GYMS

Exercise

SUE WALLACE

Sights trained on home gyms

Priorities have shifted from home theatres to dedicated rooms for exercise

From rowing machines shoved under staircases and treadmills banished to laundries, home gyms are now becoming specially designed showplaces in which to shed those kilos and tone the body beautiful.

The demand for bespoke home gyms is a new trend that’s seeing the addition of classy havens where you can lift weights, and do your lunges, push-ups, burpees, squats and crunches.

The home-gym rethink has been fuelled by COVID-19 lockdowns that saw gyms close and sales of home gym equipment and activewear skyrocket. Dumbbells became as scarce as loo paper and, across the country, you had to be waitlisted for yoga mat purchases as they were in such short supply.

Exercise devotees were forced to improvise and set up their own workout areas, leaving many inspired to include a dedicated gym in their next build or house purchase.

Architects and real estate agents say they have noticed much more chat about a home gym for family and friends to use, whereas before it was more about home theatres.

Sydney architect Phillip Arnold of Plus Minus Design says that he’s seen more demand for specified home gyms and multifunctional rooms. “People no longer want to workout in a cramped spare room or in surplus garage space, and are looking for a comfortable area that can be multifunctional and is a pleasant place to spend time,” he says.

Arnold was engaged to create a gym and multifunctional pavilion in the stunning gardens of historic house Caerleon, a Queen Anne style beauty built in 1886 in Sydney’s Bellevue Hill.

The result, Stealth Pavilion, was finished just before COVID and is an outstanding example of a sleek gym that can easily be converted to guest accommodation.

There were many challenges for the project, as the house, garden, gate posts and five specific trees are heritage listed, leaving little room to manoeuvre.

Periodically over the past 12 years, Arnold has worked on the restoration of the house, which was designed for Charles Fairfax by architects Harry Kent in Sydney and Maurice Adams in London 136 years ago.

“We considered multiple locations for the pavilion, with the final position immediately inside the heritage-listed gates and within a grove that includes three of the five heritage-listed trees on the property, but well away from the house,” he says.

A Robert Plumb Build, Stealth Pavilion is clad in bronze mirror that reflects the surrounding garden designed by Dangar Barin Smith. Although only 10m from the street, it is so well disguised it may not be seen by passers-by.

Arnold says functional requirements were carefully laid out to minimise the footprint. The plan has two wings off the main space: a bathroom and a room for cardio equipment that could be used as a bedroom if the gym is converted to accommodation. In guesthouse mode, the dumbbell rack becomes a kitchenette, and a sofa would replace the weight-training machine.

The interior does double duty with walls and joinery in American oak, durable enough to survive vigorous use and also provide the warmth of a residential space.

Large windows frame views of the garden, gates, house and tree trunks, and a skylight looks up into the tree canopy.

PRUE RUSCOE Stealth Pavilion sits in the garden and can be converted into guest accommodation

“The pavilion is very much integrated into its setting, and through sensitive siting, respects, reflects and enhances its heritage site and its landscape context,” Arnold says.

His suggestions for a home gym include using durable building materials in case walls are knocked by the odd dumbbell or weight. “I know the American oak will withstand a whack from gym equipment, while something like plasterboard would immediately show the damage,” he says.

It’s also important to be comfortable as people spend a lot of time working out, so atmosphere matters.

Stealth Pavilion gym is used daily by family members and friends, according to Arnold, who is also engaged in another home gym project as part of his residential work.

Brisbane architect Dion Seminara echoes Arnold’s comments about the increasing demand for home gyms. “Yes, in every luxury property a gym has an important place and position is key; people want to look over the swimming pool or have outstanding garden views,” he says. “What is essential is space to hold multiple machines, a miniature hot tub and sauna, as well as an extension to the workout areas and decent ceiling heights.”

Seminara says gyms are at the forefront of must-haves these days but they need to be separate from the main living areas. “Couples train together and welcome neighbours and friends in so there are requests for much bigger spaces.”

Ray White Group managing director Dan White says he’s had more inquiries about home gyms in blue ribbon properties. “COVID has prompted a lot of people to re-evaluate their life choices in luxury housing and many people want home gyms.”

So are home gyms just a passing fad? I’d bet a protein shake they are here to stay.