise equipment, it can be a relatively simple task to turn that space into a full-fledged workout zone.
Leaving the doors open while you work out in a garden gym building is a great way to keep the fresh air flowing
If you’re serious about exploring this option, our garden gyms guide can help you figure out what type of building is right for you.
Basic Outdoor Gym Equipment You Might Need
(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
When choosing equipment, go for stuff built to handle the harsh outdoor elements. Rust-proof metal is a good choice for any bars or frames. For the flooring, UV-resistant rubber mats or foam tiles will do the job well. That way, everything lasts longer, and you won’t have to worry about it wearing down too quickly.
You’ll also want to make a list of only the equipment you’ll only use, so you don’t end up cramming everything in. If you’re just getting started, here are the basics (which also work for small spaces):
For strength training
Are you looking to build strength? Dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands are pretty much essentials.
Dumbbells are great because you can use them for loads of different exercises. Kettlebells are fantastic for adding functional strength, as they engage your whole body. Resistance bands are brilliant, as they can be adjusted to suit your fitness level.
For cardio training
(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
You don’t need anything too big or fancy setup. A simple stationary bike or treamill can do the job just fine. They’re great for getting your heart rate up and burning some calories. In fact, you might already have one gathering dust in your garden shed or log cabin—time to dig it out and put it to good use!
Multi-functional rack
A multi-functional rack lets you do different exercises with one piece of gear. This includes a pull-up bar, bench press, and squat rack. Even better, it save space while still getting in a good workout. Just make sure you go for one that’s adjustable, so you can mix things up when you need to.
A bench
This one is a must-have if you want to change things up in your strengths routine. It’s great for bench presses, step-ups, and even seated exercises. Having a bench also gives you a lot more options for a fully-body workout, and it’s pretty versatile!
These are just the basic equipment, but feel free to add more to diversify. If you can squeeze in a storage box, you can also keep skipping ropes inside. And if the space is too limited, you can stick to one bench, for instance, with dumbbells. For an outdoor yoga, you’ll be fine with your trusty yoga mat!
Best Outdoor Gym Exercises
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Always start and finish your workout routine with a good warm-up and some stretching. Here are some good dynamic stretches to try:
- Leg swings: Stand next to something for support and swing one leg forward and back. Do 10-15 swings on each leg.
- Arm circles: Stretch your arms out to the sides and start making small circles. Gradually make the circles bigger. Do 2 sets of 10 in each direction.
- High knees: Jog on the spot and bring your knees up as high as you can. Keep it going for 30 seconds to a minute.
- Torso twists: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Then, twist your torso from side to side while keeping your hips still. Do 2 sets of 15 twists each side.
- Ankle rolls: Lift one foot and rotate your ankle clockwise, then counterclockwise. Do 10 rolls in each direction, then switch to the other foot.
These strength exercises hit different muscle groups:
- Bodyweight squats: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Squat down like you’re sitting back into a chair, then stand up again. Aim for 3 sets of 15.
- Push-ups: Get into a plank position, lower yourself by bending your elbows, then push back up. Start with 3 sets of 10.
- Dumbbell rows: Bend at the hips, hold the dumbbells, and pull them towards your hips. Do 3 sets of 12 reps per arm.
- Lunges: Work your legs by stepping forward with one foot. Low your hips until both knees are bent at 90 degrees. Aim for 3 sets of 12 reps per leg.
- Plank: Hold the plank position for 30-60 seconds, keeping your body straight from head to heels.
Cardio exercises that are good for your heart, improve endurance, and burn calories:
- Jogging: Start with a decent pace and keep a steady rhythm. Focus on good posture and breathing. Start with 10 minutes and build it up over time.
- Jumping rope: Make sure the rope’s the right length, then stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Swing the rope over your head and jump with each turn. Aim for 10 minutes, gradually picking up the pace.
- HIIT: Do short bursts of intense exercises like jumping jacks or sprints, then take breaks. You could do 30 seconds of hard work, followed by 30 seconds of rest. Adjust it as you go.
Read our guide to ‘The Best Exercises for Your Garden Gym’ for more!
