It used to be that people serious about their health and fitness goals would seek out the professional trainers and join a gym. Now this is beginning to change however with more and more people investing in home gyms as well as the fact that there is a wealth of information out there on the internet in regards to fitness. Whether you decide to join a gym or invest in some equipment at home, both have their positives and negatives attached and ultimately it’s a personal decision but we’re here to point out some of the pros and cons and help you decide the best way to achieve your fitness goals!

One of the biggest advantages to a home gym is convenience. Depending on where you live, your nearest gym could be a walk, a bike ride or a car or bus journey away. This can add significant time and expense onto your gym membership through petrol and actually getting to the gym. The convenience of a home gym is exactly that, it’s at home. You can work out when you want without the pain of opening hours or travelling to the gym and back. If you work odd shift patterns committing to a gym can be difficult although there are an increasing number of 24 hour gyms now available. Some people may also be slightly self conscious and prefer to work out in privacy, especially if they are new to the gym or are slightly overweight.

You’re much more likely to stick to a fitness plan if it’s convenient for you and many people find a home gym more convenient than a public gym. Winter is now approaching and it can be hard to find motivation to leave the house if it’s cold, wet and windy outside. The initial investment may be greater for a home gym, but could save you money in the long run as many gyms make their money from people losing interest but forgetting to cancel their memberships. You’ll also have the gym and equipment to yourself at home so no waiting for machines to be free which is a common problem at many commercial gyms, especially at peak times.

Getting fit and healthy is a lifestyle choice and about more than just exercising. Having a gym at home can add to this lifestyle and make you more committed to a strict diet plan involving the correct amount of carbs, protein, vegetables and dietary supplements such as Burnoff for weight loss or glucosamine for joint care. Going to the gym is a great start, but it’s not so good when you reward yourself with a takeaway or syrup filled coffee on the way home. Having a home gym can take some of the temptation away and persuade you to pick up the protein shake instead of the pint.

Home gyms are not without their issues however. As said, the initial investment in a home gym can be costly and not everyone can afford this, especially if you lose interest or get an injury within a few weeks of working out. You can also be more easily distracted at home due to other people in your house, the dog and cat fighting, or the TV and sofa calling you. Sometimes part of the reason people go to the gym is the social aspect and meeting new, likeminded people or joining in on the group exercise which can be motivation in itself and this is lacking in a home gym. Exercise equipment can also take up a lot of space and if your house or flat isn’t that spacious, you can soon find yourself running out of room due to the treadmill in the middle of the living room. As well as this, weights and exercise equipment can be dangerous, especially if you are just starting out on a fitness regime and are unsure of correct weight or form for lifting. At the gym there are trained professionals who can show you how machines work, calculate your maximum weight and show you how to properly lift to avoid injury and exercise safely. Finally, home gyms can give you the option for an easy workout. No-one is watching and it can be easy to slacken off or not push yourself as hard as you would do in the gym environment.

There are positives and negatives to both home gyms and public gyms and in the end, all exercise is good exercise it just depends what motivates you. Some people prefer to work out in the privacy of their own home, other prefer the group environment where they can draw motivation and energy from. Living a healthy lifestyle is about more than just exercise however, and as said, involves diet, lifestyle choices and dietary supplements for overall health both inside and out. Find what motivates you, stick to a diet and workout program and before you know it you’ll be achieving your fitness goals, living a healthy, happy lifestyle!