Here at Crown Pavilions, we have seen the number of garden gym room designs and installations skyrocket in these last few years.
It’s easy to understand why home gyms have become so popular, the commuter lifestyle simply leaves you with less time and energy to go to the gym. With a garden gym room, you can just roll out of bed, and stroll straight into your home gym where it’s open 24/7, 7 days a week!
Exercising regularly has been shown to help boost energy levels and enhance your mood, as well as contributing to overall well-being and health. Whether it’s going for a 30-minute run, a home workout, or an intense gym session, any form of exercise is great and better than nothing. But with so much variety, people are often faced with the tricky decision of where to exercise: at home or the gym.
The Pros of Working Out at Home
Accessibility
The biggest advantage that home workouts have over going to the gym is that they are truly accessible and highly convenient. Whether you’re an early bird, a night owl, or have a busy work schedule, you can fit in your workout session at whatever time works best for you without being restricted by your gym’s opening hours.
Cost
Some gym memberships can be more expensive than anticipated, especially with their hidden signing up fees. With home workouts, there is no monthly membership fee, or any money required. All you need is yourself and some space. You may have to invest in a few key items like dumbbells or resistance bands, but even these are rather inexpensive, and much more affordable than a gym membership.
Variety
You can tailor your home gym and workouts to meet your personal fitness needs and goals. With many fitness apps, live classes available to stream, and workout videos, home workouts are great for everyone because of just how diverse they are. The ability to customise every workout is great for those of you who may want to ease into your fitness journey.
The Cons of Working Out at Home
Procrastination
Motivating yourself to work out and hit the gym can be a challenge. However, when you’re at home, the comfort of being in your own space often can be a temptation to skip your workouts or get started on those chores that you have put off for months!
Space
Unless if you have a dedicated gym garden room, or some open space for gym equipment and machines, you may be rather limited with workout space at home compared to being at the gym.
No Accountability
Sometimes you need the added pressure of everyone working out around you, or having someone there to yell at you pushing yourself to complete that last rep. It can be hard to truly challenge yourself.
The Pros of Working Out at The Gym
Facilities and Equipment
Depending on what you want to achieve with your fitness, some routines and workouts require you to use certain equipment or weights that you may not be able to have at home. Items like barbells, cable machines, or specialised resistance equipment are often almost always found in gyms, whereas at a home gym you’ll need the sufficient space for them. Gyms often provide amenities such as saunas, pools, and group fitness classes, allowing you to diversify your workout routine but also allowing you to try out different activities and experiences.
Inspiration
The environment and atmosphere at a gym can be a great motivator. The thumping music, surrounded by people working up a sweat can be a great inspiration for you to give every session 110%.
Membership Obligations
Paying a monthly gym membership is a great incentive to working out as you want to make sure that your money is not wasted. Investing in a gym membership isn’t just a financial commitment, but also a personal commitment to your dedication in improving your health and well-being. The cost of a gym membership is just a mere reminder of this.
The Cons of Working Out at The Gym
Busy Environment
In the fast-paced rhythm of our daily lives, evenings often emerge as the best time to go to the gym. Yet, this is the same for many others too, resulting in the gym becoming an overstimulating bustling hub of activity, vying with fellow gym-goers for space and equipment. Sometimes in these circumstances, it can feel more like a test of patience rather than a productive workout session.
Lack of Privacy
As motivating and inspiring as a gym can be, the bustling crowds and shared facilities often leave little room for personal space. For those who aren’t as confident or are a little anxious of being in the gym, this can create some feelings of discomfort or self-consciousness.
The choice between going to the gym versus a home workout does ultimately depend on you as an individual and what works best for you. Both options have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, but what they do offer is a plethora of opportunities for staying active and healthy. We’re dedicated to supporting your fitness journey, whether crafting your dream garden gym room, or helping you decide where to exercise.