Going to the gym is a regular part of many peoples’ lives, and it brings with it all kinds of benefits. It gets you fit and healthy, giving you a comprehensive workout and keeps you focused on your fitness goals.
There are now over 7200 gyms in the UK, with membership standing at a staggering 10.4 million. The cost of gym membership varies greatly, with some households spending hundreds every month on all-inclusive gym packages.
Sometimes though motivation levels can slump. It can be hard to find the energy to visit the gym and countless gym memberships go unused after the initial enthusiasm wanes.
Covid-19 Lockdown
How do you stay motivated when it comes to fitness and what happens when your regular gym is forced to close, as has happened during the Covid-19 pandemic?
The Covid-19 pandemic lockdown has forced gyms to shut doors. The environment in the average gym is regarded as high-risk for the spread of viruses. Even before Covid-19 emerged, they were sometimes implicated in clusters of other diseases. Even with the highest hygiene standards, environments where people share equipment, work out and mingle are ideal breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria.
According to the UK government, gyms are set to open on July 4, 2020. Strict social distancing and hygiene policies will reduce the number of people who can use them at any one time. Some gyms may find it difficult to survive without the same numbers of people using the facilities. Gym users themselves, particularly older ones, may be reluctant to return.
Could a garden gym be the answer? At Garden Room Sanctuary, we’re finding that more and more of our customers are using our garden rooms as their very own private, garden gym.
Can you get all the health and fitness benefits of a gym at home?
Home fitness equipment has been around for some time. Exercise bikes, sit-up benches and treadmills for home use are all popular. In the past the quality of home fitness equipment couldn’t compete with what you found in a decent professional gym. The cost and size of gym standard equipment made it impractical for most homes.
That’s changed over the past few years, with the quality and specifications of professional gym equipment now available in home alternatives.
That doesn’t change the space issue, however. Few families have enough space in their homes to devote a room to a home gym. Some people have got around this by using a garage, but these are not ideal and can be uncomfortable spaces to spend any length of time.
Garden gyms are a bespoke solution
If you have the space in your garden, our tailor-made garden gyms might just be the answer. Garden gyms bring with them real benefits compared to a gym membership. With your own private garden gym, you also benefit from not having to share germs, sweat and equipment with anyone else.
Garden gyms are safer
It goes without saying, that in these challenging times that we all need to do all we can to keep ourselves safe. Professional gyms will be one of the last facilities to re-open after lockdown due to the higher risks associated with their use. Shared equipment, changing facilities, and an environment where people are working out is a perfect breeding ground for all kinds of viruses, not just Covid-19. With your own garden gym, you are in control of hygiene and use, meaning you’re much less likely to be sharing space or equipment with someone who has an infection.
No need to travel
Most of us need to travel to get to our gyms. That means either climbing into the car, hopping on our bikes, or using public transport. It takes time and effort to get to the gym, and that’s before we’ve even started exercising. With a garden gym, it’s just a quick jog down the garden path.
More privacy
Let’s be honest, visiting gyms can be stressful. Few of us are in peak physical condition and can feel self-conscious working out with other people watching. A garden gym removes all of those privacy issues, allowing you to work out at your own pace without fear of being judged.
Longer workouts
Your gym time isn’t limited, allowing you to work out more when you have more time and energy, and pare back if you’re feeling tired without feeling guilty about wasting gym subscriptions.
No monthly membership
Brits waste a staggering £558 million on unused gym memberships every year. Even those who keep up their gym habit after the initial enthusiasm rarely visit enough to get their money’s worth. A garden gym frees you from having to pay monthly subscription fees and allows you step up or ease off your fitness routine as time and energy allows.
Choose the equipment you enjoy
In a commercial gym you’re restricted to using whatever equipment they have available. In your own garden gym. you can create a bespoke selection of equipment that you enjoy using, or find beneficial.
Set your own temperature
We all feel comfortable in different temperatures. This particularly applies when we’re exercising. The temperature in gyms can often be too warm for some people, making a work-out an uncomfortable experience. In your own insulated garden gym, you get to set the temperature. You can be protected from the elements in the winter, and in the summer, you can open the doors and enjoy being close to nature.
Get fit, and stay fit with a garden gym
A garden gym allows you and your family to integrate keeping fit into a busy lifestyle. You can save on gym subscriptions, work-out whenever you want to, and stay motivated.
Garden rooms are more affordable than you might imagine, meaning that it’s possible for a garden gym to pay for itself by saving up on family gym subscriptions within a few years.
In these uncertain times, a garden gym puts you back in control of your fitness.