A new fad is to have a home gym!
As having a home gym has many benefits, it has become a dream of fitness enthusiasts everywhere.
Because you may exercise whenever you choose in the comfort of your own home, home gyms are more practical than gym memberships.
Additionally, a home gym can be seen as a one-time investment that can last a lifetime, unlike monthly gym membership fees, which can be extremely costly at some facilities!
On the other hand, a home gym can be challenging for novices and complicated.
For the activities, having the appropriate tools and using the right techniques is crucial. If you’re a newbie, it’s not advised to set up a home gym without the right supervision.
As someone who has experience in both choices, I will share everything there is to know about these options and help you figure out if you should set up a home gym or get a gym membership.
Let’s begin by knowing about the pros and cons of setting up a home gym.
Pros & cons of a Home Gym
Maintaining your fitness has a cost; it’s not free.
Whether you want to use your home gym or a gym membership, both options need money.
I have compiled the advantages and disadvantages of both to assist you in making your choice.
Pros of setting up a Home Gym
- Save Money on Membership Costs
- Save Money on Gas, Car, etc.
- Available 24/7
- Choose the right equipment for your goals
- No waiting around for equipment
- Absolute concentration with no chitter chatter
1. Save Money on Membership Costs
This is most likely the main justification for switching to a home gym instead of keeping a gym membership.
After analyzing the prices of 16 popular U.S. gym chains, RunRepeat has come to the conclusion that the average monthly cost of gym membership in 2021 is $37.71.
Although it may not seem like much, that amount adds up to around $452 in only one year, which can be used to purchase a really fine Olympic barbell.
You won’t have to pay the monthly membership cost that a commercial club would have required of you if you have a home gym. Invest in good gym equipment to eventually save money!
2. Save money on Gas, Clothes, and Car Maintenance
Having a home gym also offers additional benefits which may not seem significant at first glance, but they add up over time.
A perfect example is a gas. Traveling from your home to the gym five days a week requires 100 minutes (almost two hours) of driving, even though your commercial gym is only a 10-minute drive from your house.
That requires a significant amount of travel time in addition to gas.
3. Available 24/7
Your home gym is available and accessible around-the-clock. You won’t be limited to a particular time period by it.
Nothing compares to the appeal of having a private gym that is always open and allows you to work out whenever you like for however long you like.
4. Best equipment for your fitness goals
Having a home gym enables you to have custom equipment specific to your needs and goals, regardless of your interest in powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, CrossFit, strongman competitions, bodybuilding, or anything else.
A gym can be built entirely of free weights, such as barbells, dumbbells, weight plates, and kettlebells, or it can be filled with compact exercise gear, including adjustable dumbbells, resistance bands, or adjustable kettlebells.
3. No more waiting for a station to open up
You no longer have to wait for a certain item or piece of equipment to open up. You never have to awkwardly stand behind someone who is using the equipment to finish their set.
4. Absolute Focus and no small talk
You could find it challenging to stay on task because your pals might easily divert your attention.
If you get side-tracked by talking to your pals in the gym, you typically wind up wasting hours there. Making an effort to visit the gym becomes meaningless in such a situation.
Cons of Home Gym
- No Personal Trainer
- No rivalry to drive you to work more
- Expensive
- Diversions
1. No Personal Trainer
In order for training to become a rewarding experience, a human touch is essential at gyms and sporting venues.
You must employ a real professional trainer if you want instruction but doing so would again tie you to a certain time frame and additional cost.
2. No Competition
Without good rivalry to motivate you, even while you might prefer to make progress at your own pace, you could miss the fun of a friendly fitness competition with your gym buddies.
If there are no difficulties, even the best programmers of goblet squat can’t keep up a competition lift and won’t push themselves over their previous limits.
3. Costly
Another negative of a home gym is the initial expense of putting up your personal home gym, which is often a one-time investment and can be quite heavy on your pocket.
4. Diversions
It’s simpler to talk about discipline than to practice it.
Because daily life can easily get in the way while exercising at home and a lot of individuals can be side-tracked. The kids are grabbing at your clothing, your refrigerator is nearby, and the TV and cozy sofa is calling your name.
According to me, a home gym’s advantages outweigh its drawbacks.
We should absolutely think about buying home gym equipment and keep working toward our fitness objectives while social distancing limits are in place.
Pros & cons of a Commercial Gym
Pros of a Commercial Gym
1. Different types of equipment
A gym provides you with an advanced level of exercise equipment.
From benches, weight plates, and dumbbell sets to rowing machines and stationary bicycles, you are given access to everything you require to quick start your journey.
2. Discount on Memberships
If you manage to find out a gym that provides discounts on membership costs, you can lower your overall cost.
Many gym memberships are flexible with insurance packages and premium discounts which makes the membership affordable.
3. Professional trainers and experts
Fitness trainers and instructors can help and motivate you to train regularly.
If you are new at exercising then supervision from a fitness trainer might help you smoothen the process.
They will also provide you proper guidance over your nutrition take keeping in mind your personal goal and aspiration.
4. Social Connection
A commercial gym is the best place to work up a sweat and make new friends.
The workout gets more interesting, enjoyable, and stimulating. The regulated environment that gyms offer makes it possible to advance your education alongside your friends.
Cons of a Commercial Gym
1. Hard to cancel Gym Membership
It’s not easy to cancel your gym membership. Many gym charges unexpected fine and penalties for breaking the membership contract and canceling the membership of the gym.
2. Crowd at Gym
The gym might not be the best spot for you if you easily become overwhelmed when around a lot of people. Your total progress could be harmed because you won’t be able to focus entirely on your exercise or form.
3. Lack of Motivation
People easily lose the desire to work out; the list of justifications is endless: you’re too exhausted to drive, you don’t have any energy, you don’t have something to wear to the gym, etc.
A workout’s most difficult aspect is getting to the gym.
Once there, you are compelled to work out; however, the commute to the gym from your home is when motivation might wane and can result in you skipping an entire workout.
Home Gym Vs Gym Membership: Cost management
About $2500 can get you a good home gym with high-end equipment.
But you can also get a home gym for as little as $500 to $1500 if you only buy the equipment you need for your goals and how complex you want the gym to be.
When you compare a home gym to a gym membership, the cost can range from $30 to $150 per month, depending on the type of gym you choose. Even so, your costs can go up from $360 to $1800 per year.
Initial Cost (One time Cost) – In order to set up a Home Gym, You need to set up a room which increases the initial cost but it is also a one-time investment.
| Setup | Minimum Cost (In Dollars) | Maximum Cost (In Dollars) |
| Flooring | 750 | 3800 |
| Electric Wiring | 150 | 150 |
| Lighting | 150 | 800 |
| Mirror Hanging | 150 | 460 |
| TV Installation | 170 | 380 |
| Air Circulation | 140 | 5000 |
| Equipment | 50 | 5000 |
Best alternatives for Home Gym
The best alternative for Home Gym is a Mini Gym. A mini gym is a gym where you can do simple exercises in your existing room. It costs between $130 and $450.
Your Mini gym can consist of –
- Yoga Mat ($10 to $50)
- Exercise bike ($100 – $300)
- Dumbbells ($20 – $100)
The cost of your Home Gym will entirely depend upon the type of equipment you buy and the company you buy it from.
- Kettlebell: $20-$100
- Bench press: $300-$900
- Power rack: $200-$700
- Exercise bike: $100-$900
- Treadmill: $400-$1,600
- Elliptical: $350-$3,000
- Rowing machine: $600-$1,200
- Resistance training system: $350-$600
Cost Analysis (Monthly as well as Yearly basis)
- An elaborative Home gym would cost you around $2500
- A Mini Gym would cost you around $150.
- A basic Gym Membership would cost you around $20 a month which adds up to $1200 on a yearly basis
- A Premium Gym Membership would cost you around $150 a month which adds up to $1800 yearly
Conclusion – In the long run, say 5 years, the simple setup could save you $500, while the more complicated setup could save you around $3,500.
Is it worth it to have a home gym?
You may still be debating whether a home gym is worthwhile after considering the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the constraints like cost and available space.
Overall, constructing the ideal home gym for you is definitely worth the effort and investment you’ll make.
It’s an investment in your overall health and fitness. To the correct buyers, it may even improve your home’s potential value in some circumstances, if not its actual market value.
A home gym will not only keep you in shape just as well as a commercial gym, but it may even be more beneficial. Exercise more frequently by taking advantage of faster workouts, convenience, and the drive to use equipment you’ve spent a lot of money on.
Understand that the term “home gym” is quite vague.
It could involve having a completely dedicated area, like a garage, filled with a variety of equipment, or it could be as simple as having a yoga mat and some free weights in your spare bedroom.
This implies that you can design a gym to match your unique needs. Do not think that spending a lot of money is necessary to make things happen.
Finally, don’t be hesitant to personalize your gym.
The fact that your friend has a full rack of weights does not exclude you from choosing adjustable dumbbells in order to conserve space.
Conclusion: Home Gym Vs Gym Membership: Which Is A Better Choice?
Although home gyms are expensive to set up and take up rooms, there are variations that are both space-saving and inexpensive, making them accessible to almost everyone.
Long-term gym membership savings and healthcare improvement are two reasons why home gyms are a terrific investment.
Is it cheaper to workout at gym or at home?
It is cheaper to work out at home when you have a long-term goal. But it totally depends upon the kind of required equipment you would need for your goal and the kind of body you aspire to have at the end of your journey.
Is Gym membership better than a home workout?
Yes, your workout will be just as effective if you follow the same safety precautions and maintain the same level of intensity that you would in a gym.
The true secret is to keep your form and discipline yourself to work as hard as you would if someone were watching.
Home workouts might occasionally foster laziness since some of us become more competitive or conscious of our form and technique when other people are there.
