Bodybuilding requires a certain level of commitment and dedication. It’s not something you can achieve by maintaining a casual interest. Whether you work out at home or drop in routinely at a gym, where you train should be somewhere you look forward to being.
To stay focused and committed to your fitness goals, create that zone of zen where you look forward to being day in and day out. Here’s some of the things you should consider when you are deciding between a home gym or gym membership.
Costs – Which Is More Affordable?
The cost of a home gym or gym membership is the factor which is most likely to vary between people depending on their lifestyle and preferences. It’s the factor people are most concerned about but it’s not the same for everyone.
If you prefer a highly professional gym that really knows what they’re doing, you could end up easily spending several thousand dollars a year. If you splash out for a state of the art home gym, you can spend a fortune – there’s no cap on how much money can go into this.
On the other hand, you can also build a very basic yet highly efficient home gym by looking up classifieds, going to flea markets and finding used equipment. You’ll need a platform to protect the floor, a bench press, a power rack, barbells and weights.
Even if you build a home gym by being as frugal as possible, the first year of expenses will be higher than a year’s membership at a budget public gym. If you’re willing to let your wallet take the hit initially, you’ll save money in the years to come even as you add more equipment.
The Convenience of Having Your Own Gym
Even when you’re able to pull it off and create a gym-like environment for yourself at home, it really depends on what kind of person you are when it comes to how rewarding it will be. A lot of people with excellent home gyms forget to use them. Others who are more dedicated to getting or staying fit use the limited equipment they have to see very successful results.
If you remain appreciative of what you have and continue using it, having a home gym can be tremendously convenient. You can work out as often as you want, whenever you want. You can use your personal gym before work without having to plan according to when it opens. You’ll also save a ton of time driving from home and to work and you won’t have to use gym showers or gym lockers.
These little things that can make you avoid going to the gym will no longer be issues that keep you away.
The Cons of Having A Home Gym
The greatest con of having a home gym is growing to take it for granted. Once it’s there, it’s all too easy to make the mistake of congratulating yourself for taking the initiative to put it together. It’s like students who put their books out to study, end up wasting all their time yet feel like they did something academic because it’s the thought that counts.
It’s not the thought that counts. Muscles don’t grow themselves.
The Perks of Having a Gym Membership
The greatest perk of having a gym membership is the fact that it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to gather equipment of that much variety at home. You can try new things, change up your routine more often than you could at home and you won’t have to worry about equipment maintenance.
The psychology of having a gym membership is also something to factor in. Once you’re paying a monthly fee for something, it stings when it goes to waste. You feel obligated to use it and to show up.
Another big advantage is that when you do show up, it’s like going to a library and seeing people studying during exams versus sitting at home in your pajamas and getting relaxed and complacent.
When you see other people working hard on a regular basis, it’s a constant reminder that results take work and like everyone else, you have to be willing to put in the work to get them.
Why a Gym Membership Doesn’t Work For Everyone
While going to the gym can be a source of motivation for some people, it can have the total opposite effect on others. Gym anxiety is a real thing, especially for those who are starting out on their fitness journey and don’t feel comfortable working out in the midst of those who seem to already be there.
That’s why a lot of people who want to lose weight, to train and to increase their strength end up never doing much about it – because they don’t want to be judged.
Even people who are already fit sometimes prefer home gyms to gym membership because let’s face it – there can be annoying people working out. Grunting, leaving equipment stained with sweat, music you don’t enjoy.
You need to be comfortable among other people and other people’s preferences to get the most out of your gym. If you like things a certain way and according to your own preferences, a gym membership is never going to be preferable over your personal gym.
The Pros And Cons of Having a Trainer
Let’s not forget one aspect of having a gym membership that you can’t create at home – the personal trainers. If you know what you’re doing, you don’t need to worry about not having a trainer. Even if you do know what you’re doing, it can sometimes help to have one, especially if you are an athlete, want to be an athlete or are training for something specific in mind.
On the other hand, you may not want to pay all the extra fees that come with having a trainer at a gym.
Making a Decision
In an ideal world, you would have a gym membership at the best possible gym and you’d have your own state of the art gym in your penthouse. In the real world, you may have to stick to one.
Think about whether it is economically feasible to build your own gym and whether the money and effort is worth the advantages you’ll get. Remember that if you have a home gym, you can always pop in at a public gym and just pay a fee for the day.
So which option do you prefer?
Original Source: Home Gym or Gym Membership – What’s Your Best Option?
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