Many people are choosing to exercise from home rather than going to the gym. Getting to the gym is a barrier that may prevent us from working out at all. Personally, I am not a big fan of the gym because I must wait for equipment and many of the gym members fail to wipe down the equipment. Driving to the gym is a pain and it adds a step that might get in the way of my exercise program.
Working out from home has become a better bet for my clients and myself. I started a in home personal training company because many of my clients at the gym expressed to me how much they hate commuting to the gym. Many of my clients were concerned about not having the equipment to workout at home. I showed them how easy it is to turn the home into a gym without much gym equipment.
Here are some benefits of working out from home vs the gym. We will also cover some equipment to help get you started.
Save time
Working out from home is one of the biggest time savers. Driving to the gym and going to the locker room might take an extra 30 minutes. If you have a family or longs hours at work those extra 30 minutes are valuable. While driving to the gym there might be traffic or you might have to wait for equipment which may take away from your workout.
When you work out from home you can focus on what you need to do without distraction. This leaves you with a shorter more effective workout that fits into your routine.
Save Money
Most gyms don’t cost too much but many of them hit you with fees when you sign up and membership fees add up over the years. Paying for a membership every month is like renting a home instead of owning it. Instead of paying for a monthly membership try getting a few small pieces of equipment that will fit your needs. The cost for in home workout equipment shouldn’t be more that $200-$300.
Feel comfortable
One of the best parts about working out from home in the comfort. When you exercise at home you can wear whatever you want without being judged by anyone. If you want to hit a workout in your pajamas go for it nobody is stopping, you. When go to the gym you are at the mercy of the content that they choose. When I exercise in my home gym I like to pop on a favorite show on Netflix this helps me look forward to my workouts instead of dreading them. Lastly when working out from home I can do it at my own pace not feeling rushed by anyone in the gym.
The cons of working out from home
We’ve been talking about why working out from home is amazing but I want to go over some of the cons. The gym has a lot of great things going for it. Many of the machines in the gym cost $1000s which you get to share with others for a fee. If you want to build a gym with equipment like this in your home it can take up a lot of space and cost a lot of money. Sharing equipment with others might be a good bet if you like using the expensive machines.
Working out at home can come with a lot of distractions. If you have children going to the gym might be a break that you enjoy. Breaking up your day and going somewhere might be a highlight and working out from home might not provide that break.
Going to the gym might provide a stronger social life. Talking with other gym members might be important to you. If you like being social gym workouts may fit your life more than in home training.
Equipment for home workouts
What do you need to exercise from home? I recommend getting TRX suspension trainer, kettle bell, adjustable dumbbells and medicine ball to start with. If you have an unused basement or room you can start adding a barbell, treadmill and a rack to do powerlifting. If you’re new to working out I would stick with TRX suspension trainer as starting point. The TRX suspension trainer is easy to use and comes with a guide for your workouts. I have clients in their 90s using the TRX suspension trainer.
If you’re not interested in getting equipment you can use things around the house to get you in shape. Your stairs and a chair can give you a great workout without buying any equipment. You will be able to hit all muscle groups with no equipment besides the back.
Where do you start
Starting a workout program at home is great but where should you start? Most people should start by looking for at home workout videos or blogs that have a workout program online. If you’re new to exercise all together you might want to consider hiring a in home personal trainer to get you started. Having a personal trainer show you what to do in your home will give you a great starting place for your program.
Bottom Line
Working out from home can save you time and help you reach your fitness goals from the comfort of your home. If you enjoy being social and like the big equipment that you can’t get at home, try the gym. Hiring a personal trainer to come to your home might be a better option if you’re new to working out.
Check out our page about in-home personal training
