Working out at home

HeidiCooksSupper wrote: »

Just FYI for those thinking of setting up a home gym: used weight machines, benches, etc. are CHEAP! Watch Craig's list, ebay, thrift stores, etc. I had a big home gym machine where I used to live and finally ended up giving it away to charity. You can probably get a $2000 machine for as little as $200.

Don't know where you are but around here stores can't keep any exercise equipment in stock and people selling their used stuff are getting 50%+ more in many cases than pre-Covid and if you're not the first one there you're too late.

It's a seller's market.

Whydahdad71 wrote: »

Do any of you here feel nervous about going to the gym due to Covid - 19?

I don't even want to go to physical therapy or get a hair cut these days, let alone go to the gym.

It's been too hot for me to get my cardio outside like I usually do, which has forced me to get creative inside.

I am stuck in home gym again this week(possible exposure so I am keeping to myself). I love my home gym when: I want to blare loud music, I don’t feel like putting on socially acceptable workout clothing, when I don’t want to spend time driving. I love the gym gym when: I need more variety, I have planned a workout that uses heavier plates than I have, and if I already have to do town errands because then I have to get out and get moving with a time limit.

They both have their pluses. They both have negatives. Do what works for you.

I’ve been working out at home since the gym closed in March (it’s been open for months now, but I’m still working out at home).

Pro: no commute, can split workouts to fit into schedule, can do multiple shorter workouts instead of one long session. I tend to walk/bike outside more than when I went to the gym.

Con: lack of motivation. Easy to be distracted by children, chores, other things that need to get done and cut things short. I push myself harder with weights at the gym bc I’m more focused. I only have a treadmill and weight set up, so I miss the stair treadmill and elliptical for pushing myself without killing my hips (I get overuse injuries from walking/running too much, wish I could mix things up). Weights are in garage, so not climate controlled and sometimes spiders fall on me, so that’s not helping the motivation/concentration either 😆

I love it ! There are many exercise videos on youtube to follow . I like to mix it up. This morning I did a basic kickboxing workout . It was so much fun!

I have a gym membership and it's right down the road, but it's all fit skinny people working out. There is no mask mandate but the cleaning crew does a great job.

Pros -
We have a pool so I can swim pretty much at any time during the warmer months.
I can fart with my situps (haha)
I am not embarrassed by my size and not self aware
The music can be as loud as I want it !
I can wear whatever I want (and have worked out in my jammies before)

Cons -
If it's a busy work day I tend not to do it
There are constant interruptions between work and the animals
it's too easy to eat before or after
Lack of variety, but I can hike as much as I want

For me, the biggest con for working out from home vs a decent gym is just variety of equipment.

During covid last year I found a small weight rack set on FB for pretty reasonable that lets me do everything in terms of muscle groups and lift types, with a few modifications or alternatives. But I do miss having access to a full set of dumbbells plus the little extras like lots of different types of machines/cable set ups/benches, etc.

And while I am not a social person at the gym, it was nice to have other humans around even if I didn't want to interact with them much LOL. At home, it's just you and your workout and it can kinda feel like you're in it alone after awhile. You also need space for it all - thankfully I've got a "bonus" room in the house I'm renting on the garage floor level, so it works out, but may be problematic if/when I move (unless I'm buying in which case that'll already be a consideration).

Pros to working out at home: even if I only have 15 minutes, I can go workout (rather than it taking that long just to get to car, to the gym, park, and get inside). The not needing to drive somewhere is great. Don't need to mess around with locker rooms n gross showers or lines. No one to get annoyed if I'm hogging something for an extended period. I can set up a rotation with different weights and I'm not getting in anyone's way or causing issues by using a bunch of different things at once. Never having to wait for the machine or weights I want to use. I can blast my music (no ear buds or wires or phones to tote around). Doesn't matter where I leave my water bottle. My cat and dog like hanging out with me while I'm working out. Did I mention not driving?