Working out at home vs in the gym: what’s better?

When the pandemic shut down commercial gyms, many of us turned to YouTube and our garage for home workouts. Now that things are opening back up, are you staying at home for your workouts or returning to the gym? Let’s see which location is best for what purposes so you can make the decision for yourself. 

Benefits of working out at home

At home, starting your workout couldn’t be easier — with no special prep and commute time (not to mention parking if you live in a busy area), all you need to do is show up. You can exercise in the same sweatpants you slept in and no one will notice. Plus, with a home gym, there are really no excuses — it’s right in your house so you can skip fewer workouts and create a consistent routine. It’s easier to show up consistently and build a habit of staying fit.

Benefits of working out in the gym

While working out at home is less commitment, going to the gym creates structure. You are going to a dedicated space (that you are also paying for!) with fewer distractions. It’s often easier for people to focus on their workouts in the gym, without pets or kids around. Surrounded by like-minded people can motivate you to push yourself and you can even meet new friends in the gym! Working out at home can be great for introverted folks but it can get lonely and you might give up on your set sooner with no one to urge you on. At the gym, you may put more effort into your exercising, gym outfit, and prep by bringing a protein shake or a big water bottle, which are easy to skip at home.

Gyms often have classes like spin or body pump too so you can try something totally new and different which might be difficult in your house, with more limited equipment.

Working out at home vs in the gym

When choosing where to workout, consider your fitness routine and what exercises you will be doing — do you need special machines and equipment at a commercial gym you may not have in your home? Do you enjoy the mirrors and being able to check out your form and technique easily? 

If you have a routine with dumbbells, you can definitely do that in your garage or basement gym, or even outdoors, no gym membership is needed. But if you’re used to a squat rack, a row machine, and an elliptical, it may be best to head to the gym and not crowd your house with these large machines. It’s a personal choice. With the choice of professional gym equipment available for home use on the market today, you can absolutely design the home gym of your dreams!