Home Fitness Training vs. The Gym - Are We Really Missing Out? A Guest Blog By: Rahim aka The Homebody

I have a few friends who are hardcore gym junkies.  We were having a discussion the other day about the advantages and disadvantages of working out at home versus traditional gym training.  It started out civil, but I should have known better than to start a discussion like this in the lobby of their gym where it was almost inevitable that some members (a few also in the gym junky realm) would over hear our discussion and have to get involved.

It all began when I mentioned how much money I'd saved over the past few years taking my workout home (and outdoors when the weather's right) and out of the gym.  I'd brought up how much time I was saving by not having to travel  back and forth from  my home to the gym as well.

One of my friends brought up the point of motivation.  He said that he prefers the gym atmosphere because the activity going on around him keeps him motivated to excel in his workout routines.  He also said that it's difficult for him to concentrate when he works out at home because he's easily distracted.  Coincidentally he said this just as a beautiful fitness model in the shortest of shorts walked by.

My other friend said that he loves the variety and convenience of multiple workout machines in a gym environment.  This way he gets to workout individual body parts and really get technical with his routines and That's when the first 2 cents was thrown in.  "That's what the homebodies will never understand!" said a guy who looked like he could have been Lou Ferrigno's stunt double during the Hulk days.  "There's only so much you can do when you're working out at home and your resources are limited." he continued. 

At this point a young lady who was standing at the front desk offered her outlook.  "But everybody's not getting in shape for a competition.  Some people have everything they need at home to complete all of their goals."  At this point I was wondering if she read my mind because that's exactly how I was going to retort what he said.  "But you're here!" said Ferrigno's understudy.  "Yeah but I still don't see anything wrong with working out at home, it all just depends on what and why!  And why I'm here isn't the issue!" she barked back.

We could all see where this was going so one of my friends chimed in a predictable cliche, but even though it was a cliche it was very applicable due to the nature (and tone) of the conversation.  "Hey, To Each Their Own."  I couldn't help but feel slightly responsible for starting this whole debate so I made it clear (to everyone) that I wasn't trying to start anything, I was just happy about the time and money I was seeing by having a home fitness routine.

As far as the motivation, I can see how environment can influence your intensity in a given thing.  However, that can only take you so far if you don't have the desire within.  Once the allure of the gym environment wears off, you still have to be there for you or else you'll stop coming.  This is what I tell people when they ask me why I workout at home and not in the gym.  I'm able to do it because I've maintained my desire to be in shape no matter who or what's around me.

When it comes to the convenience of multiple machines, there is an advantage of a gym setting.  However, like the young lady at the counter said, everyone's not training for a competition.  When I made the decision to workout at home I planned out my goals and built my home gym accordingly.

Which brings me to the question.  What do you think?  Are we really missing out when we leave the traditional gym for home fitness?

Rahim aka The Homebody is an enthusiast of home fitness exercises.  He's always keeping his eye out on new and exciting ways to workout at home.