Jump to:
The best summer houses for gym or yoga use have thick floors, insulation, and ventilation. This guide breaks it all down and gives you a couple of options that tick those boxes. Handy if you plan to get this type of garden room for the same purpose. Ready?
Garden Gyms Require Thick Floors
Thicker floors give you better support and can take the weight of bulkier equipment. They’re also less likely to let cold or damp creep in, which is useful if you want to use the space year-round. Unlike thinner designs that can flex, creak, or snag over time, especially under heavy gear.
One thing worth looking for is a tongue and groove floor, where the boards slot into each other. This gives you a stronger and more stable surface.
An 18mm to 20mm thickness is an excellent range. The standard flooring on most summer houses, though, is 11mm, which is on the thinner side. The good news is that upgrades are available on most models. Our BillyOh units, including our log cabin summer houses, come with a 19mm T&G floor as an option.
Tip: Removing the boards can be a bit of a job if your current summer house has an 11mm floor. You can leave them as they are, but add extra protection like rubber mats. Just be mindful of the weight of the equipment to make it work.
Insulation: Yes or No?
Insulation’s main purpose is to maintain a consistent temperature inside. Without it, you might find it too cold in winter (freezing in January) or too warm in the summer (roasting in July). It also stops condensation from building up, keeping your stored equipment mould-free.
Some summer houses do come insulated. These tend to be pricier, but they’re ready to go all season. Others don’t include it as standard, but you can always add it yourself. Many go the DIY route with basic insulation boards and internal cladding, which works well if you’re on a budget.
Insulated walls and roof panels make a difference in how the space feels day to day. So yes, insulation is worth factoring in.
Keep the Air Moving
No one wants a sweaty summer house gym or yoga retreat. Otherwise, the space can get hot, stuffy, and damp, which isn’t great when working out or meditating.
Like insulation, ventilation is often built into modern summer houses. You’ll usually find vents or windows that can be opened.
Vents are often placed high on the walls or near the roof, low on the walls, or on opposite walls. For windows, try opening them to a gap of at least 4 to 6 inches. If there’s more than one, unlatch at least two to get the air moving through the space.
If you’ve already got a summer house, you can add ventilation yourself. Just bear in mind, it might get pricey, especially if you’re replacing windows. A good workaround is to install fans.
Portable fans can be mounted to the wall or ceiling to save space. Or go for a freestanding one if you’d rather avoid the faff of fitting anything.
Best Summer Houses from BillyOh
Here are two models that can easily be turned into a gym or yoga space:
BillyOh Bella Tongue and Groove Pent Summerhouse
The Bella is a contemporary summerhouse with tall windows and strong T&G panelling. It’s one of those units that offer floor customisation, from 11mm T&G as standard to 19mm for the thicker option.
Sizes start at 8×8, which suits medium-sized gardens, with 16×8 being the largest. Dimensions like these should give you enough room to set up several gym equipment or a yoga space for a group.
While the windows don’t open, the wide double doors help with airflow. You can add vents if needed; this DIY should be straightforward with the tongue and groove walls. The boards can be drilled or cut without damaging the structure.
Although not insulated, the heavy-duty cladding can handle the weather well on its own. Adding insulation, however, would make it more versatile. As mentioned, it will enable you to use the garden room not just for the summer.
See also: a summerhouse which is a similar style but with a peaked roof: the BillyOh Petra Reverse Apex Summerhouse. The great thing about both these buildings is that you can place the double doors in any position along the front to match your desired layout, not just at the centre.
BillyOh Dojo E Insulated Building
The Dojo E is our most premium insulated summerhouse, and the greatest thing is that it’s. designed for year-round comfort.
Starting with the 15mm T&G exterior cladding and 11mm T&G interior cladding that form the structure. The EPS foam goes between the boards to keep the space better insulated. Extra-strong 27x44mm internal framing is also added for durability, longevity, and rigidity.
The floorboards are made from 19mm T&G and supported by 38x38mm pressure treated bearers. Plus, an EcoQuilt multifoil insulation sandwiched between. That thicker flooring adds strength underfoot. It’s perfect for high-impact workouts and keeping the chill out during morning yoga.
As if that weren’t enough, the double glazing combination provides unbeatable comfort. This means fewer distractions from noise—a real plus when you’re trying to focus on form, breathing, or reps.
Hopefully this has helped you along your way to choosing a summerhouse for a gym, so you can start your new fitness journey.
Garden Buildings Direct offers a great range of summerhouses and insulated garden rooms. Check them out for more options, including our garden gym collection.
Still not sure which building is right for you? Read our Guide to Garden Gyms.
Read this guide next for more tips: Creating a Garden Gym in Your Log Cabin
