Sometimes it can be confusing deciding whether to stick to a fitness class at the gym or follow a workout program at home. After making a firm decision to exercise, you still find it difficult to choose where to do it.
You deliberate whether to invest in equipment to create your own home gym or purchase a membership to a gym. All you want is the option that best suits your fitness goals.
Basically, the two options can be used to meet your fitness goals. However, you need to ask yourself “why am I working out?” because your motivation has a role to play in making a decision.
Whichever you decide, you have to make sure it’s an environment that fits your needs, personality, and budget the most. This is imperative to ensure that you follow through your fitness routine.
There are benefits and drawbacks to working out in either location. So, let’s take a look at some Pros and Cons of choosing to workout at a gym or at home. This will go a long way in helping you make a choice.
Pros of taking fitness classes at the gym
1. Motivation
When you work out in a gym, you get to meet other people who also have fitness goals. You draw a lot of motivation and energy from that friendly competitive vibe. You are not doing it alone and you’ll perform far better surrounded by driven individuals.
Moreover, when you pay for a gym membership, especially when it’s quite expensive, there’s additional incentive to benefit as much as possible from your investment.
2. Energy
When everyone in a gym is sweating during a workout, it helps to boost your energy level to work even harder. You want to be at the top of your game rather than left behind. So you run faster on that treadmill or increase your reps of pushups.
3. Variety and options
There are a lot of options you can get in a gym. You can find the treadmill, stair climber, stationary bike, the elliptical, the rowing machine etc. This can make your workout more effective and interesting because you have choices to make.
As an example there are machines, free weights, bands, cable machines and more for strength training. Some gyms have a tennis court, hot tub, pool and other light exercise sections to give you even more variety.
4. Focus
When you’re at the gym, there are no kids to distract you, no chores to stare at you and nothing steals your attention. You stay focused on your workout alone.
Cons of taking fitness classes at a gym
1. Gyms are expensive
For some, the cost of taking a fitness class in a gym can make you break the bank. The membership fee, cost of gas for transportation, cost of specialty classes, parking and other requirements can be quite expensive.
You may also want a personal trainer, which adds to the cost. This can be hard to swing especially if you’re on a budget.
2. More germs in the gym
A gym is a good place to go on your journey to good health but it can be dangerous too. Imagine having to use a machine and seeing sweat droplets all over it. You don’t even know the state of health of the last user.
Although many people are considerate enough to wipe down the machine after use, some germs are still persistent. Your gym bags too can carry more germs than the locker rooms and showers. Those sweaty clothes you keep inside the bag can be a breeding place for bugs.
3. Less privacy
You cannot find a haven for privacy when you’re in a gym. Cardio machines can be arranged so closely that you will have to share mat space.
Besides, the crowd in gyms at some periods of the year can be alarming (especially the first month of the year when people want to stick to resolutions). It can make you slack off or skip workout sessions if you prefer more intimate surroundings.
Pros of working out at home
1. Convenience
There’s no restriction or rules when you train at home. You can even rock your pajamas (although it’s not advisable). There is no cost of transportation, parking and use of locker rooms.
You are not under any time frame; you just workout whenever you like even at odd hours. You can blast your own music and you’re free to cry when it’s needed.
2. It is cheaper
You don’t necessarily have to buy sophisticated machines to workout. You can even do full-body workouts without using any equipment at all. You can be good just with an exercise ball and a few resistance bands. Again, it’s liberating when you don’t have to pay a membership fee.
Cons of working out at home
1. You can quit at anytime
When you work out at home, no one is watching you. This can easily make you bail out on workout and quit. There’s no motivation to keep you going from friends and people nearby.
Moreover, you can push back your workouts because they are one-dimensional and mundane. This usually leads to less exercising and consequently slows results.
2. Boredom
At home, there are little distractions and scenery and it can get really boring with time. You don’t have a variety of options to choose from; you just keep repeating the same thing daily. The truth is, sometimes we all need stimulation. Even the right type of little distractions can keep us going. The attractive guy or gal near you on the treadmill is a good one.
3. Space
A small home can actually hinder you from getting some machines for a workout. There is no storage space or playground and it often kills the push to break a sweat. But you can actually make do with a small space if you’re inventive.
Final words
You can certainly achieve your fitness goal either from home or taking classes at the gym. The two choices have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it is left for you to choose what’s best for you. Consider your personal preference, your budget, and your motivation. If you can motivate yourself, you can stick to working out at home. However, when you are prone to making excuses or you easily get bored, get out of the house and hit the gym.
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Photos: ThoroughlyReviewed, Contours Express, Richard Tanton
