Fitness freedom – not space sacrifice – with a backyard gym 

Balancing fitness with life

Like many busy but health-conscious Australians, Paul and Julie wanted the freedom to train when and where they wanted.

Juggling work, friends and family time, household commitments, kids’ activities and a seemingly endless to-do list leaves many of us time poor. So, going to a commercial gym isn’t always a convenient – or even viable – option. There’s time spent in traffic, rigid class timetables, waiting for equipment during peak times – establishing a window to work out can be a workout in itself! And for some, the cost of ongoing yearly memberships can be prohibitive.

Finding time for fitness can be easier at home, so, more and more of us are turning to this as a solution. But for this to work long-term, you need the right stuff. And treadmills, rowing machines, exercise bikes, cross trainers, weights machines…they’re all big bits of kit!

Where do you put all that? The corner of your lounge room isn’t big enough, nor is it close to ideal! Do you sacrifice the dining room and set it up in there? Is that even big enough? The garage could work but it’s dark and dingy…and do you really want to train next to the Christmas decorations and the lawnmower? And then, where do you park the car?

Workouts their way

This was exactly Paul and Julie’s dilemma.

“We were looking for more space to put in a home gym and we didn’t want to use the garage or a room inside the house for it,” Paul tells us.

While they wanted the convenience of a home workout, they weren’t willing to make the space sacrifice that typically comes with it. And fair enough.

Instead, they turned to their garden.

They could create an entire backyard gym set-up, steps from their back door. One with all the bells and whistles of any gym, accessible any time, day or night, without a commute. A place where the equipment was always free, their choice of music played, and all without expensive ongoing membership fees!

A trusted endorsement

When it came to choosing a garden building provider to bring these plans to life, the couple didn’t have to look far for a reliable recommendation.

“This is the second Greenspan that we’ve had in the family,” Paul advises. “Our son had one a few years ago and was very happy with it and he happily referred us.”

Having a personal endorsement from such a dependable family member gave Paul and Julie immense confidence, knowing they could rely on Greenspan to deliver a professional service and high-quality result. Their new backyard gym wasn’t just going to be a building and a solution; it would be a trusted investment.

After conducting some online research and inspired by the many case studies and broad options in the Melwood range, the couple settled on a particular design.

But upon visiting one of the Display Centres, things changed.

“We found one we liked better,” says Paul.

Porch potential

Having seen the Melwood Porch in person, Paul and Julie immediately recognised its potential for their perfect backyard fitness space. Its pitched roof reflected that of the nearby outdoor entertaining area, while the attractive decked gable porch added the same traditional character as their Federation-inspired home.

But it wasn’t just about architectural harmony. Julie and Paul take pride in their garden…and it shows! Neat as a pin, immaculately tended and beautifully laid out, the new addition needed to compete with the high standards of its setting!

A tough ask, but of course, the Porch – with its classically elegant proportions – delivers. And with a range of personalisation features applied, it’s truly been perfected.

A pre-primed weatherboard cladding upgrade has been applied to the two garden-facing sides, with board and batten to the other two. The “Surfmist” Colorbond® roofing has been mirrored in the exterior paint choice and the white aluminium windows. Timber doors – double to the side and single to the porch – have been painted a soft sky blue, a detail that has been reflected in the top rail of the porch balustrade. Garden beds have been built around the base, seamlessly making the building and garden connect as one.

Instead of looking like an afterthought, it’s a beautifully integrated feature that adds to the garden’s already outstanding appeal.

An outdoor workout, inside

The thoughtful design continues inside. The internal walls have been lined with VJ panelling and painted the same blue as the doors. Practical dark grey carpet tiles offer the ideal functionality needed for heavy equipment and intensive workouts.

And it’s here where that colour choice really shines, transforming what could feel like a sterile gym environment into something welcoming and cheery. Rather than the cold, industrial feel you might expect from a space filled with treadmills, weights and exercise machines, the sky blue walls create a calming atmosphere that truly feels connected with the great outdoors.

It’s a clever design choice that bridges the gap between this being a functional fitness area and one of the garden’s most attractive features…and a space that is genuinely enjoyable for a workout.

Paul and Julie wanted fitness freedom and they certainly achieved this with their Melwood.

“The Melwood has turned out to be a great addition to the house,” Paul agrees, “Either you waste your garage or a room in the house so it’s a perfect solution for it.”

No more battling traffic to reach a crowded gym, no more waiting for equipment, and no more rigid schedules.

Their fitness routine is now entirely on their terms. They have the convenience and privacy of a dedicated home fitness space that not only motivates them to stay active and healthy, but also enhances their picture-perfect garden.

Space, simply

But this story is far from unique.

The need for additional room – or a space dedicated to a particular pursuit – is a common household dilemma.

Creatives need a separate art space where they can paint, draw, sculpt or sew freely. A detached music studio is a game changer for musicians…and their families! With the rise of hybrid or remote work, a home office is fast becoming a necessity – rather than a luxury. And many, like Julie and Paul, are dedicated to their health and wellbeing and know convenience makes a routine sustainable.

Moving house to gain this extra space is neither practical nor necessary.

It’s as simple and affordable as a room in your garden.

Paul and Julie’s backyard gym is a Melwood Porch 15 measuring 2.6m x 7.6m.

It features board and batten cladding to two sides and an upgrade to pre-primed weatherboard to the other two. Aluminium windows are in “White” and the timber glass doors have been painted a sky blue. Colorbond® roofing is in “Surfmist”.

All measurements are approximate.