5-Step guide to building a DIY outdoor home gym

Whether you're a regular gym junkie or have only just discovered you have abdominal muscles, keeping your fitness routine fresh and fun is key to staying on track. But with expensive fees and chock-full classes, traditional gyms aren’t always an option for everyone. Our solution? A DIY outdoor home gym!

Packed with all your favourite equipment and nestled right in your backyard, a home gym is the perfect way to freshen up your routine and hit your fitness goals. As far as DIY projects go, this one is super easy. Plus, you’ll get a workout at the same time! So strap on your trainers, grab some tools, and join us as we breakdown how to create a one-of-a-kind outdoor home gym with DIY equipment to match!

Why build a DIY outdoor home gym? 

Building an outdoor gym is the perfect way to kickstart your training. It gives you the freedom to workout when, where and how you want to. This means you’ll never again miss a training session, waste time waiting for equipment or feel awkward doing your squat face in public. What’s more, it’s incredibly affordable and can be done in a few hours with the right tools. 

Here are a few other benefits of building an outdoor gym at home: 

1. Convenience: With a home gym, you won’t need to commute to a gym again or waste time waiting for equipment. It gives you the freedom to workout at your own pace in your own space with complete privacy.
2. Cost effective: Joining a gym can be expensive, especially if you factor in monthly membership fees and fuel costs. A home gym cuts all these unnecessary costs and encourages you to invest in good equipment that you own and can use whenever you want!
3. Customisation: Building a home gym means that you can tailor it to your specific style and needs. From the equipment and layout to the decor and workout playlists, you can choose what works best for you and change it up as your fitness goals evolve.
4. Flexibility: A home gym gives you the flexibility to work out whenever and however you like. You can switch up your routine, try new exercises, and exercise for as long or as short a time as you want without being restricted by gym hours or class schedules.

How to build a DIY home gym in 5 steps 

We’ve arrived at the fun part: building your own gym from scratch! Although the steps are fairly straightforward, building a mini gym can be a bit overwhelming if you try to attempt too much at once. We suggest that you start out simple and build on your space as you go to create a functional and inspiring workout area you’ll want to exercise in. 

Step 1: Choose a location

The first and most important step in creating your DIY outdoor home gym is choosing the right location. You'll want a spot that's level, well-drained, and free from obstacles. Consider the amount of space you need, the direction of the sun, and the proximity to a water source and a power outlet. 

Step 2: Design a layout

Before you can start organising your equipment, you need to decide where everything will live. Draw out a detailed floor plan of your ideal gym and make a list of the equipment you plan on using. Decide where your main workout space will be and organise everything around it based on when and how often you use each piece of equipment. 

It’s important to make sure that you have enough room to move around freely and perform your workouts without injuring yourself. If you don’t have a large floor space, utilise the wall space with horizontal and vertical shelving and storage racks. 

Step 3: Build a base

To ensure your DIY outdoor home gym will be safe to use throughout the year, you need a base that is solid, sturdy and durable. This is especially important if you plan on lifting heavy weights and equipment as it could crack your floor outside or damage your furniture. 

Synthetic grass provides the ideal surface for your base, but if you can’t afford to install this, any solid foundation will do. You can roll out an exercise mat for simple exercises, or invest in rubber gym tiles to create a solid base for weight training. 

Step 4: Weather-proof your space

You should be able to use your outdoor gym come rain or shine! If your space is not weather-proof, consider adding a shaded structure or canopy to protect you from the sun, wind and rain. 

Step 5: Add equipment & finishing touches 

Once your space is ready, it's time to add your workout equipment! Keep your equipment off the ground by building shelves or racks to store them. You can also add some comfortable seating, such as a chaise lounge or a picnic bench, so you can rest and recover between sets.

DIY home gym equipment ideas 

From different size dumbbells to bosu balls and bars, there’s a tonne of equipment you’ll need in order to create a functional home gym. But buying all these essentials from scratch can come at a hefty price. So, why not flex your creative muscle and make your own? Below, we’ve listed popular gym equipment and how you can make them at home using various household items lying about! 

1. Dumbbells: Stop throwing away your old water bottles and use them as makeshift weights instead! Simply fill your empty bottles with sand or water and use them as dumbbells during your workouts.
2. Kettlebells: You can use sandbags or heavy objects like a gallon of water or a bag of rice as an alternative to a kettlebell.
3. Resistance Bands: If you don’t have a resistance band, an old pair of nylon tights or leggings will do the trick!
4. Yoga mat: Use a large beach towel to practise basic yoga poses and stretches without lying on the hard floor.
5. Pull-up bar or Power Tower: You can install a pull-up bar in a doorway or use resistance bands to perform pull-ups instead.
6. Medicine ball: You can use a sandbag or a heavy object like a bag of rice or a gallon of water.
7. Foam roller: You can use a rolled-up towel or a PVC pipe instead of a foam roller.
8. Rowing machine: You can use a resistance band (or alternatives) to mimic the motion of rowing.
9. Dumbbell racks or weight trees: Consider using a corner of the room or a closet to store your weights.
10. Bosu ball: A heavy pillow can make a great substitute for a bosu ball. 

We hope this DIY outdoor home gym guide motivates you to stay on track and build a routine that helps you smash your fitness goals! If you need extra space to create your dream outdoor gym, self storage is a convenient and cost effective way to free up space at home. 

At Storage King, we offer a variety of different size units, flexible lease agreements and convenient access, giving you the freedom to store your belongings for as long as you need. Contact us at 0800 0852 954 to find out more or get a quick and easy quote online.