Home gym vs Gym membership

Home gym vs gym membership - which one is the best?

Anyone who has access to a home advertising channel has at some point invested in a home exercise equipment, even if it's just dumbells. Exercising at home does make sense - until your equipment gathers dust from non-use, that is.

It just proves that the choice between a home gym and investing in a gym membership is not always a cut and dry one.  A lot of considerations must be made.

Home Gym vs Membership: What should you consider before choosing either of the two?

Gym membership sales consultants can be enticing, as well as the sales personnel at your nearest fitness equipment shop.  It all boils down to your personal circumstances though:

1. Schedule - whether you choose home exercise equipment or join a gym may depend on your availability and schedule. A single parent who is 30 minutes to 1-hour 's(or more) drive from the place of their employment may be shooting themselves in the foot when they sign up for a gym membership. Buying a piece of fitness equipment (or DVDs) may be less stressful.  I used to take 20 minutes every morning to exercise on my stepper.  It was my "alone" time, and also a way to meet my fitness goals.
2. Budget - buying home fitness equipment requires an upfront investment, whereas most gym contracts can be paid on a monthly basis.  It may seem easier at first to signup for the contract since the first month may seem easy on the pocket.
3. Level of dedication and motives - your motives and dedication to them will determine whether you should exercise at home or at the gym.  If your intentions are to have access to professionals, and specialized equipment - then the home gym vs gym membership question becomes moot.  For the common person, such help will only be available at the gym. I exercise at home to keep fit and lose weight, therefore I do not need much assistance the same way an aspiring bodybuilder or an athlete does.

It's also unnecessary to fit a whole gym in your home.  I own a set of dumbbells, some aerobics videos, a set of kettlebells, and my main home exercise equipment is an elliptical trainer.  These do not take up much space.  They definitely do not occupy a dedicated space or room in the house.

The key is to buy fitness equipment that suits your needs, and only add once you've mastered it. It is tempting to jump for the next shiny object in the home fitness market, but it helps to remember your "why" before considering collecting the equipment. 

Home exercise equipment can and does end up gathering dust in the home.  Check out the Listings/Marketplace pages on social media if you do not believe it.

Buying home fitness gadgets does not mean that you cannot have access to professional help either. You can buy your spin bike, and attend a class or two at the gym just to learn how to use it efficiently.  I've done that in the past.

There are also Youtube videos now that can help you reach your fitness goals using your home equipment.

It is also crucial to remember that a gym membership is not a guarantee of fitness. 

We all know that person who continues to financially honor their gym contracts, but rarely sets foot there (ahem...ourselves😃😃😃).  Ellen Degeneres explains it well why we invest in fitness goodies but never use them (lol)

So...

Home Gym vs Gym Membership?......

It depends on your circumstances and goals.  That is the short and long of it all.  Whatever you choose, I wish you well on your fitness goals!