Working out at home vs. going to the gym
I read this article on the Trying Fitness Blog and found myself browsing through Craigslist to see what good deals were around in my area. As you would expect, I found some pretty good deals on fitness equipment in my area. Most of the items listed for sale were machines that were pin-loaded. Not really my cup of tea, but for the average Joe they would do just fine. Now that I think about it, Ebay might be a good place to look for used gym equipment as well.
Just which option is better? Is working out at home better or is it better to have a membership at a local fitness center?
To truthfully answer this, it depends on the type of person you are.
Think of it like taking an online course through a college. Sure, the course counts the same towards your degree, but the difference is there is no one there pushing you or lecturing you on what the important topics are in the chapter. If you don’t make time in your schedule while at home for the online course work, then there’s no way it’s going to get done. Discipline is the name of the game when it comes to lifting and actually making progress towards your goal whether it be weight loss, strength gains, or muscle tone.
The same thing applies to having your own gym equipment in your house. If you have the discipline to use it on a regular basis then great. It’ll save you money in the long run. If on the other hand you might need a swift kick in the ass by someone at the gym asking you “What the hell are you doing?” when you perform a lift incorrectly, then having a membership at a local gym is probably best.
I must warn you that if you’re serious about lifting and really want to make significant strength increases, then home gym equipment will only get you so far before you find yourself spending thousands of dollars to keep up with your demands. Keep in mind that weights are generally a dollar per pound. You might be able to find weight sets on Craigslist for a lot less, but act fast because they tend to go quick.
