The idea of soaking up the sun as you pump out some bench reps may sound appealing to you, and you may think, why not get an outdoor gym? This article looks at the pros and cons of an outdoor home gym to help you decide if it is a good idea.
Pros of setting up an outdoor gym
It is airy
The idea of working out outside sounds appealing for many reasons, one of which is that it is airy. Working indoors may be stuffy despite your best efforts at ventilating your indoor gym. It is vital that you feel ventilated while crunching those reps, as you need to be as comfortable as possible, especially if you are lifting heavy weights or it is your first time. If you do more cardio than weightlifting, you will also benefit from having an airy gym. You want to avoid wanting air while performing aerobic exercises as it will tire you out faster. It is possible to incorporate dumbbells into aerobic and non-aerobic exercises, so I recommend Hex Dumbbells.
💡 Quick Tip: Loadable dumbbells may be for you if you are beginning your weightlifting journey, as you can adjust them to various weight levels. I recommend the Rogue loadable dumbbells, as it is the perfect combination of classy and functional
Rogue loadable dumbbells
You get more space
Space is essential if you are setting up a gym. For one, it is vital to have considerable space if you want more extensive gym equipment like multiple cable machines. You will also need the space if you want to fit your gym with multiple free weights, benches, and squat racks. Other than these, you may also need the space if you are claustrophobic. Filling up a room with all your desired gym equipment may make it look smaller than it is, making you feel more claustrophobic. The space is also essential if you are one of many using the gym, especially at the same time. An outdoor home gym will be able to accommodate multiple persons simultaneously. If you are going for a bench-themed outdoor gym, I recommend the Rogue AB-3 Adjustable Bench.
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Flexibility
An extra advantage of an outdoor gym is the flexibility it offers. It is easier to move your equipment around, and you can rearrange them easily. You also do away with gym mats and other motion absorbers that you may need indoors so that dropping weights does not affect your floor. You should not have this problem with an outdoor gym as you would have a nice lawn or soft ground to drop your weights. However, this is not an excuse to drop your weights casually, as you may still damage the floor with repeated drops or injure yourself.
It gives you somewhere to go
This seems a bit forced, but some people find it challenging to adapt to a home gym because their bodies have been conditioned to “go somewhere” before they get to the gym. Having an outside gym helps you somewhat address this need as you go outside to it.
Cons of setting up an outdoor home gym
Humidity
A significant con of setting up an outdoor gym is that it becomes impossible or difficult to use electrical gym equipment. Standard home gym equipment like ellipticals, treadmills, rowing machines, and spin bikes have designs that make them (exclusively) suitable for indoor use. These equipment have electrical components, and the slightest contact or exposure to water or humidity can damage them. If you go for the indoor gym and you want a rowing machine, I recommend the Black Concept 2 Rowerg Rower – Pm5.
Sunlight
Likewise, there are other pieces of equipment that do not have electrical components but still should avoid being outdoors. Home gym equipment like adjustable kettlebells, fitness decks and dumbbells have rubber and plastic parts that can crack under direct sunlight or heat for extended periods. As a result, using them outdoors will require you to create a shed for them. And asides from the shed, you will also have to return them indoors when you are done with them.
Costs
Another challenge you may have to face with an outdoor home gym is the cost of getting compatible gym equipment. Most affordable squat racks are typically sturdy and durable enough for most circumstances. However, they are not water-resistant. As a result, they could rust within a year if you leave them outdoors at the mercy of the elements. Spraying them with rust-proof coating periodically may prolong their freshness, but it still may not be sufficient.
💡 Quick Tip: If you want the benefits of a home gym together with the benefits of using a barbell, you can invest in a squat rack to help you perform your squats at home. You can check out the Rogue sml-2c squat stand, which is perfect for home squats.
Rogue sml-2c squat stand
Because of this, you have to go for costlier gym equipment if you want them to last weather the outdoors for a more extended period. Likewise, you may have to opt for costlier barbells rather than the standard and cheaper barbells. Furthermore, you can only work with metal plates as the rubber coating of the bumper plates may crack if you leave them outdoors for an extended period.
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For the most part, an outdoor gym seems like it requires more effort, cost, and luck to get as much as you would with an indoor home gym. As a result, an outdoor gym may not be a bad idea for you if you can weather the challenges associated with using one. Otherwise, it is advisable to stick with an indoor home gym.
