Exercise routines can look different for everyone, and that’s okay. After all, the most important part of staying active is to support your overall health and well-being.
One of the most common questions among people searching for the best exercise regimen is whether they should construct a home gym area or join a local gym.
There are pros and cons to both, of course, and which scenario is right for you depends on your personal preferences. Below are a few aspects of each to consider when making your choice.
1. Motivation
It’s one thing to be motivated to prepare for a workout, and another thing to actually follow through with one. Consider what environments make you feel the most empowered to start and finish a workout.
With a home gym setup, you’re generally totally on your own. Some people prefer this kind of space, where they can turn the music up as loud as they want to and not worry about the opinions of others or sharing equipment. On the other hand, some people find it more motivating to workout with others around, as this can provide more of a group mentality and make you push harder.
2. Rules
Structure can be another big factor in determining what type of gym setting works best for you. In a home gym, you’re in charge. There are only the rules and expectations in place that you have set for yourself. In a shared gym, however, members have to follow the regulations of the facility.
For instance, there may be time limits set on how long you can use a piece of equipment or be in the building. During the pandemic, many gyms have also required that guests wear a mask while exercising. Not to mention, gyms also come with monthly membership fees that continue regardless of whether you choose to attend.
3. Distractions
Many of us have become accustomed to the many potential distractions while working from home rather than working in the office. This can make finishing a task take significantly longer than it otherwise would in a more focused setting.
A similar experience can be had with your gym setting. In a shared gym, you’re surrounded by others working out, and you generally have limited time to finish your regimen, which can be helpful. At home, there may be several distractions that prevent the quality of the workout you intended, like laundry, a pet, phone calls, or your children.
4. Variety
Usually, when you join a gym, the environment and equipment selections don’t change very much over time. However, you may not need more than what’s offered there if you have a fairly structured workout regimen with dumbbells, strength machines, and cardio equipment. Many people rely on consistency as part of their exercise routine.
On the other hand, designing your own gym at home allows you to have complete creative freedom. For instance, you might enjoy a few pieces of multifaceted equipment and weights, but also want to have a TV screen available for online workouts or a virtual fitness community. You can also choose to sell and upgrade your own equipment whenever you want to at your home gym.
5. Germs
Shared gyms are a high-risk area for germ sharing, just like other heavily used public places. While there are usually plenty of equipment cleaning supplies available, we all know that not everyone uses them like they’re supposed to.
At home, you’re not exposed to anyone’s germs but your own, which can help prevent illnesses from inhibiting your workout routine. Plus, during a pandemic, you don’t have to worry about your home gym shutting down for periods of time.
Which Gym is Best?
At the end of the day, finding ways to stay active doing things you enjoy is important for your well-being and quality of life. The important thing is to find the fitness routine you will do consistently. This will vary from person to person.
Whether you choose to invest in home gym equipment or a gym membership, or perhaps some combination of the two, you’ll reap numerous benefits for your health.
