I was wondering if anyone else was as passionate about working out in a home gym rather that going to a regular gym as I am? I love having everything in my home. When I get off work, I can come home and immediately workout. No excuses, no traffic, no waiting for equipment, no other sweaty bodies, no distractions. Anyone feel the same, or the exact opposite? I'd love to hear the arguments.
home gym versus regular gym
- Thread starter Kowen
- Start date
I will be the first to post for the regular gym. I had a home gym (actually it was a 2 car storage unit with about $6000 worth of equipment in it) I found that there are a few big problems at the home gym.
- you are always the best guy. Which is a bad thing
- There is nobody there to help or answer questions
- It is hard to meet training partners
- There is nobody there to help. Teaching is just as good for learning as being taught.
- no matter how much equipment you have there is always more that you want or need.
I like the privacy and convenience of my home gym. I have no problem pushing myself or Rocken the current workout to push past the previous workout and making it productive in the progression sense. The only drawback is having not having a spotter when I need one (like with the Squat, though Im pushing 300lbs with my sticks), so I have to be extra careful here and sometimes have to cut a rep or two of short of failure, but it hasnt hurt progression (optimal not likely), but it is working nonetheless.
Ever have to do the old bench press "roll the bar down your body" when you bet on another rep and lost?
I'm going for home gym purely because the only gyms available to me are more 'health clubs' which I hate from the very darkest depths of my soul. Lol, maybe that's a bit over the top but I love my own gym so I could drop barbells on the floor, practise bare foot deadlifting, use chalk etc...
Goergen made some good points but I think they only relate to those people who like to be around others. I don't even like eye contact when I'm in the gym, being isolated would improve my performance for sure
Goergen made some good points but I think they only relate to those people who like to be around others. I don't even like eye contact when I'm in the gym, being isolated would improve my performance for sure
Admittingly, yes......to many times to count. LOL. I have had red streaks and bruises on my abs in the past because of this. But the squat is a different beast: One doesnt want to screw up alone when it gets close to failure. There are definate drawbacks.
As handy as it is to have everything at home, I focus better at the gym. I still learn from, and get motivated by, the people around me. It's easy to slack off, have bad form or not do that last rep when no one is watching. That may sound lame, but I want to beat the guy next to me and if the guy next to me is a foot tall beagle, it's just too easy.
I would love to have everything needed at home. Gyms are so expensive and you have to drive to get to them. I'm currently working out at school in the school weight room. Once I'm done with college, I have to figure something else out.
I prefer training at a gym or designated place for some of the same reasons Goergen listed...but I'll add that I'm one of those people who always says, "I'll do it when I get home." The problem is, once I get home, all I want to do is lay around, eat, and post on internet forums.
In fact, an hour ago I said the same thing about studying...which...isn't happening right now.
Even if I had everything I needed at home (I don't) I have a feeling I wouldn't be able to keep the same intensity I have at a good gym.
Of course, when you compare ****ty health clubs and home gyms, it's kind of like choosing the lesser of two evils, where the home gym is not really evil at all...
In fact, an hour ago I said the same thing about studying...which...isn't happening right now.
Even if I had everything I needed at home (I don't) I have a feeling I wouldn't be able to keep the same intensity I have at a good gym.
Of course, when you compare ****ty health clubs and home gyms, it's kind of like choosing the lesser of two evils, where the home gym is not really evil at all...
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I went to a regular gym for a couple of years before my shoulder injury and, whilst it was great for equipment /weights / motivation etc, it was one of those gyms which was contantly marketing to bring in new members without actually increasing / improving any of the facilities. It eventually became too crowded to enjoy going anymore. I miss some of the people there but, there were also a healthy number of idiots who I am more than happy not to encounter anymore.
At home, I never have to wait for a bench or the squat rack, the excercise bike & cross trainer are always available and I get to choose the background music
At home, I never have to wait for a bench or the squat rack, the excercise bike & cross trainer are always available and I get to choose the background music
You ain't kidding there my friend..lol..No, but, on a serious note, I actually prefer working out from home mainly because of the distractions that one can encounter at a public gym. When I'm working out, I'm in that zone and I do not allow anything or anyone for that matter get to my head because I'm very focused on each task at hand. Bodybuilding is all about pure focus and proper technique. Unfortunately, the only distraction that can occur with me at home is with the misses and for those of you who are married and or in a relationship and living with that person, you know exactly what I mean. I used to workout at Bally's Total Fitness and the one thing I did missed greatly was the interaction with people. I enjoy socializing and learning new techniques, receiving new advices etc. It has help me a great deal and I'm always open minded for suggestion as it will only benefit you in a positive way.
...also I hate what a lot of gyms have become. When you join, you feel like you're buying a used car.
They won't tell you the price over the phone, you have to go in and talk to some cheesy salesman and sign a contract etc.
I liked the 1st gym I ever joined. It was a good old iron pumping gym. You paid $25 a month as you went or they'd have deals like 4 months for $80 Everyone knew your name when you walked in, they'd help you if you wanted or leave you alone if you wanted. They even let one guy who didn't have much money work off his membership taking out trash, cleaning up etc.
They won't tell you the price over the phone, you have to go in and talk to some cheesy salesman and sign a contract etc.
I liked the 1st gym I ever joined. It was a good old iron pumping gym. You paid $25 a month as you went or they'd have deals like 4 months for $80 Everyone knew your name when you walked in, they'd help you if you wanted or leave you alone if you wanted. They even let one guy who didn't have much money work off his membership taking out trash, cleaning up etc.
You're taking a class right? So are you just taking the class over and over? Texas past a law a few years ago that you cannot take the same class more than twice.. even if you withdrawl, it still counts as 1.