It used to be that joining a gym was the best way to get fit. There was this big initiation fee, combined with a monthly fee that by the end of the year, added up to quite a bit of money. Now, with a number of gyms offering low fees to join, and a monthly fee that is about what you’d spend for a couple of fast-food meals, it doesn’t seem to make sense to buy equipment for your home – so why should you buy home fitness equipment?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both. What is an advantage for joining a gym may be a disadvantage for a home gym, and visa versa. Here’s how they break out:
Advantages to Joining a Gym
- Atmosphere: If you’re the type of person that needs to be around other people to motivate you, you’re looking more for the social aspect of fitness rather than the physical benefits, or you need help from a personal trainer, these are aspects that side toward joining a gym.
- Variety of Equipment: If you’re new to working out, you may not know what the best types of equipment to use in order to accomplish your fitness goals, it is much more expensive to fill your home with equipment that you’re not sure is the best for your workouts, then to just try different equipment at your local gym.
- Spotters: At your local gym, there may be a better chance of someone helping you with your strength training by “spotting” you than finding someone at home to take on that role.
Disadvantages to Joining a Gym
- Distractions: If you’re the type of person that goes to the gym to workout, not to gain a social life, gyms can be distracting.
- Waiting in Line: If the gym is crowded, you may either have to wait for your machine, or skip that part of your workout, making it more difficult to hit your fitness goals.
- Hygiene: At the gym, you’re always at the mercy of how clean the last person was that used the machine you’re on.
- Lack of Convenience: If your gym isn’t “that close”, it may be harder to get your workout in with your busy schedule.
Advantages to Working Out at a Home Gym
- Your Own Personal Space: Working out at home means you can wear whatever you want to wear, you don’t have to wait in line for a piece of equipment, you can play your own music, and even grunt without offending anyone!
- No Membership Fees: You don’t have to pay a monthly fee for a gym. And, if your friends want to come use your home equipment, you can even charge them to use your gear!
- 24/7/365 Access: Rather than trying to fit your workout into your schedule, you can workout anytime you want. As often as you want.
- You Can Focus on your Fitness Goals: With no distractions, and equipment that you’ve chosen, you know you’ve got the gear you need to accomplish your specific fitness goals.
Disadvantages to Working Out at a Home Gym
- Equipment Costs: The cost of entry is higher than joining a local gym. But, over the course of 3-5 years, you may find it’s not only more economical to own your own equipment. And, if you got more use out of your equipment then you would of trying to get to the gym, your return on investment is much higher!
- Lack of a Spotter: Working out alone means for strength training, you may not have someone to help spot you. But, there is a wide range of equipment that can allow you to accomplish the same workouts without requiring a spotter.
- Motivation: There is no one to push you. No one to make you get through that last set. But, a quick search on Google can help you find personal trainers that specialize in coming to your home, giving you that extra push you might need!
In the end, whether you join a gym, or buy home gym equipment, is a personal decision based on your budget and your fitness goals. But, for those that are dedicated to a fitness lifestyle, the pros of owning home gym equipment may outweigh the cons.
If you live in the Phoenix area, and are looking to learn more about the benefits of owning your own home gym equipment, Fitness 4 Home Superstore is here to help, whether you’re looking for cardio equipment or home gym equipment. Contact Fitness 4 Home Superstore today.
