Working out at home vs a gym, I've done both.

Preparation, Preparedness & Prevention Fitness and Nutrition
1

In my younger years I used to work out at a gym and really enjoyed it. Now I work out at home and love it too. I will list the reasons why I like both.

A gym has lots of advantages with many different pieces of equipment to excercise with. For instance you can have an upright bench press machine, weight benchs to include standard, incline, and decline, and olympic weight set, leverage bench press, which can also include standard, inclined, and declined. You will never get bored having all the strength training options that are out there.

A home gym has more restricted options but also benefits that are great. The equipment you have has to be able to handle several different excerises for different body parts. However you can work out any time you want, and the gym is always there with you. You want to work out at midnight ( I’ve done that one before but not for a long time now.) or get up at 0 dark 30 and and lift weights ( I have also done that one before but not for a long time as well.)

I used to belong to one of those 24 hour gyms that was close to my home, for years. Then I was layed off by the company I was working for and I had to make cut backs and the gym membership eventually came up on the chopping block. This made me realize that I did not want to have my fitness level tied to my employment situation. This was the main reason why I started planning on having a home gym.

Once I got another job I saved some money and bought an olympic weight bench, 300 pound olympic weight set, a set of dumbells from 10lbs to 50lbs, Iron Gym Pull up bar, and a heavy bag and speed bag with corresponding stand. For Cardio I use the heavy and speed bag and an excercise bike.

These are what I use in making progress towards my fitness goals and, while I do miss the gym a lot, I don’t miss the monthly fees and I like being able to work out whenever I want to without having to wait on equipment.

2

Mr Will Brink has to chime in here…

But, between a set of kettlebells, a chin-up bar, step, suspension straps, jump rope and a swiss ball, I think you are pretty much well equipped and have some overlap… That might cost you around $500 total, less with some ingenuity and DIY’ing.

Maybe, you have enough overhead clearance, a thick rope tied to the ceiling frame =]

3

I need to get some suspension straps I hang on the bar now and twists and leg raises. I do however like the design of the Iron Gym pull up bar.

4

l favor the home gym. Mines really simple. Dumbells, barbell, heavy bag. The best all around shape l was ever in l didnt use any equipment, just running and sparring with some swimming mixed in.

5

If you want to save some and have a modicum of DIY ability, google for DIY suspension straps.

Basically you’ll need some cargo straps, CPVC tubing, saw, file, sandpaper, a piece of rubber hose, 100MPH tape…

6

Is there a question in there some place? It’s all good if you’re pontificating on home/vs commercial gym, but wanted to make sure I was not missing a Q in there. :cool:

One issue with home gyms is, the person needs to be clear on what their specific goals are, then focus on the equipment that meets it. Ergo, you plan on hunting bear next year, you don’t get a sling shot, and so forth. A power rack is best $$$ spent if planning to handle heavy loads (80%RM +) focusing on primary multi joint movements If goal is say strength and or muscle mass, a power cage, an O bar, and a good collection of plates, and you are pretty much GTG.

If goal is more conditioning/GPP/endurance, things like TRX straps, O bar with some weights, and sand bags, chin bar, and a few other things and you’re GTG. Tip here, sand bags are the shit. You want true functional training using unbalanced loads, nothing beats sand bags. KBs, eh, OK, I use them for a few things, but there’s $$$ better spent, they aint all that and a bad O chips as claimed by some, and sand bags far better $$$ spent.

Set of sandbags*, TRX, chin bar, and you can create endless effective/productive workouts which takes up little room, easy to transport, and cost effective.

Finally, got the room and the $$$, own all of it, and mix up your program. Me, I have what’s listed for the conditioning/GPP/endurance set up above, with a few other things (treadmill, balance ball, few D bells, etc) and do my heavy lifting at the gym.

7

I am in late my 40’s and right now concentrating on building strength, I can lift my body weight of 190 for 5 reps and do that for 3 sets. I then lower the weight to 185 and do 5 reps for 3 sets. Inclines I use about 155lbs for 5 reps for 3 sets. I then go on todumbell presses both standard and incline for 5 reps for 3 sets each. I finish off with flys both standard and incline for 5 reps for 3 sets.

I do all of this in my upstairs weight room.

This has been my chest work out for about 6 months. Lasy year I was doing one rep max ever so often and was at about 250lbs when I start training cycle I am on now.

8

You’ve beeen using the same weight for the same reps for 6 months and don’t see a problem with that? You need a plan and some programming.

9

When I started out 4 months ago, I was lifting flat bench, 160 3 times for 5 sets, 145 for 5 times for 3 sets, and incline 145 5 times for 3 sets. So I increased by 30 pounds the weight I was able to lift on my bench. I can now bench 190 lb 3 times for 3 sets, and 185 lbs for 5 times at 3 sets both flat bench and inclines are now at 165 for 5 times for 3 sets.

10

I’m going down to the neglected corner of my basement to bldust off the para body cage and do some bench work.

11

It is a difficult division of what you want to do on what days.

I go to the gym because I do not want to buy a row-machine, basketball court or a ton of free weights. I work out at home because I do not want to hog space at the gym in one spot for hour plus and because treadmill running sucks and I rather run outside.

12

I am just getting started on my long journey. Growing up I was always a member a a gym no matter what. Fell off ALOT the last few years and decided it was time to make an effort. So far I have been working out at home and I think I like it it. I am also not trying to get big or anything like that…just trying to get limber and in shape. Working with a chinup bar (not going so well:D), dumbbells and bands. I also follow a little P90X and another ‘tape’ from time to time. After I get things stretched out a bit and drop 10 or 15 I’d like to make a go at a round of P90X. All in all I think working in the house is going to be the way to go—

13

Since I have the access to a gym I use it. If it was not the case I would have no problem working out at home. My wife got the P90X videos and her and I got in to them pretty heavy. I like the cross motivation of working out with my spouse, plus only good comes out of that. I prefer to go to the gym due to the light travel I have to do. Once I am at the gym I am dedicated and focused on the task at hand, at home not always the case. Just my opinion:)

14

I completely agree about the motivation part. 0500 is awful early sometimes.

15

“You don’t have to like it, you just have to do it” :smiley:

16

I hate working out at home, I can’t get in the right mindset for it.

17

I knew/know all manner of people with home gym equipment being used to dry clothes on and such… I generally recommend people do not get a home gym set up unless they are in the minority of people who can really stay motivated to train at home.

People need to get away from the TV, the phone, kids, etc, etc. I like havng an option to exercise at home when/if I can’t get to the gym, but would far prefer to go to the gym and use millions of dollars worth of great equipment for $40 per month, then training at home on what I have.

In my experience, training at home is not for everyone, and if experience over a few decades has shown me, not for most people in fact. When training at home, I adopt the “You don’t have to like it, you just have to do it” approach as listed above, but I prefer a nicely equipped gym any day personally.

18

I agree, the time i bought home gym equipment it was mostly use to hold worthless objects. I live out in the country where a nice run would be great, but i just can’t get myself to get out and do it. On the other hand i go to the gym 3-4 times a week, i love it when i’m there and really try to make the best out of it too. Cardio is not a problem and i can run on the boring old tredmill for endless periods of time. i know it doesn’t make the best of sense, but i seem to only be motivated when i have to drive my self to a place where i pay to get fit.

19

I find myself to be way too distracted at home. I am decent at self motivation, but there’s just too many distractions. Plus… The enormous cost of equipment vs. all the cool stuff at the gym…

20

I’m new here, but I train a bunch. I teach/train Gracie Jiu Jitsu and I also workout at a gym for my strength training. GJJ gives me a solid fighting base and the strength training helps me to maintain a competitive edge at work and on the mat.

I think a home gym is fine as long as you are setting goals to push yourself. For me, it is difficult to get motivated when I’m at home to workout because I can think of a ton of other things I could/should be doing.