There is always a long-standing debate about where is the best place to work out, home or gym. It’s not an easy question to answer because it will depend on so many factors and your preference when you work out. Do you want to achieve more weights? Do you want the comfort? Do you need motivation? Or simply the convenience? It would all depend on what you want.
But if you’re still wondering which one is better than the other, if there even is, check out the pros of both types of work out places:
Pros of home workouts
Cost
If you are on a budget, then exercising at home is definitely your best bet. You can just download workout apps or stream workout sites and you can have the adrenaline and body goals you want. Of course, that can only happen if you do them regularly. Home workouts are also a good option for newbies who want to gather enough knowledge first before they step into the gym. If you’re planning, however, to do it long-term, make sure you invest in some equipment like weights and resistance bands, or if you’re being ambitious, a treadmill.
Comfort
When you exercise at home, you won’t feel intimidated and uncomfortable once you are met with prying eyes at the gym. And while you’ll definitely get past that phase, it’s also no secret that working out at home provides the utmost comfort and security you want. So, if you’re still self-conscious about yourself, then start working out at home first. If you’re confident enough about working out on a whole new level, then you can head to the gym.
Scheduling
A lot of busy people find it hard to squeeze gym workout into their schedule—especially if there is none near your place. The traffic and the travel time can take a toll on you and before you even get started, you’re already exhausted. In this case, home workouts can be the easier choice. At least when you get home, you can just change into your workout clothes and start pumping. You can also do it when you wake up or before you leave. Scheduling your workouts becomes a piece of cake, and exercising in general can even become a friendly lifestyle when you choose to do it at home.
Pros of gym workouts
Equipment
For the hardcore gym members, or even the newbies aspiring to learn more, a gym is a better choice because it is replete with equipment—from functional fitness like kettlebells and medicine balls; to weightlifting like barbells, dumbbells, and plates; to cardio fitness like treadmills and rowing machines. If a complete set of equipment drives you into working out more, then you should choose to exercise in a gym.
Camaraderie
Once you get past the intimidation from your fellow gym goers, you will find that a lot of them are actually friendly and helpful, and can even inspire you into working out more. And if you haven’t made any friends yet, you can start with your coach—he/she will definitely know the rights things to say and do to make you feel comfortable and welcome. Soon enough, you’ll find others like you who can support and motivate you in the gym.
Motivation
Physical activity should not be a trend, it should be a lifestyle. If you want to see great results in terms of physique and strength, then you need to make it a habit and not just a hobby. But it’s not easy to get motivated especially when there are other easier and more fun things to do instead of sweating out. If you’re not careful and driven enough, then you’ll easily lose motivation to work out. But in the gym, motivation gets easily harvested once you see others working out really hard, or once your coach pushes you to do one more set. That challenging yet fulfilling feeling—it’s something you’ll easily get once you go to the gym.
