HOME GYM VS. GYM MEMBERSHIP: WHICH IS BETTER?

Are you trying to decide whether to buy a home gym or a gym membership? Both options have their pros and cons. A gym gives you access to a wider variety of exercise equipment, so it’s easier for you to get a complete, full-body workout. Moreover, you’re less likely to get bored. Gyms are also social in nature because you get to work out with other people – they are places to see and be seen.

Gyms have personal trainers who can teach you how to use the equipment properly, which is particularly helpful if you’re new to fitness. However, the cost of gym memberships continues to increase. Gym memberships can be a financial burden since many gyms require you to commit for at least a year. For some people, a gym membership is simply out of the question because they can’t afford it.

Another downside of gym memberships is that regardless of how motivated you are in the beginning, you may not go to the gym as often as you intended. You might start making excuses, saying that the gym is too far away or that you don’t have enough time to go. Gyms also tend to get crowded because most people go to them at around the same time (before or after work). This can make it difficult to find parking and access the machines you want to use.

Advantages of Home Gyms

One of the biggest advantages of having a home gym is that you can exercise whenever you want and not just when the gym is open. You also have the freedom to blast your music as loud as you want to. However, working out at home can get lonely at times because it lacks the sense of camaraderie that gyms offer. But for some, working out alone is preferable because they’re not comfortable with their bodies and would rather exercise in the privacy of their own homes. Self-consciousness drives some people to avoid the gym at all costs.

While the initial investment in a home gym is relatively large, it will cost you far less than a gym membership in the long run. Your home gym will last for years if you choose high-quality equipment. What’s more, you can continually tailor your home gym equipment to meet your specific fitness needs and goals.

Home gyms are also more convenient than gym memberships because they’re right at home, making it a lot easier for you to fit workouts into your day. You’re more likely to stick to your fitness plan if you have a home gym because you can’t make excuses about not having time to go to the gym. Plus, when the weather’s bad, you can just exercise at home. Home gyms are also an ideal choice for those who live in rural areas with little to no gyms.

Another perk of having a home gym is that you don’t have to share your equipment with other people. You can spend as much time as you want on the equipment of your choosing and you won’t pick up any germs. Furthermore, you can avoid the squeamish experience of touching strangers’ sweat or getting a whiff of their body odor.

Disadvantages of Home Gyms

There are also a few disadvantages associated with having a home gym. For one, many people get distracted while working out at home because everyday life easily gets in the way. The refrigerator is right there, the kids are tugging at your clothes, and the TV and comfortable sofa are calling your name.

Going to the gym may help you escape distractions and get into the zone when you work out. Gyms can also be more motivating because they’re full of other people who are working hard to reach their fitness goals. That sure beats working out while your family members watch TV.

Another issue is that exercise equipment can take up a lot of space. If you have tight living quarters, you might not have anywhere to put your equipment or enough room to complete your workouts comfortably.

In addition, it can be harder for you to push yourself to exercise at home – cultivating self-discipline is key. If you have a family, it’s ideal to work out early in the morning before everybody else wakes up so you can get through your workouts with any distractions.

Deciding Between a Home Gym and a Gym Membership

In our experience, those who purchase home gyms tend to stick with their exercise plans longer and are more likely to reach their fitness goals than those who purchase gym memberships. However, some people prefer to have a gym membership and a home gym, so they can mix things up and enjoy the best of both worlds.

At Health and Fitness Equipment Centers, we offer a wide selection of compact Precor, Tuff Stuff, Vectra, Bodycraft, and Inspire. Contact us today for more information