Exercising at home can be an alternative to exercising at the gym. But is it really the better option for you? This post weighs up the pros and cons of working out at home.
Pro: No gym membership
Not everyone can afford to pay a monthly subscription fee to a gym just to exercise. Working out at home is free. Of course, if you do want equipment – you’ll have to pay for it. However, it is possible to exercise without equipment. There are also many free exercise videos online to make you feel like you’re taking part in an exercise class.
Con: Less space and equipment
Some people don’t have a lot of space in their home to exercise. For those that are able to convert a room into a home gym, there is still the issue of acquiring equipment. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to afford to buy all the equipment found in a gym, let alone find the space for it. Paying a gym membership has the advantage of giving you access to a range of equipment and plenty of space to exercise.
Pro: More privacy
It’s possible that you may get shy exercising around other people. Exercising at home allows you to work out without worrying about people watching you. Unlike at a gym, you also don’t have to wait for people to finish using equipment, nor do you have to deal with people interrupting your workout to chat or ask you if you’re almost done.
Con: No social interaction
Of course, while some people don’t like exercising around people, others quite like the social interaction that a gym or outdoor class might provide. When you exercise at home, there’s no chance of meeting other people. Going to the gym or going to outdoor exercise classes/clubs can be a chance to make friends or to seek workout advice.
Pro: Flexibility
A great benefit of home workouts is that you can more easily fit them around your schedule. Your local gym may have select opening hours and you may have to set aside time to travel there and back. Meanwhile, going for a cycle ride or jog may not be suitable in bad weather. Home workouts can be planned at any time and you don’t have to worry about the weather if you’ve got space to exercise indoors. You can more flexibly plan workouts and may even be able to squeeze short HIIT workouts more easily into a busy schedule. If you’re a parent, you can also work out at home without worrying about arranging childcare.
Con: Lack of motivation
It can be much harder for some people to motivate themselves to work out at home. Getting away from the house can put you in an environment with less distractions. It could also be a chance to take part in exercise classes where you can be motivated by the camaraderie, as well as potentially meeting personal trainers to train with. Paying a gym membership can also serve as a monetary incentive to exercise. All in all, you have to be a lot more self-driven to exercise at home.
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