Good Men Project newcomer, Logan Bryant, has 5 reasons to consider working out at home instead of at the gym.
For years and years, I’ve been without a home gym. Like most people, I had to get my workouts in at whichever gym I lived closest to at the time. Well, I’m happy to say that I’m done with gym memberships, and probably for good now that I’ve been able to make my dream of owning a home gym a reality.
I realize, though, that owning a home gym is not ideal for everyone. While I bubble up with excitement about being able to work out in the comfort of my own home, it has led to some conversations with people who aren’t quite as keen on the idea as I am. I’d like to share some of my favorite reasons for why having a home gym has helped me stay motivated and healthy, although keep in mind that working out at home isn’t for everyone. If you’re not sure, I recommend testing out your personal ability to commit with a gym membership first. No one wants to invest in a fancy home gym, only to discover later that your cool exercise equipment has turned into a dusty reminder of last year’s New Year’s resolution. Some people prefer the gym environment and that’s great! Other people might need to rely a personal trainer at their gym, either for help with exercises, or just for motivation.
1. Location, location, location.
When I was in college, I had no trouble driving a few blocks three days a week to work out at the local gym. Maybe it was the flexible college schedule, or maybe it was the dating scene that kept me motivated to keep a consistent routine. But after I got a job, got married, and acquired more time commitments, I soon found myself skipping workouts for months at a time. After a long day of work, it’s hard to leave my wife and comfortable home to dive across town to a gym in my limited personal time.
Pro tip: Try setting up your equipment in a garage, or a room that doesn’t contain furniture, electronics. The home location can be incredible, but it can also be a distraction, so eliminate your distractions and create a focused environment.
2. Schedule
Have you ever experienced the frustration of getting ready and making it all the way to the gym, only to find out that it’s 5:00pm on a Saturday and your gym closes at 2:00pm on weekends? What about driving out to a couple of locked doors on Martin Luther King day? Day or night, the home gym is open for business, so it’s hard to make excuses.
Pro tip: Find a time of day that you’re most likely to exercise and schedule it out on your calendar. Maybe that’s 10pm, or maybe it’s before the kids get up for school in the morning. Again, this is about eliminating distractions.
3. There’s No Sharing Equipment
Now, I don’t have to worry about prolonging my routine or altering it because two other guys already called dibs on the leg press. I can make sure I get every lift in at exactly my own pace. As an added bonus, I’ll never worry about mixing my gym sweat with strangers. I’m not a germaphobe by any means, but there’s always a small risk of picking up a bacteria, or virus from another person’s gym sweat. Usually it’s only something small, like athlete’s foot, or the common cold, but occasionally other germs could find their way to the weight bench.
Pro tip: Even though it’s exciting to always have your equipment to yourself, see if you have any friends or family nearby to lift with you. They’ll be happy to save money on gym memberships, and you’ll have someone to help keep you motivated. You might have a gym partner in your significant other, or a neighbor, or you can hire a personal trainer who’s willing to train you at your residence.
4. Your Own Workout Music
Do you have a list of go-to songs that really get you in the zone? I know I do. I also have an aversion to certain genres and artists that get played at most gyms. This is probably why you see so many people walking through the gym with headphones in their ears. People like to listen to their own workout playlists, and that doesn’t always mesh with what’s being played on the air. When you’re at home, you can control the tunes. No messy headphones. No working out to for someone else’s music.
Pro tip: Have a set of speakers just for the home gym. I like to use Bluetooth speakers synced to my phone, but it could also be a docking system, or any other speaker system. Anything to help you play your own workout mix free of headphones. Also, music with fast tempos are great, but many distance runners choose to find songs with tempos that match their running pace.
5. Home Amenities
Finally, home gyms give you easy access to a number of amenities that are hard to argue with. Not the least of which is your own shower and closets. No packing around a gym back, or showering with naked strangers. Additionally, you have your own kitchen, which means fresh, accessible post-workout meals and/or supplements. You probably also have internet at home in case you run out of exercise ideas, or need a tutorial for better lifting form. Nothing beats being able to quickly shower and change after a workout, whether you need to head out to work afterwards, or you just want to kick up your feet on the sofa for some well-earned relaxation.
Pro tip: This might be the most critical pro tip of all. Keep a first-aid kit nearby, and try make sure someone is home and spotting while you exercise. Injury, and sometimes death can occur when lifting alone. All it takes is for someone to drop a heavy weight and get stuck without any means of help. Be safe, and don’t think it can’t happen to you.
Lastly, remember that you may not even need a lot of fancy equipment to make home workouts a reality. There’s so much you can do with just a pull-up bar, some adjustable dumbbells, and maybe a jump rope. Beyond that, there are scores of body weight exercises and variations using your own furniture. May we all choose to be motivated and excuse-free.
About the author:
Logan Bryant is a blogger, writer, and pole vaulting coach with the Utah Pole Vault Academy. He graduated with an English degree from Brigham Young University in 2011 and continues to write on a variety of subjects. Logan also maintains a pole vaulting blog with additional fitness tips and information.
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Photo credit: Flickr/ElliottCable
This is why I really want to build my own home gym.
I can’t wait to build my home gym as well. Taking away the monthly fees and all other external factors definitely can play a big role in sticking with a routine. Plus it will save you commuting time and waiting for the benchpress or whatever thing you have to do!