The road to fitness can be full of challenges and distractions, and one needs to put in a lot of time and effort in order to get to the finish line. You have to eat healthy, sleep enough hours and you also need to actively work out if you wish to achieve the perfect balance of health and fitness.
When it comes to working out, there are two choices you can make – you can either hold your workout sessions in the comfort of your own home, or you can sign up for a gym membership and have a professional fitness trainer hat can help and guide you in your training. It is imperative that you make the correct choice, as the wrong one can quickly demotivate you and cause you to stray away from your health goals. In this article, we will discuss a few things that you should consider before making a decision on your workout options.
1. Budget Restraints
As with most choices adults make, money plays an important factor in whether you can work out at a gym or stay at home and do your own routines. Either way, you will be spending money, so be sure that you tally the possible costs and compare them with your actual budget.
If you plan to sign up at a gym, you need to understand how gym memberships work. Aside from the monthly membership fees that will be taken from your bank account, you will also need to prepare a budget for the initial joiner fees, personal trainer dues and other possible add-ons. While most gyms will tell you about all of the charges upfront, it would still be wiser do some research and ask a lot of questions before completing any transactions.
The same applies if you prefer to work out at home, you also need to do research on which equipment you will be needing for the specific fitness goals you have in mind. You will be the one to decide how much you are willing to spend on your personal equipment, so consider things like how long you intend to use it and how significant having the equipment will be on your routine. For example, if your goal is to strengthen your heart and lungs with cardio exercises, you need to know if purchasing a treadmill is better than a stationary bike, or if you can do without either by simply jogging in place. Your budget will dictate a good part of how your workout routine will look like, at the gym or in your home.
2. Effectivity and Safety
Gyms cost the way they do because the classes and exercises are being handled by actual professionals. While there are routines and exercises that you can follow at home simply by watching videos online, the more complex activities are better off done with an expert guiding the way. Planking, doing squats and jumping jacks are basic and effective exercises that you certainly try on your own, but compound exercises like barbell bench presses and deadlifts should only be done under professional supervision, for your own safety.
Having a real trainer to help you with your sessions can also yield better results, since he/she can help create a regimen to best suit your current fitness level, health and schedule. Your trainer can also teach you how to properly use equipment so that you can avoid injuries and also develop the correct form as you exercise. Advantages like these suit people who are beginners at the entire workout process, as opposed to those who are experienced already and are just coming back to get their bodies back to form. Consider these factors as well when deciding if you can handle the exercises independently or feel that you might do better with a watchful eye.
3. Comfort with the Environment
Not everyone can do well with a lot of people around. The gym is a public place, and if you are the sociable kind, having other people to share your experience with can help inspire and empower you into getting better results for yourself. However, if you’re the type who prefers to keep to yourself, the social environment at the gym can feel too crowded and overwhelming for you. You can get uncomfortable and be distracted by other people, which does not bode well for your own workout session. In cases like this, it might be better to workout at home, so you have more privacy and comfort exercising in a relaxed environment. It should be noted, though, that not all gyms nor homes share the stereotyped descriptions. As such, it is important that you find the environment that would best serve your interests.
Must Read: 5 Scientifically Proven Ways to Become Gym Motivated
4. Time is of the Essence
Time is another important factor in deciding between a gym membership and home workouts. Signing up at a good gym will not do you any good if your schedule doesn’t permit you to visit and actually work out. Make sure that whichever you choose, you can make the time to put in the work. If you sign up for a gym membership, make a tight schedule to keep visiting and exercising two or three times a week. If you choose to workout at home, commit at least an hour or two of your time in as many days to set a routine for yourself.
At the end of the day, working out at the gym or from home can give you the same results, as long as you give the necessary effort. When considering a gym membership you’ll be happy to know that there are gyms like Rec Xpress that you can joint which don’t require a contract to do so. It’s a good way to get a personal taste of the experience, from the guidance offered by the trainers to the feel of testing out the actual equipment. A few sessions should help you better decide if this is what you prefer or if you’d rather work out at home for your fitness needs.
