Any benefit of going to the gym rather than working out at home?

Question

Any that you can think of?

Hanjheo · Accepted Answer

1. Some enjoy the social atmosphere and variety at a gym.

2. Equipment. Do you want to spend $100,000 (or more) on expensive gym equipment? (I did though) Gyms have it all for you. This greatly expands the list of exercise options you have when designing a workout program.

3. Spotters. There's always people at the gym, and if you ever need a spot, there will always be someone to ask. This is crucial for maintaining proper safety while lifting. A 300lb bar crashing on your neck is no good.

4. Dumbbells. This could go under equipment, but I look at it as a different category, because it's huge. It is much too expensive to buy your own set of dumbbells ranging from 5-150lbs.

5. Price. In the beginning, it is much cheaper to get a membership to a gym for a year than it is to buy enough equipment to have your own reasonable home gym.

But just like there's advantages, there's disadvantages. Such as

1. Distractions. You go to the gym to workout, not to chat with other members. Gyms can be too distracting for many people, whether it be their workout pals or fitness chicks, socialization in the gym takes away from your workout.

2. Lack Of Freedom. You can't just do whatever you want in a gym. You also can't sprawl across the middle of the gym floor after.

3. Waiting In Line. A lot of gyms get extremely crowded during certain days and times, and those days and times may be the only day and time that you can get to the gym. If you're doing a fatigue related workout with short rest periods, this becomes impossible when there's a line to use the squat rack.

4. Location. Sometimes, the closest gym to you, won't be that close. It becomes very inconvenient to drive 30 minutes away to get to the gym. This might even stop some bodybuilders from doing their workouts because they don't feel like driving 30 minutes to workout.

5. Hygiene. For the most part, gyms are pretty clean. But I'm sure that you wouldn't like to walk over to the bench to find a nice little puddle of sweat where your head is supposed to go, thanks to the 300lb man trying to get in shape.

But there's lots of advantages and disadvantages of home gyms as well. Especially if you can't afford the equipment.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

It definitely differs per person. Some people feel more motivated by having to go somewhere, because if you try to work out at home you can get easily distracted and start to do something else. At the gym, your only option is to work out. Some people feel that seeing others working out helps to motivate them, but others feel intimidated seeing others working out so that's why they'd rather work out at home.

It also depends on what kind of work out you want. If you're just going to go to the gym to run on the treadmill, well you can totally just run at home. But gyms usually have equipment that is much more expensive and takes up a lot of space so it's too much for someone to have at home.

Gym membership can also include classes and a personal trainer (depending on the gym and your membership level). Having a personal trainer is great because it's someone motivating you to work out and also showing you the specific workouts you should do to see your desired result.

JohnDoe3000 · Accepted Answer

Having other people around you to motivate you and having specialized equipment for workouts that are hard to do at home. But in principle you can do all the workouts you need with a minimal investment in equipment that fits in your house: 1 heavy dumbbell, 1 light dumbbell, a pull-up bar, a towel/yogamat/bathrobe (so doing crunches on a hard floor won't hurt your back) and a chair (so you don't hurt your back working the heavy dumbbell). For cardio you need sneakers to run, or a bicycle to go cycling.

MrAtticusLebowski · Accepted Answer

Good question. Off the top of my head, not everyone has space or can accommodate exercise equipment. Especially if you live in an Apt. not on the ground floor.

It also depends on what you're trying to accomplish, exercise wise. For example i could easily but a squat rack, adjustable bench, weights and maybe a battle rope and would be ok not going to a gym.

kaylaS91 · Answer

There's a lot more equipment at the gym than I could ever have at home. More variety in terms of types as well as weights. Plus, my home could never provide the eye-candy I can enjoy at the gym while working out. :P

Stardust143 · Answer

A lot more equipment, pool, hot tub, sauna, basketball court, fitness classes, PT sessions, etc. Maybe pressure to work out since you're paying for membership, and also the motivation of everyone else being there to work out too. If you go with a friend, that can help as well.

dpg91 · Answer

Equipment is by far the biggest benefit of the gym for me. I bought an adjustable dumbbell set when I was younger - it quickly became inadequate so I joined the gym and never looked back. Variety of weights, proper benches, barbells, cable and resistance machines etc.

Kuraj · Answer

Some muscle groups are hard to exercise without the proper equipment.
But if your goal is just to lose weight or something, then there are few benefits that would outweigh the membership costs.

I personally work out at home and I never felt it being inadequate.
But I do have some basic equipment. (weights benches etc)

kittykatbrat · Answer

For me... its taking new classes and trialling new equipment. I'm not a member... just an occasional visitor.

drakeondegrassi · Answer

the motivation of having others around you, and you feel awkward quitting after 10 minutes helps me.

Josht13 · Answer

If no one can see your gainz then are they really there?

AhGojira · Answer

You get to lay on other peoples sweat, wait to use equipment, find parking spots, and give them your money.

somebodysaycheese · Answer

weights. Thats the only benefits i see from the gym is getting in weight training.

Xfitchick · Answer

More variety, heavy weights and trainers you can ask advice to.

meatballs21 · Answer

More, and better equipment to use. Access to trainers and classes. More space.

Jan1ssary_ · Answer

U have chance to see a lot of sexy chicks, which encourages me to lift more :D

brewersfan01 · Answer

i much prefer the gym. i like the atmosphere and workin out with other people. more equipment and therefore can get a better workout in.

Chadette · Answer

Access to certain equipment you might not have at home.

Anonymous · Answer

Better equipment and people make it more interesting

Aweir · Answer

There isn't in my opinion.

iFarted · Answer

Hot girls with hot bodies

Decentguy · Answer

proper equipment

HulkkSmash · Answer

Hot bitches

Any benefit of going to the gym rather than working out at home?

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