We’re all guilty of just being too busy to make time for some things and often forget that we need to keep ourselves healthy. At the top of that list is getting enough, or even any exercise in, at all. So what is the solution? Many people have resorted to getting their exercise routines done and out of the way by just doing it from the comfort of their homes or even in their office using a couple of items and with the guidance of videos. But just as with everything in life, at-home workouts does have its advantages as well as its disadvantages. While gyms, classes, teams, clubs and outdoor hobbies are absolutely awesome, making a game plan to make fitness happen at home will make your training foolproof.
ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT
Pros
When you exercise at home, you get to choose the equipment you need and want for the specific kind of workout you want to have. Everyone has different kinds of bodies, aches
Cons
There are some exercise machines that are much too large and costly to have within your home, and it would just make more sense to head out to the gym instead. The industry is continuously coming up with new kinds of equipment and you’ll find that the gyms are the first to have them available. Not only will they be the first to have new choices, but they’re also almost always going to have the most choices and far more diversity than the average Joe or Jane could stash in their home. Oprah Winfrey probably has all of the machines in all of the colors with all of the bells and whistles. But Joe and Jane … probably not.
COSTS
Pros
It’s no surprise that exercising at home is going to cost you a lot less in the long run in comparison to gym memberships and classes. You just pay a one-time expense when you get your equipment and perhaps if you sign up for online classes, but that’s about it. There will rarely be a cost associated again with those previous purchases. For example, if you love to walk or run, a quality treadmill may cost you $1,200. That may seem like a tough upfront cost for some people. However, a quality treadmill has the potential to last you up to 10 years. Break that down a bit and you’re only paying $120 per year. If you use it three times per week over the course of those 10 years, you’re paying 77 cents per workout. Not such a bad deal!
Cons
Even though you may end up spending less when working out at home, you might not have all of the equipment necessary to get the results you need, and you might up spending even more than you would in a gym if you continue to purchase various machines, accessories, courses and videos. This is why it’s so important that you know what you’re doing before taking the indoor option on.
ATMOSPHERE
Pros
When you take on a home training plan, you get to play around with ambiance any which way you like. You can dedicate a room or a corner for your workouts and have the colors that soothe you, as much or as little natural sunlight as you like, and play the music that you want, whenever you want! You also get to wear anything you want without having to worry about who’s looking at you- this is especially effective for people who suffer from social anxiety.
Cons
It may get a little depressing exercising in a space that is isolated and you may also have a hard time setting up the right atmosphere to get you motivated to exercise. Going to a class or gym can be very
WEATHER
Pros
It doesn’t matter what the weather is like outside, you no longer have an excuse not to work out. When you set yourself up for a home workout, you can be consistent because you won’t have to worry about how hot or cold it is, or if the bad weather has caused bad traffic, so you can’t go to the gym.
Cons
We cannot forget the importance of getting natural sunlight. Vitamin D is crucial to our well being, so getting a workout outdoors from time to time is important, and staying indoors continuously takes away from getting these necessary vitamins that nature provides.
DOING IT RIGHT
Pros
When you opt to have your workout indoors and at home, it’s important that you have the right guidance on how to do the correct exercises for your body type. You can always consult a private trainer to analyze your body type and accordingly, they will be able to tell you what kinds of exercises are suitable for you.
Cons
Sometimes to do it right, watching videos or getting a private trainer may not be enough. Some people learn better when they have a bunch of people around them, and this is the case where indoor exercise may not be so suitable.
It’s clear that regardless of whether you opt for workouts inside the home or out, both will have their pros and cons, and it really just depends on what kind of a person you are and what kind of workout you’d like to have. If you’re really smart, and you probably are, you’ll gameplan to train in as many different locations using at much variety as possible. The more you diversify your training, your mind will remain happily engaged and the more capable your body will be.
