Building an Outdoor Gym During Lockdown

When the World Stopped, I Started Building

The coronavirus lockdown hit everyone differently. Gyms closed, shops shut, and the world felt like it was on pause. But I'm a carpenter — sitting still isn't in my nature.

My partner was stressed. I was restless. So I decided to build something that would help us both: an outdoor gym in our garden.

The Challenge

Building material shortages were real. Prices shot up, suppliers had limited stock, and delivery times were unpredictable. I had to be creative with what I could source.

The Design

I kept it simple but sturdy. The most important thing was structural stability, so I added plenty of corner supports — 1 foot lengths on both the top and bottom bars. The frame needed to handle dynamic loads (pull-ups, dips, hanging) so I over-engineered everything.

The Build

Working alone in the garden, the project took about two weeks of evenings and weekends. The timber frame went up first, then the pull-up bar, dip station, and a basic platform for floor exercises.

The Result

That outdoor gym became the most-used space in our home during lockdown. It proved something I already believed: when you have carpentry skills, you can always build your way out of a problem.

Lessons Learned

• Over-engineer for safety — especially for dynamic loads
• Source materials early — supply chains can fail when you least expect it
• Design in SketchUp first — even for "simple" projects, a model saves time
• Build what you need — the best projects solve real problems