Ah, the age-old question: Should you sign up for that gym membership, or should you save your money and invest in a home gym? Let’s see where YOU’RE better suited to sweat it out!
Don't forget to add yoga exercises in your routine as well. Yoga is great for stretching those stiff muscles. Try Hatha and Yin Yoga.
Get a yoga Class at Bhavana Yoga Studio
1.) Cost-wise
When it comes to cost, the gym membership wins hands down. Whether you take a monthly membership (usually worth it when you work out twice a week) or pay a walk-in fee once a week, it’s a bargain considering the gym has all the equipment and trainers you’ll need.
But if you’d like to save money in the long-term, then the home gym may be your best bet. To be sure, do the math and see. What pieces of equipment do you absolutely need to have in your gym? How much do they cost? How many years’ worth of gym subscription does that amount to?
2.) Privacy-wise
There is little to no privacy in gyms, which can make it awkward for beginners to work out amidst people who look like UFC fighters. And if you don’t like showering in the same room with other people, then the gym is probably not for you.
If privacy is your main goal, then a home gym is your obvious bet. No waiting lines, no creepy stares, no annoying talkative people who make you take off your headphones while at the treadmill.
Your social life might take a hit, but you have the remaining 22 hours of the day to worry about that!
3.) Motivation-wise
Are you self-motivated? Do you have absolutely no problem getting yourself out of bed and straight into your sweatpants? If your answers to these questions are “yes,” then the home gym is definitely the best choice for you.
But if you lack motivation, the gym subscription’s the way to go. Simply paying a membership fee compels you to get up and go, otherwise you’ll be wasting money. And if you make friends at the gym, you just might feel more encouraged to reach your goals as they reach theirs.
The Bottom Line
If you’re self-motivated, and if you’re looking to save money on the long-term, then it’s a good idea to start building your home gym. Otherwise, if you don’t mind setting aside a small chunk of your monthly paycheck for the gym subscription, it’s the gym for you.
But why choose between the two? Why not use both? Start with a “lite” gym subscription first, just to get into the fitness habit. Then, as you get more self-motivated and you learn which exercises work best for you, you can start building your own home gym slowly on the side.
Or not. I might be wrong. What do you think? Weigh in on the “home gym vs gym subscription” debate in the comment box below!