Moving your exercise equipment outdoors can be an appealing way to make more room inside your home, enjoy fresh air, and create a more comfortable workout space. Whether you have a treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical, or other fitness equipment, an outdoor setup may offer some advantages.
However, before moving your equipment to a patio, porch, or backyard, there are a few important considerations. Not all exercise machines are designed to withstand outdoor conditions, and exposure to sunlight, moisture, and temperature changes can affect their performance and condition.
Here are three potential benefits of an outdoor workout space, along with three things to consider before making the move.
3 Benefits of Moving Your Exercise Equipment Outdoors
1. Free Up Space Indoors
Exercise equipment can take up a surprising amount of room. Treadmills, stationary bikes, ellipticals, and weight machines all require dedicated floor space, and many need additional clearance to allow for safe use.
If you have a suitable outdoor area, moving your equipment could free up valuable space inside your home. A covered patio, enclosed porch, or other appropriately protected area may provide an alternative location for your workout equipment without sacrificing accessibility.
This can be especially helpful if you live in a smaller home or want to reclaim a spare bedroom, basement, or other multipurpose space.
2. Create a Separate Workout Environment
Not everyone has the space for a dedicated home gym. Moving exercise equipment to a separate area can help establish a more defined workout environment.
It can also help keep exercise-related noise and activity separate from the rest of your household. Treadmills, stationary bikes, and other machines can produce mechanical noise, while music, workout videos, and other sounds may disrupt people in nearby rooms.
A properly situated outdoor workout area can provide some additional separation, particularly if you have a detached structure or a suitable space away from the main living areas.
3. Enjoy Fresh Air and Natural Light
One of the biggest advantages of exercising outdoors is the opportunity to spend more time in a natural environment.
Research has associated spending time outdoors with improved mental well-being and reduced stress. Natural light and fresh air can also make a workout feel different from exercising in an enclosed room. The CDC highlights several health benefits of spending time outdoors.
If you prefer using a stationary bike, treadmill, or other machine rather than exercising outdoors without equipment, an appropriately designed outdoor workout area can offer a combination of both experiences.
Just remember to take precautions against excessive sun exposure. Seek shade when possible, wear protective clothing, and apply sunscreen when spending extended periods outside.
3 Things to Consider Before Moving Exercise Equipment Outside
Before relocating your equipment, make sure your space and machine are suitable for outdoor use. A covered patio or garage may provide some protection, but neither automatically offers the same conditions as an indoor, climate-controlled environment.
1. Check Your Equipment's Warranty
This is one of the most important steps before moving your exercise equipment outdoors.
Many fitness machines are manufactured for indoor use only. Using or storing them outdoors, even in a covered area, may violate the manufacturer's recommendations or affect warranty coverage.
Review your owner's manual and warranty information before making any changes. Pay particular attention to restrictions involving outdoor use, temperature fluctuations, humidity, and moisture.
If the documentation isn't clear, contact the manufacturer directly. A little research beforehand could help you avoid an expensive repair or replacement later.
2. Make Sure You Have a Suitable Location
Having an available patio or backyard doesn't necessarily mean it's an appropriate place for exercise equipment.
Consider the following before setting up your outdoor workout space:
Stable ground: Exercise machines need a level, stable surface. Uneven or shifting ground can affect machine stability and create safety concerns.
Adequate clearance: Make sure you have enough room around the equipment to use it safely and access it when necessary.
Weather protection: Direct sunlight, rain, snow, humidity, and extreme temperatures can all affect fitness equipment. A covered area can help, but it won't eliminate exposure to environmental conditions.
Electrical access: If your machine requires electricity, make sure the outlet and electrical installation are appropriate for outdoor use. Outdoor outlets should have proper weather protection and GFCI protection. Never use damaged cords or operate electrical equipment in wet conditions. The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers additional guidance on outdoor electrical safety.
If you're unsure whether your location is suitable, consult the equipment manufacturer or a qualified electrician where appropriate.
3. Protect Your Equipment with a Properly Fitted Cover
Even when exercise equipment is kept in a garage, shed, or covered patio, it can still be exposed to dust, dirt, pollen, moisture, and sunlight.
A properly fitted equipment cover provides an additional layer of protection when your machine isn't in use. Depending on the cover material and construction, it can help shield equipment from:
Dust and airborne debris
Pollen and dirt
Sunlight and UV exposure
Incidental moisture and splashes
Everyday environmental contaminants
The right cover depends on the equipment, where it will be stored, and the conditions it will encounter. It's important to choose a cover designed for your particular application and to follow the equipment manufacturer's storage recommendations.
Find the Right Exercise Equipment Cover
Whether you're protecting a treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical, or another piece of fitness equipment, a properly designed cover can help keep it clean and protected between workouts.
Equip offers standard-size covers for a variety of fitness machines, as well as custom covers designed to accommodate unique equipment dimensions and configurations.
Our team can help you find a cover that fits your equipment and meets your protection requirements. From selecting the appropriate materials to determining the right dimensions, we work to create covers that provide a dependable fit and suit your equipment's intended storage environment.
Protect your fitness equipment with a cover from Equip. Explore our selection of standard and custom exercise equipment covers to find the right solution for your needs.
