Take a nature walk in your own back yard.

What does a deck or porch have to do with your health? The answer–compare walking on a treadmill or lifting weights while staring at a wall to being outside on a sunny day. It’s easy to see how having an open-air exercise space can entice you into that daily workout. And if a more contemplative style of exercise is your choice, say yoga or tai chi, then it makes even more sense to have a comfortable outdoor space where you can connect with the nature that surrounds you.

Design strategies for your own outdoor fitness center.

Outdoor exercise spaces fall into two categories–those that require equipment and those that don’t. When equipment is involved, a good approach is creating an enclosed porch area that can be opened up during your workout and locked when you’re away. This can be as simple as using sliding glass doors or a more elaborate plan that uses banks of windows that open easily for maximum exposure. The example you see here uses windows, doors and a skylight with deck plantings for an all around outdoor experience. StoneDeck was the decking of choice for its durability and beauty.

For exercise areas where no equipment is required, the idea is to create a deck space that’s out in the open. It should provide the space you need to move in and create an environment that helps to calm the mind. Tropical Hardwoods are a great decking option for this purpose. Designing in a water feature or deck garden is another way to create a space that will help you to look forward to your next workout.