Garden Gym & Wellness Space
Published: 28 December 2025
Reading Time: 3 minutes 30 seconds
Smart Modular Buildings are well known for creating flexible, design-led garden buildings, and this Affinity® range project is a great example of how their modular system can be tailored to create a calm, well-specified home gym and wellness space.
As we head into the turn of the year, ideas around home gyms and personal wellness spaces are very much on people’s minds. This project shows how a thoughtfully designed garden building can support both everyday exercise and relaxation, all within the privacy of the garden.
A Flexible Footprint, Tailored to the Owner
The building is an Affinity 8m x 3m, with the footprint including the covered canopy area. One of the strengths of the Affinity range is the ability to choose both size and layout, and this owner has made full use of that flexibility.
The main glazed elevation features wide French doors flanked by full-height windows, opening directly onto the covered veranda. This arrangement floods the gym with natural light and creates a strong visual connection with the garden, while also making it easy to step straight out into the sheltered outdoor space.
Additional high-level opening windows have been positioned on the left-hand side wall. These bring in extra daylight and, just as importantly for a gym environment, provide simple and effective ventilation when the equipment is in use.
A Calm, Well-Specified Home Gym Interior
Inside, the space has been designed as a dedicated gym, carefully tailored around the owner’s exercise routine. A range of cardio and strength equipment sits comfortably within the room, without it ever feeling cluttered.
The interior palette is deliberately restrained. White walls and ceiling help to maximise light and keep the room feeling fresh, while a dark grey feature wall adds contrast and definition. The ceiling is fitted with recessed downlighting to provide even, practical illumination throughout the space.
In terms of comfort, the specification goes beyond the basics. The gym includes air conditioning for year-round climate control, and a wall-mounted TV allows the owner to follow online classes or watch TV while working out. The result is a space that feels considered and genuinely usable on a daily basis, rather than a compromise tucked away at the end of the garden.
The Affinity Canopy: Indoor–Outdoor Living in Practice
A key design feature of the Affinity range is the covered canopy area, and it plays an important role in this project. The canopy creates a sheltered zone that extends the use of the building beyond the enclosed room itself.
The solid rear wall showcases the Affinity range’s signature cladding style, while the underside of the canopy roof is finished in black, with recessed exterior-grade downlights. The contrast between the dark detailing and the Siberian Larch cladding is particularly striking and works especially well in the evening, when the lighting creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Since the building was installed, the owner has further developed the space into a complete wellness zone. A sauna pod has been added beneath the canopy, and a hot tub sits directly in front of the garden room, turning the area into a seamless exercise and recovery environment.
Designed for Year-Round Use
As with all buildings in the Affinity range, this garden gym is designed for comfortable, all-season use. The insulated structure, flush interior finish, and integrated climate control mean the space works just as well in winter as it does in summer.
The building sits on a groundscrew base, reducing disruption to the garden during installation while providing a solid and durable foundation.
Why the Affinity Range Works So Well for Gyms and Wellness Spaces
This project highlights why the Affinity range is particularly well suited to home gyms and wellness buildings:
- A wide choice of sizes to suit different gardens
Flexible glazing layouts to balance light, views, and privacy - A covered canopy that naturally supports hot tubs, seating areas, or saunas
- A clean, contemporary aesthetic that works well in both urban and rural settings
Whether used as a gym, studio, office, or family space, the indoor–outdoor configuration opens up a lot of design possibilities.
Learn More
If this project has sparked ideas for your own garden gym or wellness space, it’s well worth taking a closer look at the Affinity range. Smart Modular Buildings offer a high degree of flexibility, backed up by clear design tools and hands-on support if you want to talk things through.
You can explore their work and learn more at www.smartgardenoffices.co.uk, email hello@smbuk.com, or call 0333 880 6157 to discuss your project.
