When it comes down to it, making the decision to start exercising is easy and kind of exciting. However, it tends to become more complicated when the time comes and you actually have to do it.
The question comes in with where, when, and with who you should do it? Signing up and paying for the gym is easy but so is not using it at all.
As a result of that, many people who are busy throughout the day and can’t find time to exercise end up working out from home. But, is that the most optimal choice or is the gym better?
In this article, we will take a look at whether going to the gym is better than working out at home.
Pros Of Working Out At Home
1) It Is Convenient
One of the greatest aspects of exercising at home is the flexibility it offers. Whether you have 15 minutes or an hour to squeeze in a workout between meetings, you can make it work.
Not having to commute, pack a bag, or organize a babysitter - you can literally workout in your pajamas if you wanted.
Additionally, you can work out whenever and wherever you want. Let it be in the spare room, your garden, or even in the garage - you can make your setup suitable to you and your lifestyle.
2) It Is Cost-Effective
Working out from home means that there is no monthly membership fee and additional expenses of using gas to get to the gym. Working out from home means that you need very little to have an effective exercise session.
Setting up your home gym with a few inexpensive power bands, resistance loops, and an exercise ball is all you need.
Even so, that is not necessary. Bodyweight workouts require no equipment and are just as effective, so in the beginning, if you are unsure of where to begin and need to save on some costs, bodyweight workouts are a great choice.
Cons Of Working Out At Home
When working out from home, it is easy to let some of the factors we mentioned below set you off track and ultimately sabotage your home workout routine.
1) Boredom
When training at the gym, you can feel inspired because you’re in an environment with other like-minded people, and who knows, that might be enough to boost your energy and push you through the workout.
However, when working out from home, you don’t have that. It can be quite boring and lonely, if you are a people person and enjoy variety. In that case, you might start lacking motivation and not work out at all.
2) Excuses
As much as we like to tell ourselves differently, when training at home, it is very easy to find many excuses to skip your workout for the day. If you are not motivated to exercise, you may find yourself getting distracted and cutting your workout short or completely bypassing it through productive procrastination.
Doing things like ironing clothes or filing your nails might become a lot more appealing when you are tired and do not feel like working out.
Pros Of Joining A Gym
1) Amenities
Exercising can be a lot easier when you have many options to choose from. If you enjoy doing and trying out different forms of cardio, your options are endless. The majority of the gyms have treadmills, ellipticals, stair masters, and many other types of equipment you can try.
In addition, there is also the option to swim, use weights, play squash, or work out outside if your gym has an outside area.
2) Classes
Another big reason so many people go to the gym is because of the classes that they offer. Being led by a professional might put more trust in your abilities and for once, you’ll know that you’re doing things the right way.
It’s also a great place to meet new like-minded people.
Cons Of Joining a Gym
1) It Is Expensive
No matter where and when, if you want to join a gym, you will have to pay some sort of membership fee. Depending on the particular gym, it can become quite costly very quickly. High-end gyms can often cost more than $100 per month whereas smaller gyms may charge anything from $10-$20 dollars.
2) Hassle
If you are short on time and need to get in a quick workout, joining a gym may not seem as appealing. Apart from having to get there, you also have to pack a bag, pour yourself some water, get dressed, and the list goes on.
If you are considering joining a gym, your time commitment is going to be longer so you need to make sure it fits in well with your schedule, or else those excuses not to exercise will begin to show.
Conclusion
There is no clear winner as to whether going to the gym or working out at home is better. What you should pay attention to instead is your goals, schedule, and needs.
Do you have the time to allocate 2-3 hours of your day to go to the gym 4-5 times a week? If not, then working out at home might be the better option for you.
Whatever the case may be, remember that it’s always better to get a workout in - regardless of where it’s done than not working out at all because you can’t find the time to go to the gym.
