Home gym vs. public gym
Replies
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I lift at home. Even though I know that no one will likely judge me, my anxiety gets the best of me in a public setting when I'm not confident about what I'm doing, which spirals into me thinking "They're all watching me and they all think I suck and I'm fat," so I know if I tried to force myself to lift in a gym, it wouldn't work.
I have a gym membership, but I only use it for swimming and treadmill access.0 -
I realized something these past few gym sessions... I make the absolute worst faces when I am lifting, especially hip thrusting, glute bridges, other glute moves, also my overhead press face is terrifying. Oh and I scream and wimper and swear and make other random noises. So... yea I think it's best not to subject others to all that
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I also wish I had a basement or garage! I do have a home gym though. We have a living room where we spend our evenings and a den/computer room which I took over with my equipment. It may not be a beautiful sight for our company but I really don't care. I have a squat rack, bench, elliptical, pull-up bar, barbells, some smaller equipment, and yes, a total gym which I use for pulley work/pilates.
I have had what I think is excellent success working out at home. I've done a couple small bulks and am thrilled with the results. I have used a gym in the past but have too much social anxiety to really get the full benefit from the investment. I also greatly prefer being able to lift at my convenience, with my own choice of music and volume, and not worrying about what I'm wearing or looking like. I have a special needs teenager who cannot be left alone so it's easier for me to be able to do what I need to at home. Fortunately, I have my husband to check my form and to spot when I need it.
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I realized something these past few gym sessions... I make the absolute worst faces when I am lifting, especially hip thrusting, glute bridges, other glute moves, also my overhead press face is terrifying. Oh and I scream and wimper and swear and make other random noises. So... yea I think it's best not to subject others to all that
This is why I love my gym, all of these things are not only allowed, but encouraged. It may not be my home, but for me, its the next best thing.2 -
I started in the gym and am still in the gym. I did buy an Inspire M1to work out at home, not as my go to but as my safety net. If I could not get to the gym I had it to fall back on. I have since sold it as it does not have near enough weight for me, and to be honest prefer the gym, you just cant beat the amount of weight available or selection of machines and accessories. I would love to turn my garage into a home gym but the it is extremely cost prohibitive for what I want/need.0
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Home Gym. Rack, bench, step, dumb bells, punching bag, treadmill, spin bike, lebert equalizers, floor space for stretching and ball for stretching my back. I'm lucky to have a large room as long as my house - one end is the gym one end is videogames. Balance.1
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I'm surprised by how many people have home gyms! I move around a lot and have lived in flats for the past 5 years or so, thus no chance of a home gym for me. I don't think I'd be able to hack it without a squat rack, though.
I will say that I'm fairly picky about commercial gyms - they have to have a decent amount of lifting equipment, not be too busy, and open for a fair while outside work hours (ideally 24hr, but that isn't always feasible). They vary so much in feel that I think it's hard to generalise. You just have to shop around and hope that something good is nearby!0 -
I don't have a home gym and don't want one. My gym is awesome. Caters to bodybuilders, strongmen and powerlifters. 6 squat racks, 6 bench press, tons of other stuff. Super nice people. Great trainers, who train based on science.
https://www.themeccagym.com/2 -
I wrote this in another thread (which was originally in chit-chat so it's a bit silly), but it applies.
Pros of home gym: I can workout anytime I want, I don't have to drive there, I can wear whatever I want, I can blare my music as loud as I want and don't have to wear headphones which I hate, I can watch music videos on my computer TV, I can make ugly faces and sounds with no one around watching me, I can pose and dance and take as many selfies as I want (*this can also be a con, see below), no waiting for machines, I can do weird exercises (esp glute stuff) without people starring at me, I don't have to talk or see people, weights are where I left them (I can leave a mess if I want)
Cons: *Getting distracted dancing and taking selfies which can waste a lot of time, equipment and space limitations ( I have to do some shuffling around to use certain things), centipedes and spider friends who like to join my workout, sometimes my kids (if they aren't napping or in school) like to distract or ask me questions during my workout5 -
I like the notion of a home gym, and my wife and I have discussed it in the past, but I know it would never work for me. Between my 8 and 6 year old boys, a large home, an acre of property, and a honey do list a mile long there's just too much distraction when I get home. Beyond that, getting home from a long day at the office and an hour each way commute signals the end and I don't want to do much except take care of what needs to be taken care of.
I enjoy my gym, but I don't have the problems a lot of people have with a public gym because my gym isn't open to the general public. My gym is owned by husband and wife friends of mine and for the most part, you have to be training with one of them or one of the other three trainers to workout there. There are only a handful of us that are close to the family who have "executive memberships" and can come and go as we please.
At most, there would be 5 other people working out if all 5 trainers were there and training someone...I've never seen it...it's usually like 3 other people besides myself. If I go on a Sunday there's never anyone there except myself.
Because everyone is working with a trainer, there's no silliness going on either and everything gets put back in it's place and everything is clean.
The trainers are top notch...the husband is a retired pro BMX racer with multiple national championships under his belt and at least one World Championship. He is retired and now coaches team USA at Worlds and the Olympics. His wife has her bachelors in exercise science and is a Cat 3 (I think...maybe 2) cyclist who mostly races crits and cyclocross and is no stranger to the podium. One of the other trainers is a pro mountain biker and the other two are female physique competitors.
There aren't really any cons for me...sometimes the weekend commute to get there annoys me, but when it's nice out I use it as an excuse to get some miles in on my bike and get a good 16 mile round trip in. It's on my route home from work, so I don't really have any excuses there.
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I do both home & gym (much more gym heavy though - especially for weights, more cardio/LISS @ home though). Honestly feel more motivated going to the gym but only @ certain times of day...same people, same creatures of habit...for camaraderie. Seeing others (whether in shape or not...working out is motivating/inspiring). Even if I don't speak a word to someone during a workout, it's nice knowing there are others with the same training mentality (get in, get out) as myself - just the minimal chit chat - working in, how many sets left?, etc. I'm not an outgoing person; to me, this counts as social activity/working out with others - feeling like I belong
I think the Hawthorn effect/having observers watch you (imagining you are being graded by others in a "white lab coats" also increases one's performance (placebo like effect). Results overall better with gym workouts likely due to this effect...also learning/observing others over the years & concentrating more on form/techniques
I will say, privacy of doing cardio @ home & sweating like a nasty pig is better for compliance with cardio...just awkward & a bit embarrassing @ the gym having people see someone relatively fit sweating heavily from relatively low intensity brisk walking (medical condition related).
Equipment is what you make of it (tools)...home sometimes requires a bit of investment & ingenuity/creativity1 -
I made no results at home because it was too easy to get comfortable relaxing and doing housework.
I feel more motivated being surrounded by fellow bodybuilders, and not to mention WAY better equipment.0 -
No home gym for me; I never found enough motivation working out at home; therefore, no good results. The house is not put together or decorated to allow gym equipment, the garage is for the cars, and I have no basement. But even if I did have a garage or a basement with space for the equipment, I wouldn't set up a home gym. Too many distractions.
I live in a gated community with two reasonable well equipped gyms, and that gives me the opportunity to workout and get out of the house and have some "me" time. The use of the gyms is included in the HOA, so no additional charges except for fitness classes, and the fees for these classes are very reasonable. I like to go at the gym, it gets more motivated, I work out with more intensity, I get better results and I see familiar faces.
Even before I moved to this community I was working out at public gyms, including Gold's Gym. I like it that way. I used to do JM's DVDs workouts at home but I didn't last too long. I like to have people around and they don't distract me.
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I do both. I keep weights, a mat, and simple exercise tools at home for a quick work out on days that I can't make the gym because I am too busy. I can do a pretty straightforward workout using body weight exercises and free weights, and then stretch and do yoga. On "non gym" days, I walk in my neighborhood, swim, or ride the exercise bike we keep in the bonus room (least favorite option, but great for snowy or rainy days). I have an inexpensive gym membership which gives me access to free weights, fitness machines, and some fitness classes including yoga, weight training, zumba, and group cycling. I go there 4 to 5 times per week. I like being able to mix things up and enjoy the support of "gym friends" who cheer each other on.0
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I love the concept of a home gym. I have made areas in different parts of my places "gym-ish". I am no longer married so the kids and the honey-do list are no longer potential obstacles (not suggesting that the kids are an obstacle at all.....my boys are never obstacles in the least) but I like the sounds in the gym.
I have memberships to PF and to Workout Anytime. I just re-joined PF (yeah! yeah! yeah! I know....I know...but know what, y'all? I really enjoy the group of people at the Reynolda PF....since I returned about three weeks ago I have run into about 15 people that I have not seen in one year and it was really nice catching up with them....anyway).
I like the sounds of the gym (to repeat myself.....because my colleagues tell me all the time that is what 51yo dudes do......27x over!). I am sure that sounds kinda weird. But I like the sound of clank this and clank that. And the occasional "EEERRRRRRR!" (which is sometimes me).
I do not really talk to anyone at the gym (well, with "anyone" being defined as "female" in this context) except that core group at PF. I go to the gym with a pretty clear idea of what is on the agenda for the day! Chit-chat is not really ever on the agenda. Maybe between sets when I am training with the fellas (a couple of *HUGE* dudes who, for some reason, like to give me s**t all the time! I really think that they just like my "really, dude, I will f'ing kill you!" replies! I challenge them to arm wrestles and they decline.....big teddy bears they must be.....I still like my chances at winning!).
You miss out on that when you are in the home gym. Give and take.....both ideas have advantages over the other, and disadvantages for sure over the other.
I guess my bottom line is this: whatever gets you under the bar (whatever that might mean) is the 'best gym' for you. And, we are all so very different. And thank the good Lord above for that!!!!0 -
I've had great results working out from my home gym and I'm very happy with my transformation/progress. I work well on my own, very disciplined and don't need others for motivation so I stay focused. Other people tend to distract me and/or get in my way.
I do take fitness classes in a studio setting from time to time to mix things up (pole fitness, barre, trampoline fitness, aerial yoga, Body Pump etc.) but all of my strength training and cardio is done at home/outside with no gym membership.
When I tried to get fit in the past I would sign up for gym memberships, go hard for a couple months and slowly stop going for different reasons.
With my home gym there's no excuses. I have my own setup with the things I only use, it's convenient, a time-saver and I can blast my own music.
I'm always upgrading and buying new things so having a home gym isn't a money saver for me. 2 -
I've been training in my own home gym for the past 10 years. Before that it was 10 years @ Planet Fitness which was OK. Would've been better if it were closer to my house but it's a half hour drive each way. Personally prefer the home gym over public.
Fortunate enough to have a 24X24+ gym above my garage that I recently upgraded. Keep myself plenty motivated to use it 4-5 days per week. Play the music I like or listen to cable news.
I have commercial everything so no trade off in equipment quality. Have a lot of Rogue stuff (Monster rack, lat machine, bars/plates GHD, plus custom functional trainer, smith machine, power squat machine, DL platform, dumbbells from 5-80lb, landmines, etc.
Love working out in there. Couldn't fathom going back to a public gym.0 -
rainbow198 wrote: »I've had great results working out from my home gym and very happy with my transformation/progress. I work well on my own, very disciplined and don't need others for motivation so I stay focused. Other people tend to distract me and/or get in my way.
I do take fitness classes in a studio setting from time to time (pole fitness, barre, trampoline fitness, Body Pump etc.) but all of my strength training and cardio has been done at home/outside with no gym membership.
When I tried to get fit in the past I would sign up for gym memberships, go hard for a couple months and slowly stop going for different silly reasons.
With my home gym there's no excuses. I have my own setup with the things I only use, it's convenient and is a time-saver and I can blast my own music. I'm always upgrading and buying new things so I don't see having a home as a money saver for me.
Don't you just love the pole classes? I have done a few and they are a total blast. I am pretty athletic and pretty strong but I totally sucked!!! But it was a ton of fun. Will def do more in the future.
And for those of you who have never (and maybe are in the "never have I ever" group...) just think about it. Better yet...dont think: go do it! It really is fun!1 -
LiftHeavyThings27105 wrote: »rainbow198 wrote: »I've had great results working out from my home gym and very happy with my transformation/progress. I work well on my own, very disciplined and don't need others for motivation so I stay focused. Other people tend to distract me and/or get in my way.
I do take fitness classes in a studio setting from time to time (pole fitness, barre, trampoline fitness, Body Pump etc.) but all of my strength training and cardio has been done at home/outside with no gym membership.
When I tried to get fit in the past I would sign up for gym memberships, go hard for a couple months and slowly stop going for different silly reasons.
With my home gym there's no excuses. I have my own setup with the things I only use, it's convenient and is a time-saver and I can blast my own music. I'm always upgrading and buying new things so I don't see having a home as a money saver for me.
Don't you just love the pole classes? I have done a few and they are a total blast. I am pretty athletic and pretty strong but I totally sucked!!! But it was a ton of fun. Will def do more in the future.
And for those of you who have never (and maybe are in the "never have I ever" group...) just think about it. Better yet...dont think: go do it! It really is fun!
Yes! Those classes are awesome! I work so many muscles in my body! There's no need to feel intimidated either. The classes I've been to you can go at your own pace and rhythm, they are fun and quite a workout!0 -
I work out at home. I have a power rack, adjustable bench, olympic bar and plates, EZ curl bar, dumbbells, and am buying a cable attachment for the rack. Mine is in a spare room, and the space is tight, but I make do. Our basement only has 6' ceilings and we don't have a garage.
But, I used to lift at a public gym and went after my daughter went to bed. I was often rushed to get out of there at a decent time or before they closed. I couldn't go in the morning because my hubby left for work too early and I had to be home to get the little one ready for daycare/school. Now, I can sleep in sweats, roll out of bed and start lifting. Or, start after dinner and still put her to bed (though sometimes sweaty).
As an added bonus, as the mom of a daughter now getting close to her tween years, I like that she can see me lift at home. Sometimes she wants to come in and try it out, so I'll let her try the EZ curl bar or dumbbells, and she hangs from the pull up bar. She has started telling me about doing chin ups on the monkey bars at school. I want her to see a woman focus on getting stronger, not just skinnier. I'm sure she will hear enough about dieting and getting skinny at school. At home I want her to hear about nutrition and fitness.2 -
From personal experience, I don't work out as well in my home gym.
At home I have a full power rack, dumb bells up to 80, and enough oly weights to go up to 400, plus a pully system and an adjustable bench with some leg attachments.
I just... don't seem to get as much of a pump at home. I almost ALWAYS get a better workout at the other gyms I go to. I'm not sure why this. Part of it is distraction. Part of it is comfort. Part of it is not wanting to go crazy and damage anything. Part of it might also just be air flow or decor.
So, I still workout at a bunch of different places including home, but definitely prefer the other places.0 -
I work out at home. I have a power rack, adjustable bench, olympic bar and plates, EZ curl bar, dumbbells, and am buying a cable attachment for the rack. Mine is in a spare room, and the space is tight, but I make do. Our basement only has 6' ceilings and we don't have a garage.
But, I used to lift at a public gym and went after my daughter went to bed. I was often rushed to get out of there at a decent time or before they closed. I couldn't go in the morning because my hubby left for work too early and I had to be home to get the little one ready for daycare/school. Now, I can sleep in sweats, roll out of bed and start lifting. Or, start after dinner and still put her to bed (though sometimes sweaty).
As an added bonus, as the mom of a daughter now getting close to her tween years, I like that she can see me lift at home. Sometimes she wants to come in and try it out, so I'll let her try the EZ curl bar or dumbbells, and she hangs from the pull up bar. She has started telling me about doing chin ups on the monkey bars at school. I want her to see a woman focus on getting stronger, not just skinnier. I'm sure she will hear enough about dieting and getting skinny at school. At home I want her to hear about nutrition and fitness.
Amen! Love the mindset! PERFECT!0 -
rainbow198 wrote: »LiftHeavyThings27105 wrote: »rainbow198 wrote: »I've had great results working out from my home gym and very happy with my transformation/progress. I work well on my own, very disciplined and don't need others for motivation so I stay focused. Other people tend to distract me and/or get in my way.
I do take fitness classes in a studio setting from time to time (pole fitness, barre, trampoline fitness, Body Pump etc.) but all of my strength training and cardio has been done at home/outside with no gym membership.
When I tried to get fit in the past I would sign up for gym memberships, go hard for a couple months and slowly stop going for different silly reasons.
With my home gym there's no excuses. I have my own setup with the things I only use, it's convenient and is a time-saver and I can blast my own music. I'm always upgrading and buying new things so I don't see having a home as a money saver for me.
Don't you just love the pole classes? I have done a few and they are a total blast. I am pretty athletic and pretty strong but I totally sucked!!! But it was a ton of fun. Will def do more in the future.
And for those of you who have never (and maybe are in the "never have I ever" group...) just think about it. Better yet...dont think: go do it! It really is fun!
Yes! Those classes are awesome! I work so many muscles in my body! There's no need to feel intimidated either. The classes I've been to you can go at your own pace and rhythm, they are fun and quite a workout!
Oh, I am not intimidated - at all! I am often the only guy in the class (don't ask....). Okay, okay, okay! I am buddies with one of the dancers at the local Gentleman's Club and she is absolutely amazing (travels for competitions) and she has classes on Sundays for the new girls. She knows my interests and invited me one Sunday. Been a few times...other things are more important so I don't go all the time. Have not been in a good while, now that I think of it. Hmm.....might have an update Monday.....:-)0 -
I work out at home. I have a power rack, adjustable bench, olympic bar and plates, EZ curl bar, dumbbells, and am buying a cable attachment for the rack. Mine is in a spare room, and the space is tight, but I make do. Our basement only has 6' ceilings and we don't have a garage.
But, I used to lift at a public gym and went after my daughter went to bed. I was often rushed to get out of there at a decent time or before they closed. I couldn't go in the morning because my hubby left for work too early and I had to be home to get the little one ready for daycare/school. Now, I can sleep in sweats, roll out of bed and start lifting. Or, start after dinner and still put her to bed (though sometimes sweaty).
As an added bonus, as the mom of a daughter now getting close to her tween years, I like that she can see me lift at home. Sometimes she wants to come in and try it out, so I'll let her try the EZ curl bar or dumbbells, and she hangs from the pull up bar. She has started telling me about doing chin ups on the monkey bars at school. I want her to see a woman focus on getting stronger, not just skinnier. I'm sure she will hear enough about dieting and getting skinny at school. At home I want her to hear about nutrition and fitness.
That's great! I've tried to convince my tween daughter to try some lifting but apparently we complain about being sore from lifting too often. She doesn't like being sore, so she doesn't want to try it.0 -
I work out at home. I have a power rack, adjustable bench, olympic bar and plates, EZ curl bar, dumbbells, and am buying a cable attachment for the rack. Mine is in a spare room, and the space is tight, but I make do. Our basement only has 6' ceilings and we don't have a garage.
But, I used to lift at a public gym and went after my daughter went to bed. I was often rushed to get out of there at a decent time or before they closed. I couldn't go in the morning because my hubby left for work too early and I had to be home to get the little one ready for daycare/school. Now, I can sleep in sweats, roll out of bed and start lifting. Or, start after dinner and still put her to bed (though sometimes sweaty).
As an added bonus, as the mom of a daughter now getting close to her tween years, I like that she can see me lift at home. Sometimes she wants to come in and try it out, so I'll let her try the EZ curl bar or dumbbells, and she hangs from the pull up bar. She has started telling me about doing chin ups on the monkey bars at school. I want her to see a woman focus on getting stronger, not just skinnier. I'm sure she will hear enough about dieting and getting skinny at school. At home I want her to hear about nutrition and fitness.LiftHeavyThings27105 wrote: »rainbow198 wrote: »LiftHeavyThings27105 wrote: »rainbow198 wrote: »I've had great results working out from my home gym and very happy with my transformation/progress. I work well on my own, very disciplined and don't need others for motivation so I stay focused. Other people tend to distract me and/or get in my way.
I do take fitness classes in a studio setting from time to time (pole fitness, barre, trampoline fitness, Body Pump etc.) but all of my strength training and cardio has been done at home/outside with no gym membership.
When I tried to get fit in the past I would sign up for gym memberships, go hard for a couple months and slowly stop going for different silly reasons.
With my home gym there's no excuses. I have my own setup with the things I only use, it's convenient and is a time-saver and I can blast my own music. I'm always upgrading and buying new things so I don't see having a home as a money saver for me.
Don't you just love the pole classes? I have done a few and they are a total blast. I am pretty athletic and pretty strong but I totally sucked!!! But it was a ton of fun. Will def do more in the future.
And for those of you who have never (and maybe are in the "never have I ever" group...) just think about it. Better yet...dont think: go do it! It really is fun!
Yes! Those classes are awesome! I work so many muscles in my body! There's no need to feel intimidated either. The classes I've been to you can go at your own pace and rhythm, they are fun and quite a workout!
Oh, I am not intimidated - at all! I am often the only guy in the class (don't ask....). Okay, okay, okay! I am buddies with one of the dancers at the local Gentleman's Club and she is absolutely amazing (travels for competitions) and she has classes on Sundays for the new girls. She knows my interests and invited me one Sunday. Been a few times...other things are more important so I don't go all the time. Have not been in a good while, now that I think of it. Hmm.....might have an update Monday.....:-)
I love both of these perspectives! I only have sons, but I'm glad that they see me lift and be active. And I'm glad that my teenage son is confident enough to be the only boy taking aerial arts. And he has a great physique to show for it.0 -
BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »I work out at home. I have a power rack, adjustable bench, olympic bar and plates, EZ curl bar, dumbbells, and am buying a cable attachment for the rack. Mine is in a spare room, and the space is tight, but I make do. Our basement only has 6' ceilings and we don't have a garage.
But, I used to lift at a public gym and went after my daughter went to bed. I was often rushed to get out of there at a decent time or before they closed. I couldn't go in the morning because my hubby left for work too early and I had to be home to get the little one ready for daycare/school. Now, I can sleep in sweats, roll out of bed and start lifting. Or, start after dinner and still put her to bed (though sometimes sweaty).
As an added bonus, as the mom of a daughter now getting close to her tween years, I like that she can see me lift at home. Sometimes she wants to come in and try it out, so I'll let her try the EZ curl bar or dumbbells, and she hangs from the pull up bar. She has started telling me about doing chin ups on the monkey bars at school. I want her to see a woman focus on getting stronger, not just skinnier. I'm sure she will hear enough about dieting and getting skinny at school. At home I want her to hear about nutrition and fitness.
That's great! I've tried to convince my tween daughter to try some lifting but apparently we complain about being sore from lifting too often. She doesn't like being sore, so she doesn't want to try it.
Yes, luckily my daughter is only 9. I know it will only get harder as she gets older. Trying to shove as many positive influences in her brain as possible before self doubt, poor body image, and peer pressure try to get in there too.0
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