In terms of improving health and fitness, exercising at home would be more advantageous than at a gym particularly if you have some exercise equipment such as a squat/power rack and some sets of free weights at your place. Even those who don’t have such equipment can still invest a little money and build an amazing home-gym space.
It’s true that a gym offers access to a variety of equipment, from free weights to weight machines. However, as I mentioned above, as long as you want to improve your health and fitness, not working out for a competitive purpose, you don’t need to use or have access to a variety of sports equipment. There is no need for such complexity, indeed. A good movement and fitness coach is aware of this fact.
I coach my clients at both home and the gym. However, I find no difference in their results whether they exercise at home or in a gym. Indeed, except for a squat rack, a bench, some free weights and some machines such as an air bike, I barely use any other equipment neither for myself nor for clients.
If one is a bit cautious enough and has some basic understanding of exercise and movements, one’s own body weight is a great tool to use as a sports facility in whole life. It’s free and always available, isn’t it?
Some people think that both can be effective, depending on personal preference and what kind of results one wants to see. For example, for those who are interested in gaining muscle mass in a way to impress themselves and others or building muscle for so-called competitive purposes, home workouts are not enough and they definitely prefer working out at a fitness centre.
Gym Workouts: Pros and Cons
Working out in a gym would be a good choice for certain people, but not for the majority. And the one who is reading this post right now is probably one of the majority.
Some people think that gym workouts are also typically more social than working out at home. There are often classes, trainers, and other gym goers to help and support you. But, generally speaking, I don’t think so. And to go into that to find out why is beyond the scope of this post.
Gym workouts can also be costly especially if you’re joining a high-end gym. Fitness centres can often be crowded and noisy, which can be a distraction and reduce the effectiveness of your workout. Additionally, you might have to deal with long waits for certain machines or areas of the fitness centre.
Home Workouts: Pros and Cons
Exercising at home has many advantages. It’s an easy, convenient way to get in shape without having to leave the house. It’s also a great way to save time and money, as you won’t have to worry about commuting to a gym and can work out in your own place.
With the right knowledge and understanding, you can follow an effective and safe training routine at home.
Since some gyms in houses and condominiums are not fully equipped with sports facilities, some people [only some people] may not find exercising at home very effective. And this can be the only cons I see as a coach. However, for example, for a person who enjoys Olympic lifting, as I do sometimes, even most commercial gyms don’t have the essential and right equipment for such lifts. An Olympic lifter is totally aware of this fact.
And yes, for improving some sports-specific goals, one needs a sports-specific gym, but that centre is not optimal for the general population. Only those who look for certain results can get the most out of it, but not people like you and me who want to improve health, performance and body composition.
The Bottom Line
Overall, gym workouts can be an effective and enjoyable way to stay fit. But make sure you weigh the pros and cons carefully before committing to a gym membership.
A gym membership can be expensive, and it isn’t necessarily always a time-saver. Home workouts, on the other hand, can be a great option if you’re on a budget or have limited time. You don’t need to purchase any equipment, and you can do your workouts anytime and anywhere. You can also tailor your routine to fit your goals and lifestyle. So whether you decide to go to the gym or work out at home, the important thing is to find an exercise routine that works best for you.
I think we don’t need such large places called “fitness centres or gyms” for being healthy and/or improving health and performance. Indeed, there are many other similar things that, indeed, don’t have any value in the real sense, but we think of them as something valuable in life. And it’s because of a lack of understanding of the absolute truth of ourselves.
As I mentioned above, working out in a fitness centre would be a great choice only for certain people, but not for the majority and you might be one of the majority.
If you are one of them, there are many options for you to follow a proper exercise and health coaching program even at a lower cost and more comprehensive. I don’t intend to promote what we do at Bring You Health, I do mean it genuinely, but we do offer such comprehensive exercise and health coaching programs as online coaching worldwide and in-person home personal coaching in Bangkok.
