Gym or Home Gym?

I've used a home gym almost exclusively and I think it's great. I have a cable-style weight machine from Pacific Fitness. The stack isn't as big as a pro gym set up but it fits my needs pretty well. I know I won't be lifting the big weights no matter where I work out. I find that saving the time I would have spent commuting to and from a commercial gym was more valuable than any coaching and reinforcement I might have gotten from a trainer. I virtually never miss a workout because, if I have to, I can break the exercises into separate sessions during the day so I can meet my other responsibilities at home.

I had a gym membership for years and rarely went. Got a barbell setup in my spare bedroom and use it 3 times a week. If you have the space home gyms are worth it.

The best exercise is the one you will do consistently. If the home gym weights are too light, you can always slow the motion down. I home gym exclusively. It fits in with the rest of my life better than going to the gym.

I have free weights in my basement, along with a squat rack. Also have the Iron Gym that fits in a doorway for pull-ups and then use it on the floor for pushups. Cardio one day, then lower body barbell squats the next, then cardio, then upper body the next, etc. Doing pretty good for my age with squats using 190 lbs, dead-lifts with 228. The tv nearby provides motivation while watching the political bs! LOL Gym machines are not good as most are one size fits all and can actually cause injuries. Free weights force balance and involve more muscles as a result. Good luck to all..

You have to decide for yourself. Some people thrive working out at home others find that going to the gym works for them. Other considerations for a home gym; available space, budget and goals.

I work out at home using a pull up bar, suspension trainer, a rack of dumbbells, kettle bells, treadmill and a dip belt (to add weight to pull ups and dips). If I went to a gym I would get stronger in a shorter time frame. I'm OK with slow steady progress given the convenience of having a home gym. Easy access has helped me stay consistent. But that's me, you have to find what works for you.

I have a home gym and put it together to save money ($79 for a gym membership each month vs. $350 one time for used equipment) and time (15 min drive each way). I have a bench with squat rack and Olympic bar, dumbbells, treadmill, and free standing pull-up/dip station. I thin that covers all of the big exercises that I like to do. I'd recommend heading to a sporting goods store and trying a few of the machines you are looking at and seeing how the weight feels to you. If you are already starting close to the max for those machines then either go with a setup like mine or stick with the gym.

I also prefer using a commercial gym. I do feel inspired by others at the gym. I have a set of kettlebells and an Iron Gym door bar at home, but I don't use them that often. I get distracted at home. My gym membership is $27/mo, and there is a small gym at work if I choose to use it.

For me ( & the hubs) we love our cable machine in our garage! It's cooler there with fresh air too. I can get up and dress how I want, don't have to do my hair or even wash it for that matter, or don't even put my contacts in yet! If I had to drive somewhere I'd not only have to put in the contacts but also a little makeup & do the hair etc so I could stop at the grocery store on the way home... I find all that so distracting that I wouldn't make it to the gym! Also being older (57) I can go at my own pace without feeling like someone's waiting for me to finish. Being in the garage is great too because I can bring my dog!

I have an inexpensive rec center under a mile from my house and a gym at my office about 100 feet from my desk but I'm setting up a home gym right now for several reasons.

The rec center is closed most government holidays, no wifi, one functioning tube TV that gets one station, is open limited hours, and has limited staff so I often end up putting away equipment and cleaning up after the 200 pound toddlers that lift in the evenings when I go in at the 5 am opening time. Plus there's always the occasional diptard that just gets in your way.

The office gym is free, beautiful, shiny, almost brand new and rarely used. But has ridiculous rules like absolutely no deadlifting and you must use a spotter when using the power rack (kind of defeats the purpose of having a rack...) So, that makes the work gym essentially useless for me unless I need to run on the dreadmill due to inclement weather.

So, after several months of trolling Craigslist I've put together a home gym that I am quite satisfied with. I can workout any time I want, have access to wifi, listen to any music or watch any TV station, deadlift my heart out and the only diptard that gets in the way is the Pug.

The only downside at home is staying focused. This morning I was taking a potty break, noticed the TP was empty, went to the Strategic Paper Products Reserve in the utility room (thanks, Costco), noticed it was a bit unorganized and next thing you know, my App is reminding me that it's been 5 minutes since my last set. But so far that's the only downside for me.

I have a home gym and love it! Its all stuffed into a tiny basement space. I have an olympic weight set, squat stands, and a FID bench. I've never used a bowflex-style home gym, but it seems limited at 150/210lbs. How would you train your legs? If you resistance train with a barbell, you can just get more plates whenever you need to.

I can usually figure out a way to mimic cable exercises with resistance bands. Not quite the same, but good enough. No lat pulldowns though. I do pullups instead. Then you can increase resistance with a dumbbell between your feet or use a dip belt with weights.