Home Gym vs. Commercial Gym Membership: Which One Is Best For You?

Working out is a good way to relieve stress. Which Gym is best for you? Breaking down the pros and cons of the home, garage, and commercial gym.

Many people listed getting fit, working out, and exercising more as their goals/new year’s resolutions for the new year. January has come and gone, and hopefully, you are still plugging away at this goal.

I talked about two common obstacles that hold people back when trying to live healthy lifestyles. I would like to tackle another. The debate of the Home/Garage Gym vs. Commercial Gym.

*I strongly recommend that you consult with your physician before beginning any exercise program.

Let’s take a look at the three of them, and consider the pros and cons of each.

Which Gym Is Better: Home Gym, Garage Gym, or Commercial Gym Membership?

A few years ago (read: I can’t remember exactly when 😉 ) we decided we needed to get in shape. We started out with a home gym.

However, there are more options out there. I am going to share the pros and cons of each of the three main “gyms.”

Home Gym

The home gym setup has great versatility and can be set up anywhere: house, mini home, apartment, and even when you are away on vacation.

Required equipment varies depending on the workout, but the typical gear is:

• Dumbbells

  

• an exercise yoga mat  of some sort
• Exercise Resistance Band

  

• Barbell Solid Super Curl Bar
• Exercise Stability Ball

  

• Door pull-up bar 
• Incline Weight Bench

  

You can usually find these items at your local Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire, Sports Store, etc.

CAP Barbell 150 LB Coated Hex Dumbbell Weight Set with Vertical Rack, Black, New EditionNon Slip, Pilates Fitness Mats, Eco Friendly, Anti-Tear 1/4Resistance Bands for Working Out Women and Men, Physical Therapy Bands, Elastic and Exercise Bands Set for Stretching, Suitable for Rehab, Yoga, Pilates, Gym, Home Exercise (Five Colors)CAP Barbell Olympic Super Curl Bar New Version, 48-Inch (OBIS-48)GalSports Yoga Ball Exercise Ball for Working Out, Anti-Burst and Slip Resistant Stability Ball, Swiss Ball for Physical Therapy, Balance Ball Chair, Home Gym FitnessYes4All Heavy Duty Pull Up Bar for Doorway, Solid Main Bar Construction, Multi-Grip Pull-Up Bar for Home Gym Workout, No Screws Portable Doorway Pull Up BarNFEET Adjustable Weight Bench for Full Body Workout, Foldable Workout Bench for Home Gym, Multi-Purpose Weight Bench with 3-Sec Folding& Fast Adjustment for Bench Press Sit up Incline Flat Decline

 

Check this post on 10 Essential Items to Outfit your Home Gym for more ideas.

Note: I recommend a mirror or reflective surface to check your form. Form is really important and prevents injury. I personally workout at home and because do not have a set “workout room”, I use my TV as a mirror. Get Creative!

As for “workouts” in themselves, you can find many print-off ones online such as Pinterest, or you can buy CDs such as P90X, Insanity, and 21 Day Fix just to name a few. You can also stream workouts online.

P90X Plus + Interval X Plus and ABS/Core DVD Workout Video Tony Horton BeachbodyBeachbody 21 Day Fix & 21 Day Fix Extreme – Workout Accessories + Fitness DVDs Bundle, Body Weight Home Workout Planner & Video Guide, Meal Plan and Portion Control Containers IncludedBeachbody Insanity Fast and Furious DVD WorkoutEveryday Yoga: At-Home Routines to Enhance Fitness, Build Strength, and Restore Your BodyYoga: Your Home Practice Companion: A Complete Practice and Lifestyle Guide:

 

Benefits:

• Low Cost is the most affordable “gym” ranging in cost depending on what you buy. There are even full-body workouts that don’t need any type of equipment at all, except you and clothing. (and even clothing could be optional…)
• 24/7-you can workout when you like/have time
• no dress code (see point 1)
• you can yell at your instructor (they won’t hear you)
• no child care required
• you can get the whole family involved
• no travel time
• saves gas
• no membership fees to maintain
• Privacy-if you don’t like people watching you workout or have the ability to watch you workout.

Cons:

• Distractions-you are home and can be distracted easily from your workout
• Limited equipment, means limited workouts (ie. No treadmill means running only outside or on the spot)
• Limited to the amount of equipment you might have access to purchase. Ex. Locally I can only purchase up to 50lb dumbbells. After that, I need to have them shipped in.
• Limited storage – if you don’t have a separate room, it ends up taking over the living space
• No access to support (Ex. spotter, unless you can con a family/friend into helping)
• no accountability
• Lack of the social aspect

Garage gym:

What is it: Typically set up in a spare room or garage, and has more space.

Required equipment varies depending on the workout, but the typical gear is:

• Squat Rack
• Treadmill
• Stationary Bike
• Elliptical
• Pull Up Stand
• as well as all the equipment in a home gym (see above)

BEKING Power Rack Squat Rack Cage with Pull Up Bar,Adjustable Power Cage Exercise Squat Stand with Barbell Rack Weight Plate Storage,Strength Training Workout Station for Home Gym FitnessLONTEK Treadmills for Home, 3.0HP Quiet Brushless Folding Treadmill with Heart Rate Sensor, Silicone Damping System, 300lbs Weight Capacity, Holder for Cup&PhoneOriginal Peloton Bike | Indoor Stationary Exercise Bike with Immersive 22THERUN Elliptical Machine for Home, Magnetic Hyper-Quiet Compact Elliptical Exercise Machine w/ 8 Levels Adjustable Resistance, 6KG Flywheel, Pulse Sensor, LCD Monitor, Bottle Holder (Green)Wesfital Pull Up Bar Dip Bar Dip Station,Power Tower Dip Stand Multi-Function Workout Station Fitness Exercise Equipment for Men Women Home Gym

 

Workouts can include a hired personal trainer, streamed-in workouts, CD’s, print-offs, etc.

BodyBuilding.com has amazing resources for how-to videos and full workouts. This is one of my go-to resources.

Benefits:

• Cost: This is mid-range usually between $1000-5000, however once paid you are set. (if you shop around at second-hand/outlet stores you may be able to lower this)
• 24/7-Always open-you can workout when you like/have time
• no dress code
• you can yell at your instructor (they won’t hear you), unless they are a personal trainer-not recommended to yell at them:)
• no child care required
• you can get the whole family involved
• no travel time
• saves gas
• no membership fees to maintain
• Privacy-if you don’t like people watching you workout or have the ability to watch you workout

Cons:

• Distractions-you are home and can be distracted easily from your workout
• No access to support (Ex. spotter, unless you can con a family/friend into helping)
• no accountability
• Lack of social aspect
• Temperature if you use a garage/building outside or basement. Can be chilly in winter, hot stuff in summer 😉
• The sole responsibility of upkeep. If something is dirty or broke-it is your problem to fix or clean it or hire someone to do so.

Commercial Gym:

Usually a building/complex with a workout room full of many different types of machines, and different types of workout equipment with mirrors, televisions, etc.

May also include classes for various types of workouts such as weight training, spin classes, yoga, Pilates, and full-body workouts. You might even have access to a swimming pool and gymnasium for sports such as tennis, squash, basketball, etc.

Commercial gyms also include access to personal trainers and boot camps of sorts. Some complex include a sauna and massage as well. Showers and lockers plus changing rooms.

Some examples are: Goodlife Fitness, YMCA, Planet Fitness, and Golds Gym just to name a few you might be familiar with.

Benefits:

• Endless options for workouts and no limit to equipment needs. (depending on your gym)
• Access to trainers for help and guidance (for a fee)
• Accountability
• Childcare-Sometimes included in the fee
• Little to no distractions
• Little to no limits on weights/equipment
• Can workout while away from home, if part of a chain and your type of membership allows
• Temperature is more controlled. AC/Heat
• More motivated to get it done. (people are waiting)
• Atmosphere, people around you are working hard, or watching you-you dig down deep and push yourself harder

Cons:

• Travel time
• Classes are on the complex schedule you need to adjust
• Only workout during open hours
• cost, monthly fee
• Dress code
• Quiet, no yelling at instructors, banging or dropping weights (some gyms)
• Some gym’s have rules regarding workouts allowed
• Need to wait for others or alter the order of  your workout
• Some people re-rack the weights or put them back in the wrong order.
• lack of freedom, you can’t do things at a gym you might do at home or in your garage gym-like lying on the floor exhausted after pushing yourself too hard
• hygiene-Most gyms are very clean, but not all gymgoers follow the rules
• Children confined to child care area

Tip: Bring your own towels, and always wipe down before and after using the equipment.

4 Questions to Ask When Choosing The Right Gym:

As you can see, there are pros/cons to each type of gym. The question is which one suits for you?

4 Questions about gyms you need to ask:

• Budget: How much money do you have to spend? Are you willing to spend each month? More upfront?
• Tip: Before investing in a full Garage gym-buy a few key pieces and make sure you will use them first. If you find you are not using it, then perhaps a commercial gym might be best for you.
• Time: Do you have time to travel? How many days a week do you plan on working out? When you block out a set time to work out, will you allow others to distract you?
• Priorities: Will you make your workout a steady part of your routine? Will you set goals? Will you prioritize working out and not allow other things to interfere? Will you reschedule your workout if needed?

Why covers your workout plan, such as a goal, and not necessarily the reasons for working out?

Examples: Are you training for a 5k where you need access to cross-training and cardio equipment but don’t have the money/space for them at home? Then a commercial gym might suit you best.

Are you trying to gain strength and just need time/squat wrack and weights? Perhaps a garage gym might suit you.

Are you trying to tone and be more flexible? Then a home gym might suit.

Remember Your goal!

After you consider all your options, get out there and try it!

Personally, I love working out at home. I love the freedom to choose, not only when I work out but what I work out. I won’t be needing anything heavier than 50lbs dumbbells anytime soon 😉

However, I do find it hard to push myself on days I don’t want to work out. I do miss working out with others.

With that in mind, I might just join a gym sometime in the future. For the moment, I love having the children around while I work out, sometimes they even jump in, and it ends up being a blast!

My husband loves the commercial gym for the “no distractions”, and he likes the variety of weights/machines to do what he wants. He finds it very stress relieving, and it is his “downtime”-which we all need. Plus, he knows I will remind him he is just throwing money away if he doesn’t go. After all you pay even if you don’t go.

So what is your favorite type of gym and why?

Take care

Jen

PS. Working out is a good way to relieve stress and find time for you. If you want more ideas, be sure to read: How to Make Time for You When You “Don’t Have Time”

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