These Are The Pros And Cons Of Working Out At Home
While planning and making the decision to exercise is easy, the process gets complicated when it comes to actually have to do it.
Fitness has become quite the fashion trend for Americans in general. A lot of people either opt for walks to stay in shape or spend money on health-club memberships to break a sweat. But, which one is better? Exercising at home with your own gym equipment or joining a professional gym?
Of course, it is easier to join a gym. It’s also easy to pay for that membership that you probably will never use. Unfortunately, I’ve been there and done that.
But it is also easy (if not easier) to set up a home gym and the easiest to find hundreds of distractions that keep you from working out. Such distractions might be laundry, dishes, playing Candy Crush and the list goes on.
Whatever you decide, exercising from the comfort of your own home or going to the gym, you will have to follow through it. Part of that is working out in an environment that fits your needs and budget the most.
In case you really want to work out and stay in shape but can’t decide if working out at home is a good idea, let’s go through the pros and cons of it.
PRO – You don’t have to pay for it
You can work from the comfort of your own home for free. You don’t even need equipment to tone up your muscles. Think of planks, crunches, burpees, sit-ups and so many other exercises that are great for bodyweight exercise routine.
PRO – Easier access to ibuprofen
This is not actually a PRO per se, but this was the first thing I recalled doing when I mentioned burpees, crunches, and squats, so here we are.
PRO – NO DRESS CODE REQUIRED
Want to work out in the pajamas you’ve been wearing for 72 hours? Who are we to judge. Want to do yoga when you’re all naked before a shower? Go for it, girl. Luckily, there is no fashion police at your house, so you can wear whatever you want.
PRO – You can buy equipment that is half the cost of your gym membership
For less than $50 you can buy dumbells, resistance band, yoga mat, stability ball and other stuff for you to start working out from your house.
PRO – You can exercise as soon as you wake up
Yes, from sleeping like a polar bear to a plank position real quick. You don’t need to get dressed, get your bag and probably ride 30 minutes to get to the gym. If you have a 9 to 5 job, it’s much easier to find the time to work out at home, shower, have breakfast AND coffee, and still get to work in time with the biggest grin on your face. Unless you have a child.
PRO – Yourself is the only competition
Aside from that character on the DVD if you’re doing that, but you get the point. IF you’re determined and motivated to work out at home (which is kind of the whole goal), you won’t have other people working out that could possibly distract you. It’s only you vs. you.
PRO – No one is going to see you
Contrary to popular belief, it is okay if you’re not comfortable working out at the gym. You can be dripping in sweat looking like you just came out of a swimming pool and no one’s going to care. Not you, for sure. And not even your friends if you workout together.
CON – You are at home
And I know that this is the thing when you workout from home, but hear me out before you judge me. You’re at home and there is literally no one to cheer you to keep going. Plus, you won’t have proper guidance if you’re doing a certain workout right or prevent you from a possible injury.
CON – Lots of distractions
Yeah, you won’t have other people working out that might distract you, but home is where your phone, TV, food and everything else you enjoy are. Which, as a result, might take your mind away from exercising.
CON – Lack of variety
When you exercise all by yourself, chances of getting stuck in the same old routine of working out are high. You don’t have a fitness instructor to mix up different exercises and challenge your body in a way that you can’t.
CON – Lack of space
Yes, there are exercises that are suitable using bodyweight, and yes, there is gym equipment that cost less than $50, but, there are also exercises that require something you don’t have at your home. Plus, you might just not have the adequate space in your house to work out or set up a home gym.
CON – Motivation
When you’re working out by yourself, chances of you being motivated are high. Because, there is literally no one that could tell you to do one more set or rep, and you can quit at any time.
Exercising from your home is free and somewhat convenient for most of us, but you really have to ask yourself if it will work for you or not. In case you are motivated and you will exercise no matter what, then yes, working out at home is a good option. However, if working out at home seems like too distracting, you might want to get out of the house.
Whatever the case, don’t let your obstacles keep you from exercising. Either at home or the gym.
Do you work out at home or at the gym? Let us know in the comments below.
You might also want to read:
This Is What To Do If You Need Motivation To Work Out
A Few Exercising Health Benefits You Should Know
Why Are Early Morning Exercises Better?