Best Outdoor Gym Covering

Should You Install A Pop up Tent, Gazebo or a Pergola for Your Outdoor Gym?

Outdoor gyms are great except for the fact that they’re vulnerable to the weather. If you reside in an area that is mostly temperate, this won’t be a serious issue for you. But no matter where you live, if you like exercising outdoors, at some point you will encounter bad weather. A tent, a gazebo and a pergola are some of the available options that you, as a home gym owner, can use to protect yourself from the elements; but which of the three is the perfect one for you?

Tents/Canopies

Tents or canopies are popular for those looking to create an outdoor gym on a small budget. A tent is also easy to set-up, unlike other options. Its extendibility and flexibility mean that you can put up the gym and remove it at any time that you want; additionally, you can decide to extend it according to your specific needs. Tents are also easy to customize; they are available in different sizes from 3 meters to 80+ meters; and come in different shapes – cubes tent, dome tent, frame tent, and geodesic tent, etc. The disadvantage of gym tents is that they need to be well secured so that they can withstand strong winds. They are also not very good during heavy rains or heavy snow. Unlike a pergola or a gazebo, a tent gym isn’t that attractive, but it can provide sufficient protection if you live in a dry climate where dust storms are common.

Gazebo

When it comes to increasing your home’s curb appeal, a gazebo is a perfect addition to your property. Putting up a gazebo in your own backyard will give you the benefit of an outdoor exercise area with more stability than a tent. You can install equipment such as straps and pull-up bars in your gazebo and leave them in place when you have completed your work-out. Unlike gym tents, gazebo gyms can hold far more equipment safely. A gazebo gym can easily hold: • Waterproof/plastic storage box • Exercise ball • Weights/Bands • Yoga mat • Pull-up bar Additionally, you can equip your gazebo gym with ventilation systems, lighting systems, composite rubber mats, etc. to give it a more professional appearance if you also use your home gym to train clients.

Pergola

A pergola is an open structure which consists of four main support beams with cross beams or a lattice design as its “roof.” Often, a pergola is confused with a gazebo. Although they have a similar design, a gazebo has a solid roof while a pergola has an open concept cross beams. A gazebo is usually round or shaped like an octagon while a pergola is rectangular or a square. Just like a pop up tent, a pergola will provide some protection from the sun as you work out. However, it will not provide you with sufficient cover for your equipment to avoid dirt, dust or rain and the potential rust that comes with rainy days! The partial shade of a pergola will protect you from direct sunlight as you work out, and it also leaves plenty of space for the breeze to come through, cooling you as you exercise.

Not Recommended: Tarps

If you decide to just use a tarp for your outdoor gym and you live in an area that frequently experiences heavy rain, get ready to repair and re-adjust your tarp after each storm.