gym workout · home fitness · home workout · home workout routine · Aug 31, 2022

Gym vs Home Workout: Which Is The Best For You?

by Priya Samuel

Gym vs home workout. Which one should I choose?

If this is the question that’s been on your mind lately, then we’re here to answer you!

In this article, we’ll cover

Do home workouts really work?
The pros and cons of gym vs home workout
Gym or Home Workout: How do I choose?
Sample home workout routines for cardio and strength training

Ready? Here we go!

Are home workouts as effective as working out in the gym?

Do home workouts really work? Is a home gym effective? Can I get results by working out at home?

Absolutely!

Home workouts can be as effective as working out in the gym as long as you have a plan and the discipline and necessary equipment to follow through.

Whatever be your fitness goal – weight loss, improving cardiovascular endurance, building muscle strength, or body toning – home workouts can give you RESULTS!

Here’s how you can get home workout results.

By using the best equipment that you ever have – Your own BODY! Think burpees, lunges, squats, planks, and more!
By using a few basic fitness accessories including jump ropes, resistance bands, dumbbells, Yoga mats, and Yoga blocks.
By setting up a home gym with the above-mentioned accessories plus other equipment including a bench press, or a pull-up bar.

Just remember the FIIT principle to make your home workout as effective as working out in the gym.

Frequency – how often you exercise
Intensity – how difficult your exercise is
Time – the duration of each exercise
Type – the type of workout

It is important that you progress and increase the frequency, intensity, and time of your workouts and also vary the type of workouts, to reach your fitness goals.

So you could be doing mobility exercises one day, HIIT another, and strength training the next. This will ensure that your body gets the most out of your workout.

Now if you still think that a home workout can’t be as effective as using fancy gym equipment, think again!

Here are a few at-home alternatives for some popular gym machines /exercises.

Gym vs home workout: Pros and cons at a glance

Pros of home workouts

1. Time-saving

When you’re working out at home vs gym, you don’t have to waste time dressing up, rushing to the gym, and so on.

Just select a corner of your home, pick out a few basic exercise equipment perhaps, and you’re good to go!

2. Convenient

Gym vs home workout with respect to convenience? Home workouts are the clear winner!

Work out after you wake up or when your kids are at school. Work out on your terrace or in your living room. The choice is YOURS!

3. Economical

All you need for a home workout are a few inexpensive tools such as jump ropes, yoga mats, and resistance bands and you can get your cardio, strength training, and stretching sessions sorted.

4. Variety

If you love mixing things up, then nothing can beat working out at home. You could stream live fitness classes, download fitness apps, try exergames, and many more!

5. Privacy

Work out in your underwear. Not worry about hairy legs 😉

What’s not to love about working out in the privacy of your home, eh?

Cons of home workouts

1. Unnecessary distractions

When you’re working out at home vs gym, it’s easy to get caught up with distractions including checking your office email, doing household chores, etc., and skip out on your workout. So unless you’re high on self-motivation, home workouts might not be your best bet.

2. Limited space and equipment

Space and equipment are important considerations when deciding between gym vs home workout. If you can’t work out at home without bumping into your furniture or you miss those stair masters and ellipticals, head to the gym.

3. Boredom

If you love a bit of friendly competition, then working out at home could get pretty boring. After all, it’s always thrilling to run faster than the guy on the next treadmill, right?

4. Lack of guidance

Unlike at the gym, you don’t have anyone to stir you up to finish that last rep, track your progress, or correct your form. It’s all on you.

Pros of working out at the gym

1. Variety of equipment

One main factor when it comes to gym vs home workout is variety. From treadmills and stationary bikes to dumbbells and rowing machines, gyms have no dearth of variety.

2. Easy to stay focused

It’s much easier to tune out all distractions while working out at gym vs home. Also, the gym membership fee you paid can be a huge incentive to get off your butt and head straight to the gym!

3. Supercharged atmosphere

There’s something about being in a gym with adrenaline-pumping music, surrounded by fellow gymgoers, all drenched in sweat. You feed off of their energy that drives you to push harder, ultimately resulting in a fantastic workout.

4. Access to personal trainers

Another aspect that can help you decide between gym vs home workout is the access to personal trainers. Personal trainers can design customized workout plans just for you, ensure that you have enough variety in your routines, help you achieve your fitness goals, and more.

Cons of working out at the gym

1. Too much hassle

Dress up and pack your gym bag. Drive to the gym. Wait for that treadmill endlessly.

That’s a LOT of time that you could have spent doing your actual workout. So if you’re pressed for time, heading to the gym is not worth the effort.

2. Inflexible timings

When you work out at the gym, you have to plan your schedule around the gym’s timing. You can’t just pop in whenever you feel like it.

3. Expensive

Gym memberships and fitness classes can be quite expensive. Add to that your other costs including fuel (if you have to drive to the gym), gym accessories, etc. and you could end up burning a hole in your pocket.

4. Not great for introverts

If you’re shy or self-conscious, then the gym can be your worst nightmare. You might come across obnoxious people who stare at you and act judgmental. And that’s definitely something you don’t want!

5. Too many people

Let’s face it. Gyms are full of PEOPLE.

People who leave their sweat all over the equipment, people talking loudly on their phones, and the worst one of ‘em all – people who keep clicking selfies! These can be a huge put-off and make you avoid the gym altogether!

Gym or Home Workout: How do I choose?

Before you can decide whether gym or home workouts are better for you, ask yourself questions such as...

What are my fitness goals?
How much money can I spend on my fitness?
How much space do I have at home?
Is it feasible to drive back and forth to the gym 5 days a week?

Once you’ve figured this out, you can easily decide between gym vs home workout.

At the end of the day, you should choose the option that will allow you to be more CONSISTENT. If you sign up for a gym membership and then turn up to the gym only 2 days a week, that’s just money down the drain.

Or if you decide to work out at home, but lack the self-motivation to do it consistently, you’re better off going to the gym.

How to do a cardio workout at home

Here’s a 30-minute, no-equipment cardio workout to get your heart pumping!

How to do a strength training workout at home

Here’s a 30-minute, resistance training routine using resistance tubes.

Grab Burnlab’s premium-quality resistance tubes set right here!

For more amazing home workout equipment, check out our collections for men and women.

Final words

When deciding between working out at home vs gym, keep your fitness goals, financial and space constraints, availability of time, etc. in mind. You could either choose one over the other or have the best of both worlds by hitting the gym twice a week for the equipment and social interaction and working out at home for the rest of the week for the convenience and privacy.

Which is better in your opinion – gym or home workout? Let us know in the comments below!