Fitness Courses at the Gym vs Workout Programs from Home

So what's the better choice? Taking at fitness class at the gym or following a workout program from home? Even after making the decision to go strong at working out, it may still be confusing as to what is the best decision for you, especially in these uncertain times.

Do you invest in building a home gym or do you pay the recurring membership fee to go to the gym?

Now both choices will ultimately get you where you want to be. But it all depends on your motivation. You need to ask yourself that question and answer honestly as to what is your motivation.

Whichever you decide to choose, you need to make sure that the environment is motivating enough, that it properly fits your needs, personality, and obviously budget. This is essential for you to stay on track and disciplined with your workout program.

There are advantages and downsides to exercising in either place. So, let's take a look at some Pros and Cons of choosing to workout at a gym or in your home. These will definitely help you clarify what the best decision is for you.

Pros of taking classes at the gym

1. Inspiration

When you're working out at the gym you feed off other people's energy and motivation as well as that competitive vibe. You also feel like you're not in this alone and that helps drive your motivation.

Moreover, when you have skin in the game and pay a good amount for your membership, you tend to stick to going so that you can get a return on your investment.

2. Power

When your in the gym and everyone is powering through their workouts, that usually helps give you that extra boost to bring your 100%. You don't want to be looked at like the weak or lazy one, so you tend to run faster on the treadmill or give a few extra reps when pushing the weights.

3. Variety as well as choices

There are a great deal of choices waiting for you at the gym and it's nice to have options like the treadmill, stair climber, stationary bicycle, the elliptical machine, the rowing device or any other machine that will inspire you on that given day. This can make your workout a lot more effective and pleasant since you have options to choose from.

For example, you can find various machines, free weights, bands, cables and a variety of other equipment. Some fitness centers also have a tennis courts, Jacuzzis, pools, as well as other services and facilities that can be cool to benefit from.

4. Concentration

When you're at the gym, there are no kids to sidetrack you, no tasks to look at you and really nothing to make you loose your focus. You can remain concentrated the whole workout.

Cons of taking classes at the gym

1. Gym memberships can be costly

For some, the cost of taking a gym class can amount to a fortune. Adding the subscription fee, expenses for gas, cost of specialized courses, parking fees and other requirements can become quite expensive.

You may also want a personal instructor, which adds to the total price. This can be hard to swing particularly if you're on a budget.

2. Exposure to germs in the gym

A gym is a great place to work on your health and fitness, but there are risk that come with it as well. Just picture the previous person sweating on the machine you are now using and you don't know how healthy or sick that person is. Especially in times like today, where we are even more conscious about hygiene.

Although many people are mindful when it comes to cleaning the equipment after they are done, germs always find their way. Your gym bags filled with those sweaty clothes are also a great place to host and breed these bugs.

3. Not a lot of privacy

Having privacy in a gym is always challenging, especially in the cardio area where machines can be set up so closely that you end up sharing a lot of space with your neighbor.

Let us not forget the beginning of the year where everyone is pumped to put in place their new years resolutions and this results gyms being overcrowded and intimidating for people who seek some privacy when working-out.

Pros of working out in the house

1. Convenience

There are no limitation when you train in your home. You can literally train however you like, whenever you like and wherever you find a spot that's convenient. There is no cost for transport, parking and you don't need to carry a gym bag and use lockers. You can blast your own songs and even scream if you feel like it.

2. It is cheaper

You don't necessarily have to purchase sophisticated equipment to exercise. You can easily pull off a full-body workout without utilizing any type of equipment at all. A couple of resistance bands and a few other accessories can go a long way if you're on a budget. It is a liberating and empowering feeling knowing that you can get a great workout in, without needing to pay those monthly membership fees.

Cons of working out in the house.

1. You can give up at anytime

When you exercise in your home, no one is watching you. This comes with the risk of giving up or bailing on your workout all together. Not having anyone to inspire and motivate you can make it sometimes difficult to stay on track if your self-discipline is suffering.

Moreover, if you feel your workouts are ordinary and lack enthusiasm, you may be more open to pushing them back. This will obviously result in getting less workouts in per week and in turn slow your progress.

2. Boredom

Working out in the same setting day after day can get boring if you can't find ways to stimulate your interest. Also, the fact that there are no disturbances, people to grab your attention or a variety of machines to workout on, can make your workouts a bit monotonous. The truth is, we all need some stimulation or small distractions to keep us going, like the hot guy or hot girl we don't want to look weak in front of. 

3. Space

If the room you are working out in is small, that can be a demotivator. You don't have much space to put in larger equipment, not a lot of storage to store equipment and it could feel uncomfortable to sweat and breath heavy in a smaller pace. Keep in mind though, there are many ways you can get creative in a smaller room. 

Conclusion
The good news is that whether you workout from home or workout from the gym, your objectives can be met in both scenarios. Both options have their pros and cons and it's really up to you to evaluate which one is better for you. Consider your personal preferences, your budget, and your level of motivation. If you have the self-discipline and motivation, working out from home can be an amazing choice. Nevertheless, if you are prone to procrastination and lacking motivation at home, then maybe the gym is the best decision for you. Either way, make the right choice for you to stay active and incorporate exercise into your lifestyle as often as possible!