Are At-Home Workouts REALLY As Effective As The Gym?

We really enjoy home workouts! But are they as effective as going to the gym? You might be surprised! Here’s why:

Convenience

The best thing about working out at home is that it is so convenient. You don’t have to leave your house and you can work out at any time you want. There’s no need to commute, prepare a gym bag or work out based on someone else’s schedule. 

Cost-Effective

It is very affordable to have a good workout at home. For example, you can use your own body weight or at most only need to purchase basic at-home workout equipment to still have a great sweat session! Working out from home also means that you don’t have to pay for a gym membership or fees for workout classes. Not to mention the travel costs to and from. In conclusion, you can save a lot of money by working out from home!

Privacy

While community is important for building healthy habits, sometimes you just want to work out alone! When you work out from home, you make the rules. You don’t have to wait for equipment, you can listen to your own music and there’s no one distracting or staring at you while you try to work out. Another benefit of training at home is that it eliminates gym intimidation. You can do what you want, and wear what you want, without having to worry about what others think. PS: you can still be part of a fitness community even in the privacy of your own home!

That being said, there are definitely some disadvantages to at home workouts. But these also come with solutions. Read on to find out what they are:

Limited Space

While it is possible to have a good workout at home, this might be more challenging if you don't have a lot of room to exercise. 

Solution: If you can, allocate a specific place in your home as your “workout area” and use it only for physical activity. Or turn your living room or any clutter-free area into a multipurpose space. When the weather permits, you can always take your workout outdoors! Parks, beaches, forests and staircases are all great options when you don’t have much room in your home for workouts.

Wrong Technique

It is harder to learn the proper form and technique of exercises when you are working out from home because you won’t have a trainer coaching you. This is especially true if you are a beginner or learning a movement for the first time.

Solution: Watching workout demos or doing follow-along videos are a great way to learn movements. You can also stand in front of a mirror or record yourself while doing a rep to make sure your form is right. 

Easy Excuses

When you work out at a gym there’s not much else to do besides exercise. However, at home, you are more likely to get distracted or find a reason not to work out. The financial commitment that comes with a gym membership is also a good motivator to get some people active. On the other hand, at home, there are no consequences for skipping a workout. 

Solution: Staying organized and planning ahead for workouts will make it more likely that you will actually follow through with your workout. Begin each month by planning a workout calendar to stay consistent!

Working out at home removes a lot of barriers and makes physical activity more accessible. But at the end of the day, what matters most is what works best for you and your goals. Whether it’s in your living room or a local gym, you should choose a place to train that helps you stay consistent. Let us know where your favourite place to work out is in the comments below!

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