Starting a Home Gym: Pros, Cons and How-Tos

​Have you ever thought about building a home gym? Especially now with all these New Year’s specials on fitness equipment? The thought of a home gym is a compelling reason to start your healthy resolution. I mean why not? It offers a range of benefits in terms of flexibility and convenience. However, before you rush and grab that hot deal on those treadmills, below are few points to consider so you can decide the approach that best fits your fitness goals:

What are the advantages of owning a home gym?
Why owning a home gym might NOT be a good idea?
Winning strategies of a successful home gym
Must-have list to start a successful home gym
If money and space is not a problem, then invest in these for a home gym

What are the advantages of owning a home gym?

Time Efficient workouts
Going to a gym for a workout can often waste our time on little things, such as preparing to go, driving all the way to the gym, finding parking, getting a locker, and then waiting to get your turn on the machines or the shower during busy periods. At home this isn’t a problem.

Freedom and flexibility 
You can take a break if something urgent comes up and then continue your workout again. You can decide what to wear, what music to listen to, how to lift your weights and do whatever you want. Basically, you are in control of your workout and everything else.

Cost
A gym membership can be expensive. A CNBC report revealed that the average monthly fees for a gym can be between $40 to $50 a month, to as much as $800 after you add in all fees like initiation (1). The same amount can be used to buy your own equipment. 

Hygiene 
Although gym rules and etiquette dictate that gym members must wipe their equipment after use, how many really do that? This problem does not exist if you are the only one using that equipment at home.

Why owning a home gym might NOT be a good idea
Here are some of the most crucial downsides associated with having a home gym:

Psychological role in home gyms
Our mind strongly interacts with the environment around us. It very well understands that home means comfort, rest and relaxation. According to research published in The Sociological Review Journal, our brain considers home to be a sanctuary and a source of relief. Therefore, considering your home to be a place where you work rigorously hard can be especially challenging in the long run (2).
This is the reason why it is more logical to choose your basement or some other less inviting place at your home for setting up a gym.

Expenses Vs. Impulse buying
When it comes to home gyms, many people end up losing track of their expenses and buying the home gym equipment out of impulse buying. More studies are showing that emotional impulse purchases often end up sitting at home uselessly and people often don’t use them (3). 

The true hidden cost of home fitness equipment
The cost of some home fitness equipment (like treadmills, ellipticals, or all-in-one cable machines) can easily be in the thousands of dollars. Yet, we forget to factor in other long-term expenses like maintenance and expensive repairs, especially after the warranty expires. Another important financial aspect to consider is the cost-per-use. For example, if you buy a treadmill for $1,000 and after one year, you only used it 20 times, then each time you run on that treadmill it costs you $50 a run!

Other things to consider
When you are training at home you lose the chance to socialize with people. Also, how hard or effective your training is completely depending on you. You are responsible for the cleaning of the equipment and finally you don’t get access to the wide variety of equipment that commercial gyms offer.

Now that we listed the Pros and Cons of owning a home gym, let’s go over some Winning strategies of a successful home gym: 

Enough safe space
A small home gym wouldn’t require a lot of space. A space of a small area rug (5’x8’) is plenty for a one-person workout space. Add 2 more feet (5’x10’) for each additional person who joins you. Just remember to clear the surrounding of any items that can pose danger, like lamps and vases.
Having an internet-connected laptop with good speakers (or a wall-mounted TV with a DVD player) helps if you are planning on following training videos. 

Temperature and lights
According to International Fitness Association, temperature impacts your workout and a gym should have an average temperature of 65 to 68 degrees (18-20 degrees Celsius) and a humidity level around 40% - 60% (4). Lighting also matters a lot. The rule of thumb is to keep the lights natural and bright.

Eliminate distractions
If you work at home, you probably set up your work space with minimal distractions. The same should be applied to your workout space. If possible, workout in the times with least interruptions (kids, phone calls, etc.).
Plan your training ahead and think progressive
To work in the right direction and to keep your commitment strong, plan your workout ahead of time and periodically challenge yourself. Lucky for us, free help is only a click away with online trainers, fitness apps and workout DVDs.  

Must-have list to start a successful home gym

The below list is an excellent starter list to get an endless variety of workouts completed at home.

• Mat: Look for 70” x 23” with at least 3/8” in thickness
• Balance or Stability Ball: Look for ball size of 55cm (in diameter) if you are between 5 feet to 5 feet, 6 inches tall. 65cm if you are 5’7” to 6’2” and 75cm if you are taller than 6’2”
• Resistance cables: Get at least 3 different levels (light, medium, and heavy) so you can advance in your workout. Don’t forget to get a door anchor to help you safely attach your cables to doors
• BOSU ball: This ball combines the benefits of a stability ball with advantages of a Step platform
• Stackable dumbbell set

If money and space is not a problem, then invest in these for a dream home gym

• Separate room dedicated for the gym
• Wall mirrors to help you gauge your form and correct your posture
• Wall-mounted Smart TV with DVD / Blue Ray player
• Sound system with good speakers
• Connected rubber floor mates
• Dumbbell rack
• An All-in-one Home Gym machine 
• An adjustable bench and a Smith machine
• Cardio equipment of preference

So here you have it. The Pros and Cons of starting a home gym. In the end, your goal is all about a great workout that can help you feel better and see results. Where you get it done, is entirely up to you.

Happy Healthy Transformation!
Your Trainer,
Rami

References
(1) CNBC: The True Cost of Gym Memberships
(2) Mallett, S. (2004). Understanding home: a critical review of the literature. The sociological review, 52(1), 62-89.
(3) Baumeister, R. F. (2002). Yielding to temptation: Self-control failure, impulsive purchasing, and consumer behavior. Journal of consumer Research, 28(4), 670-676.
(4) https://www.ifafitness.com/health/temperature.htm