Three months ago, Mark Lewis shared the beginnings of an ambitious project: converting an old stone barn on his property into a fully functional home gym. Now, the transformation is nearly complete—and what a journey it’s been. With a practical approach, an eye for style, and the right suppliers onboard, Mark has crafted a gym that’s as robust as it is relatable.
Let’s break down the process that turned a crumbling barn into a modern workout haven—and how the right materials, especially the right fitness flooring, played a vital role.
Laying the Groundwork: Structure First
The original barn was beautiful but entirely unfit for exercise. Think: lumpy concrete slabs for flooring, no heating or cooling, and not a hint of ventilation. First up was the foundational work.
Mark and his partner tackled the walls using traditional quicklime repointing, maintaining the barn’s historic integrity while giving it a fresh, breathable finish. They followed with a lime wash, carefully layering coats to achieve a crisp, clean look that complements the rustic character.
The subfloor was another story. A serious slope towards the doorway needed correcting—this meant digging, levelling, and using self-levelling compound to even everything out. At one point, one corner was a full 10mm lower than the other, but after some determined DIY and a lot of YouTube research, the floor was as flat as they come. And that’s where the real transformation began.
Enter: Sprung Konnecta Fleckz Interlocking Gym Flooring
With a perfectly level base, the next crucial step was selecting the right flooring—after all, this wasn’t just a cosmetic decision. Home gym flooring needs to be safe, resilient, and suitable for high-impact training. For this, Mark turned to our Konnecta interlocking gym tiles range, selecting Seahawk as his final selection—and the choice paid off in spades.
Unlike basic black tiles, this coloured tile range offers a modern aesthetic with a unique, textured fleck pattern in various striking shades such as Seahawk in a blend of vibrant blue, pale grey and white on a sleek black outlay. From a distance, the colour blends subtly into the room, while up close, the detail adds character and depth. It’s not just about looks, though—the surface is smoother than standard gym tiles, making it easy to clean (a necessity with all the sweating that comes from a proper gym session!).
More importantly, the tiles lock together using a secure plate system, ensuring no shifting underfoot during even the most vigorous training. Mark mentioned being “very, very happy” with the tiles, and even joked about lining his goat stable with the extras. High praise indeed.
Climate Control & Lighting: Creating a Year-Round Gym Space
With thick stone walls, the barn held temperature well—but it still needed heating and cooling to be usable year-round. Mark installed two independently controlled split units to manage both temperature and humidity, ensuring the space would be comfortable no matter the season.
Lighting also had to be functional yet sympathetic to the barn’s structure. He opted for ultra-modern LED lighting, strategically placed to contrast against the rustic timber and stone. The installation wasn’t without its challenges (read: near-divorces and tripped breakers), but the end result adds a sleek, high-performance vibe to the space.
The Gym Itself: Efficient Equipment, Smart Layout
With the room ready, it was time to bring in the kit. A highlight (still pending delivery at the time of filming) is the Extreme Fitness all-in-one squat rack. This absolute unit features dual pulleys, a Smith machine, a landmine attachment, and 120kg stacks—designed to fulfil all of Mark’s weight training needs from a single footprint.
There’s also a SkiErg, two Zwift bikes with wall-mounted displays, and plenty of under-bench storage planned for gear, supplements, and workout wear. High-mounted chin bars ensure tall users aren’t left hanging low, and everything is designed with efficient, flexible use of space in mind.
What’s Next?
With finishing touches underway—sealants, trims, and storage still to be finalised—the gym is almost ready for action. And while this space may be larger than the average UK garage, the build process, the problems faced, and the solutions chosen are familiar to anyone who’s tried to create their own training space at home. Watch the full video to see the complete transformation.
This project proves what’s possible with the right attitude, a bit of DIY spirit, and premium materials—particularly the foundation beneath your feet. For home gym owners, there’s a lot to take away from Mark’s experience. And when it comes to gym flooring, Konnecta interlocking gym mats clearly stand out as a top-tier choice for both performance and style.
Thinking of building your own home gym? Make sure you start from the ground up—literally. Invest in the right workout flooring, and you’ll build a gym that lasts for years.
