Gym vs. Home equipment

stumblinthrulife

I'm thinking about moving to free weights. I've been using the machine at the community gym so far, mostly to see if it would 'stick'. Didn't want to be one of those guys with a power rack used exclusively for drying clothes.

Regarding equipment, the advice seems pretty clear - get a power rack, bench, olympic bar, some plates and some floor protection. Maybe something for dips.

What I'm wondering about are the benefits of going to a gym over getting my own equipment. The 12-24 month investment seems similar between both - $50 a month for a gym over 12 months, or $600 to $1000 one off on equipment, plus (hopefully) bigger plates as I go. After a year or 2, the equipment has paid for itself.

So what will I get at a gym that I'd be missing at home? Obviously a lot of varied machines, but do I need them? I can keep doing my cardio at the community gym on their treadmills.

stumblinthrulife

ok, I over-estimated the cost of a gym membership. But still, even at $400 a year for Gold's, the equipment pays for itself over 2 or 3 years. And if I don't intend to stick with it that long, why bother, right?

JeffseekingV

I'd actually start a free weight program first then evaluate exactly what you want at your home gym. Although what you mention seems pretty spot on.

taso42

It's a matter of personality. Some people like the routine of "going to the gym". Some people like to have gym buddies that they meet with at the gym. Other people, like me, would rather have all the equipment in house to minimize travel time and excuse making. I can still have gym buddies, but it's limited to a select few.

DaniH826

I would not do well lifting at a gym, having to weight for turns on equipment, seeing others lift with crap form and having my OCD compel me to correct them (and getting banned from said gym posthaste).

I do much better lifting at home.

Plus no more excuses of "I don't feel like driving to the gym today because ... (XYZ reason)."

Cause if I can't make it the 2 steps to my garage, I need to just hand in my big girl card and call it a day. :bigsmile:

Plus, I made the investment in my weight equipment, and my inner cheapskate is going to get her money's worth out of it since it's staring me in the face every time I walk into my garage.

We all motivate differently. Go with what fits you.

Regarding equipment, the advice seems pretty clear - get a power rack, bench, olympic bar, some plates and some floor protection.

Yep, that's all you need, really (don't really need anything for dips since a basic compound lifting program like Starting Strength, Stronglifts, AllPro etc. will have your triceps covered). Or just use the bench for dips and maybe get a cage with a pull-up bar and do those instead.

If you're not sure if you're going to stick with it, buy used. That's what I did. Working out rather well so far.

Hope that helps. :drinker:

sandradev1

I also prefer to do my lifting at home. No waiting to use the squat rack. Can go to the 'gym' any time of day. Can workout in my comfy slouch around clothes and also can lift in bare feet without the worry of standing on something nasty.

Only down side I can see if that I would love to finish with a jacuzzi, sauna or even just a swim.

beachlover317

It's a matter of personality. Some people like the routine of "going to the gym". Some people like to have gym buddies that they meet with at the gym. Other people, like me, would rather have all the equipment in house to minimize travel time and excuse making. I can still have gym buddies, but it's limited to a select few.

This ^^ and my home gym time is my "me time". I can work out for as long as I want. I can go anytime of day or night and not worry about crowds. I can take as long as I want on equipment and not have another sweaty person waiting for me to finish. I can lift barefoot. I'm also not particularly fond of chatting while I work out. It is a matter of preference.

LOL Sandra - I just read your response - I also have a jacuzzi in my master bath. :drinker:

JeffseekingV

I've met alot of cool people at my gym. I also pick up good altenative exercises via watching others.

Since I free weight almost all the time, I don'f find myself wating for anything 90%.

sandradev1

It's a matter of personality. Some people like the routine of "going to the gym". Some people like to have gym buddies that they meet with at the gym. Other people, like me, would rather have all the equipment in house to minimize travel time and excuse making. I can still have gym buddies, but it's limited to a select few.

This ^^ and my home gym time is my "me time". I can work out for as long as I want. I can go anytime of day or night and not worry about crowds. I can take as long as I want on equipment and not have another sweaty person waiting for me to finish. I can lift barefoot. I'm also not particularly fond of chatting while I work out. It is a matter of preference.

LOL Sandra - I just read your response - I also have a jacuzzi in my master bath. :drinker:

OMG - I am now so jealous you got a jacuzzi, I am going to start coming over to your gym to work out LOL

Sarauk2sf

You can get perfectly good workouts at home if you have the right equipment. Going to the gym/working out at home is more of a preference thing. What motivates you more, how far is the nearest gym, do you enjoy the activity of people around you or is it distracting and those types of things.