I go to the gym for a number of reasons. 1.) I don't have the space for an exercise room. 2.) The gym has a large variety of equipment that would all add up to being quite expensive. 3.) It is nice to see others doing the same movements and seeing how your form compares. 4.) Once I'm at the gym, I know I'm going to work out. I don't know that I could always set the time aside if I worked out at home.

I prefer a gym as well. I'm a big procrastinator. I used to go to the gym for cardio and do body weight workouts at home. I often failed to get to my body weight workout. = /

I have the same reasons jstout mentioned. Also it turns out I like to lift with an audience. Haha. A little vain tree here. If I have someone peeping my deadlift weights I feel much more confident in lifting them with good form as I don't want to look like a punk. :laugh: Although last time I pr'd on my squat the gym was empty...

gym for me, no space, couldn't buy all the kit, husband is averse to turning garage into my squat cave, and I'm a lazy moo! and like tree, there's something about an audience that makes you focus on form (I found running a 5k fun run I did much better than pavement pounding, probably for the same reason!)

Gym for me for the reasons that jstout listed (with exeception of #3 since most people don't do compound lifts). I would like to purchase my own equipment, but even used, it's out of the budget. I also rent and don't plan on staying there forever. Moving 300lbs of plates, plus a bench, plus a rack... no thanks!

I lift/workout at home. It is my Zen place albeit in a garage, lol. I looked at it as an investment as I know most of the equipment I have will probably outlive me . I don't have to worry about going anywhere, monthly fees, gym politics, any other BS that happens at the gym. I am at peace in my home working out and can play any music I want . I am answerable to myself. And, few other reasons.

I have wasted a LOT of $$ on gym memberships over the years and never went more than a month or so. I finally decided few years ago that I will do it from home. I started small and build on it piece by piece. Part of my garage is dedicated to my power rack and other lifting stuff. I have added a lot of stuff in the past several years...some bought new and some used.

You should ask yourself -- will you be more consistent training from home or at the gym? For me, it was home. Once you figure that out then the decision is easy

Home for me. I had a gym membership last year, and the excuse of "I don't feel like driving there today because (random XYZ)" eventually made me quit altogether. Plus I hadn't discovered barbells at that time, which probably had a lot to do with it also cause their cardio equipment just got plain boring.

I now lift in my garage, and the only excuses standing between me and working out are ... absolutely nonexisting. I put some shorts and a shirt on, and off I go. I can grunt and talk to myself all I want, and nobody looks at me funny and I don't have to wait my turn. I'm the exact opposite in that I do better with my form when I'm alone, because being around a bunch of other people would just be too distracting for me. I'm ok by myself or lifting with a friend, and that's pretty much it.

I purchased my Olympic set plus bench/squat rack used for $350 at Play It Again Sports. Then we added about $100 worth of floor mats to protect the garage floor and the equipment, plus an EZ curl bar for $55 for lighter things that the Oly bar is too heavy/awkward for, a used plate stand, and that's my gym plus a couple odds and ends such as gloves, a couple extra 2.5 lb plates and a belt. All told I'm about $700 invested. I'm currently nosing around for a power cage which is going to be my next big purchase, so I'll have a pretty amazing home gym for under $1000 that is going to serve me well for years to come.

I really think it's just a matter of preference, so do whatever works best for you. There's always going to be somebody starting up weight training, so I know that I can always sell what I have to the next enthusiast that comes along. Not that I plan on getting rid of anything, just saying that I easily could.

We workout at home. I was willing to give the gym a try, but my husband really didn't like the idea; he's heard too many horror stories about the gym. We also have two young children, and it's complicated to work out a schedule that would accommodate all of us. We made some space in our garage, and my husband researched and purchased a bench, weights, and squat cage for us. I didn't care much for the price tag of all of it (even at bargain prices, the stuff is expensive), but I have to say that it's working out really well. The only con might be lack of people who could take a look at you for a form check - but that's assuming there are actually qualified people who could do that at the gym.