It’s no secret that exercise is key for our happiness and wellbeing. Many of us are keen to improve our physical and mental health. Finding time to travel to a gym can be difficult, and they’re often noisier and busier than we’d like, which can be off-putting. In this post we’ll discuss the benefits of having your very own gym, in a purpose-built garden room, located within your own private garden. What could be better?
Being able to exercise in the privacy of your own home can help make health and fitness goals more achievable. You can work out whenever you want, in your own private sanctuary, surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings. And, when your private gym is not being used for working out, it can also serve a range of other functions such as a home office or guest accommodation.
A garden room makes a fantastic space for all kinds of exercise, from yoga and Pilates to cardio like rowing, running and cycling. Large windows and bi-fold doors let the outside in, creating a unique space which is as restful as it is invigorating. Our garden rooms are designed and built to the highest specifications and tailored to our customers’ individual needs.
One of our recent projects was a customised building from our Sanctuary Range, which served as both a gym and storage area. Fully insulated, internally boarded and plastered, it remains cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This multi-purpose room can therefore be used all year round whether as a garden gym, home office, music or art studio.
What Is a Garden Room Gym?
Our garden rooms are hand-crafted. Clad in Western Red cedar, these timber-framed buildings are designed and built to your personal requirements. We fully insulate, internally board, plaster and paint all of our garden rooms, and we include a complete electric package to make them an ideal solution–just like a newly built extension to your home.
A Crusoe Garden Room building keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, so you can use it all year round. We fit each of our garden rooms with multipoint locking aluminium or UPVC doors and windows in a range of styles and colours, and we finish every building with a one-piece rubber roof and Western Red cedar cladding on all sides, giving your garden room a complete quality finish.
Our luxurious garden rooms serve a range of purposes and make ideal home gyms. Our largest garden room, the Crusoe Deluxe is 8m x 4m, providing plenty of space for your gym equipment. Whether you’re lifting weights, enjoying Pilates or yoga, or using fitness machines of various kinds, we’ve a garden room to meet your requirements.
What’s more, because our garden rooms are fully insulated and double-glazed, they provide a pleasant environment all year round. Complete with plenty of electrical sockets for AV equipment alongside your fitness machines, you’ll love working out in your very own private space, only a few metres from your own home.
Key Benefits of a Garden Room Home Gym
There are so many benefits to building your own garden room home gym. Let’s jump in!
1. Convenience & Accessibility
If you’re tired of driving to and from the gym, a garden room gym is the ultimate convenience. It will make sticking to your fitness routine so much easier. There are no excuses when the gym is just outside your door!
With a gym in your own back garden you can also exercise whenever you feel like it, whether early in the morning or late at night. Everyone knows that sticking to some kind of routine is important when it comes to building strength and endurance. Having your own garden room gym makes this even easier – and you’re always guaranteed a parking space!
2. Privacy & Comfort
One of the things people often dislike about exercising in public gyms is the lack of privacy. Gyms can also be very noisy and busy. This atmosphere can be off-putting and feel uncomfortable. There can also be queues for machines, and the added hassle of dealing with lockers, showering afterwards and so on. A garden room gym offers a much more private and enjoyable experience.
Crusoe Garden Rooms can help you create a place where you can exercise in peace. We can help you choose the ideal type of flooring and lighting, along with features for temperature control. This can help you feel more motivated and help you achieve your fitness goals.
3. Multi-Functional Space
At Crusoe Garden Rooms we work with our clients to deliver thoughtful, well-designed and expertly constructed buildings. We can tailor any of our garden rooms to your specifications, and this opens a world of possibilities. Rather than creating a room which serves just one purpose, why not consider a multi-functional space which enhances several areas of your life?
For example, your garden room could provide space for your gym and fitness equipment as well as your home office. Or why not pair your home gym with overflow living space for the children? Kit out your garden room with a TV and a few bean bags and you’ve got a space the whole family can enjoy – whether they enjoy exercising or not!
4. Long-Term Cost Savings
Although you will have to pay for the garden room initially, the long-term cost will compensate you in return. Gym fees are notoriously expensive, and the cost of commuting adds up over time. With your own garden room gym, you can wave goodbye to subscriptions and use your own personal space as frequently as you like.
A beautiful garden room can also add to the value of your property, whilst increasing the saleability of your home. People love having a dedicated fitness space and flexible living and working spaces are more sought-after than ever.
Garden Gym Case Study
This project involved the design and construction of a fully customised garden room, created to deliver a versatile, high-specification space suitable for year-round use.
Project Overview
Our client required a spacious, contemporary garden room that could accommodate multiple uses while maintaining a sleek, modern aesthetic. The final structure measures 8 metres wide by 4 metres deep, with an impressive 500mm roof canopy overhang and a front elevation height of 2.8 metres, creating a light and open feel.
Design & External Finish
Like all our garden rooms, the exterior was finished with premium Western Red cedar cladding, giving the building a natural, high-end appearance that blends seamlessly into the garden environment.
A standout feature of the design is the 3.4m wide, four-pane black UPVC sliding patio door system. The two central panels slide open to create a 1.4m wide access point, while the outer panels remain fixed, allowing for expansive views and natural light.
Additional glazing was incorporated to maximise brightness throughout the space:
- Two glazed panels positioned on either side of the main sliding doors
- One full-height side window (1.9m x 600mm) with a top-opening function
- A fully glazed external side door with obscure glass for added privacy
All windows and doors were finished in black foil-wrapped UPVC, fitted with multi-locking systems and high-performance Pilkington argon-filled double glazing for enhanced security and thermal efficiency.
Project Overview
Our client required a spacious, contemporary garden room that could accommodate multiple uses while maintaining a sleek, modern aesthetic. The final structure measures 8 metres wide by 4 metres deep, with an impressive 500mm roof canopy overhang and a front elevation height of 2.8 metres, creating a light and open feel.
Internal Layout & Finish
Inside, the garden room was designed to offer both flexibility and comfort. A stud partition wall was installed, allowing the internal layout to be adapted to the client’s needs during construction.
The building was fully insulated, boarded and plastered inside. This ensures the space remains warm in winter and cool in summer, making it suitable for year-round use.
A high-quality laminate flooring was installed throughout, complemented by white painted walls and contemporary joinery.
Project Overview
Our client required a spacious, contemporary garden room that could accommodate multiple uses while maintaining a sleek, modern aesthetic. The final structure measures 8 metres wide by 4 metres deep, with an impressive 500mm roof canopy overhang and a front elevation height of 2.8 metres, creating a light and open feel.
Electrical & Heating Specification
The garden room was equipped with a comprehensive electrical setup to support a variety of uses:
10 internal LED downlights for bright, even illumination
6 brushed chrome double sockets
Dedicated consumer unit
External lighting including:
5 canopy downlights
2 up/down lights either side of the main doors
For comfort and safety, the space also includes:
Two electric radiators for efficient heating
A smoke detector
Connection to the main property via an armoured cable supply
Roofing & Finishing Details
The structure was completed with a durable one-piece EPDM rubber roof, providing long-lasting weather protection and low maintenance.
To complement the modern aesthetic, black fascias and guttering were installed, ensuring a clean and cohesive finish.
Outcome
The result is a stylish, fully functional garden room that offers a bright, insulated, and adaptable environment. Whether used as a home office, studio, or leisure space, this bespoke build delivers both practicality and premium design, adding lasting value to the property.
What did our client think of the project?
‘Trevor and his team were professional from start to finish and a pleasure to deal with, nothing was too much trouble. We are delighted with the building.’
Essential Features of a Garden Room Gym
When planning your own garden room gym you will want to consider the following important features. Remember, our team are on hand to talk through any aspect of your project and can offer plenty of advice from our many years of experience.
Space & Layout Requirements
Firstly, it must have enough space for your equipment and the types of exercise you want to engage in. Our smaller garden rooms are enough for weightlifting and yoga mats. However, if you use equipment like treadmills or rowing machines, you’ll need more space.
It’s essential to consider the height of the room too, especially for exercises that involve jumping or lifting weights overhead. Make sure you take appropriate measurements of your existing equipment, or the machines you intend to buy, and factor these into your designs.
Best Flooring for a Garden Gym
Whilst we offer laminate flooring as standard, rubber flooring is a popular choice for gyms since it’s slip-resistant, shock-absorbent, and can protect the ground from heavy equipment like dumbbells. It also helps to reduce levels of noise. This can also be helpful if your garden room is close to neighbours or other parts of your home.
Insulation & Temperature Control
All our garden rooms come fully insulated and double-glazed. This makes them suitable for year-round use. Electric panel heaters are installed as standard to provide a convenient and cost-effective heating system. We can make provision for air conditioning units if desired.
Ventilation & Airflow
Proper ventilation is essential to prevent your space from becoming stuffy during workouts. Our garden rooms feature large sliding doors which can be easily opened to allow fresh air to flow throughout the space, and opening windows are fitted to suit your ventilation requirements.
Lighting: Natural & Artificial
Natural light can make your space feel more inviting and energising. This is why our garden rooms feature large sliding doors and plenty of large windows to ensure they feel light, bright and open.
We also install bright, energy-efficient LED lighting, so your home gym is usable at any time of the day or night. The right lighting can set the mood for different workout styles, from high-energy cardio to tranquil yoga sessions. External lighting is installed to illuminate the outside of your home gym. We offer options to allow your remote management of the lighting systems. Lighting the doors, footpaths and any steps necessary for access will ensure it remains a safe environment.
Storage Solutions
To keep the gym safe, it needs to be clutter-free. You’ll want to ensure there is ample storage for equipment.
Shelving, hooks, and cabinets can help store weights, resistance bands, yoga mats, and other accessories in an organised way. This not only makes the gym more practical but also helps keep the space tidy. All of which make us feel more motivated.
We are able to reinforce the wall structures at critical points for your equipment installation and we can also add stud walls to provide a storage area.
Power, Lighting & Technology Setup
If you plan to include cardio machines, such as treadmills or cross-trainers, you will need access to power. This is something our team installs as part of the electrical package for your project.
For instance, our Crusoe Sanctuary includes 4 double sockets, 10 chrome or white sunken downlights, 4 external downlights, and a dedicated consumer unit along with certified connection.
If you want to add a sound system, fans or a television to your space we can plan where outlets should be in strategic locations to avoid trailing cables.
It’s a good idea to spend some time considering exactly what equipment you’ll want to use and where it will be situated within your garden gym. Making sure you request enough sockets at the design stage can ensure you have the best experience when using your garden gym.
View Our Range & Prices
How Much Does a Garden Gym Cost?
Our smallest garden room, the Crusoe Compact, is our most affordable option, starting at £18,750 including VAT, delivery and installation. It measures 3m wide, by 2.4m deep and includes a 50cm front overhang with downlighting.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Crusoe Deluxe is our largest garden room. It measures 8m x 4m and prices start at £42,000 including VAT, delivery and installation.
We have a number of models between these sizes, so depending on budget and requirements there’s plenty to choose from. We are also able to offer a reduced price for customers choosing our Crusoe Fusion option, which makes for a more cost-effective solution.
Our team are happy to discuss any customisation that may be required, and quote for this upon request.
Is a Garden Room Gym Worth It?
Investing in a Crusoe Garden Room gym is an investment in your health and wellbeing. No more sweaty changing rooms and noisy, busy environments. Step out of your back door, walk a few metres across your garden and enter your very own private garden gym. Equipped with whatever equipment you need, you’ve a space to call your own and the opportunity to use it whenever you like, knowing it’s all yours.
A multi-functional space can benefit others too. Perhaps your garden room gym can double as a home office, additional living space for older children to enjoy, or provide additional space for guests.
And alongside the health and fitness benefits, you may find that investing in a high-quality Crusoe Garden Room also adds value to your home. Your garden room could provide a tangible return on investment should you decide to relocate and certainly increases the saleability of your property.
Why Choose Crusoe Garden Rooms for Your Garden Gym?
Crusoe Garden Rooms started with the design and build of our very own garden room, which we later extended and then added a log store to.
We are a family business based in Nottingham, run by husband and wife team Trevor and Emma. Trevor has over 40 years of experience in building projects, from restoring chapels and windmills to creating bespoke furniture and modern buildings. He and his team have built more than 350 garden rooms across the UK, from Brighton to Aberdeen.
Every project, whether standard or bespoke, is carefully designed and planned. We work closely with our customers, giving them input into the design and specifications of their garden room.
All our buildings are bespoke and built to a high standard using quality materials. We use Western Red cedar for its natural beauty, durability, and resistance to shrinkage. Our cedar and rubber membrane roofing both have a lifespan of over 50 years.
We have built a wide range of spaces including home offices, music and TV studios, treatment rooms, home cinemas, games rooms, art studios, business premises, playrooms, home gyms, teenage rooms, summer houses, pool rooms, swim spa rooms, and meditation spaces.
As a small family-run company, we keep our overheads low, allowing us to offer excellent quality at competitive prices. When you contact us, you will speak directly to Trevor or Emma. From the first site visit to completion, Trevor is personally involved to ensure your project runs smoothly and on schedule.
We are members of the Guild of Master Craftsmen and hold public liability insurance for your peace of mind. Our skilled team takes care to respect you, your property, and that of your neighbours. We are always happy to offer advice and accommodate changes during the build.
Speak to Emma or Trevor Today
There are so many benefits to creating a beautiful, private and luxurious home garden gym. We are ready to take your call and begin discussing your project. If you’d like more information about any of our garden rooms, want to understand the design and build process or have a particular customisation in mind, complete this form and we’ll be in touch to begin the conversation.
