The Pros And Cons Of Working Out From Home

Last updated on : June 26 2021

Introduction

In modern-day society, some of the most prevalent problems are those of excess and the resultant ill health. 

We simply have too much at our disposal, readily and easily. For most of us, this includes too much food and, conversely, not enough exercise. 

Children in the United States of America, for example, have become far more likely to be diagnosed with high cholesterol or diabetes in recent years. These health concerns are primarily a result of the overabundance of cheap, high-calorie foods, and a lack of exercise.

While in the past, people struggled to meet their basic needs; today, people struggle to not over-consume and struggle to find determination and time to exercise.

Exercising from home might help you solve these dilemmas - and boost your immune system too, leading to overall better health. 

Working Out From Home

We often associate exercise regimens with working out at a gym, or some other location that is outside of our home, such as going for a walk in the park.

While this is completely fine, it is worth considering whether you can meet your exercise goals more efficiently by working out from home.

There are solid reasons for working out from home. Finance and weather do not need to obstruct your workout, neither does a lack of time, which all these may do when sourcing your workout location elsewhere.

You will also have privacy, which can be great for people who feel nervous in social settings or worry about judgments on their body or fitness levels while working out.

Working out at home has become such a popular topic lately. However, there are downsides too, so below we've listed out the pros and cons of working out from home.  

Read More - 11 Ways To Mentally Refresh After A Stressful Day

Pros Of Working Out At Home

There's a variety of benefits that may make working out from home a better choice for you. These vary from financial considerations right to ensuring any forms of anxiety don't hamper your chances of exercising.

Less anxiety

When you enter a gym for the first time, it can be quite daunting trying to learn the equipment and maneuver around other gym-goers.

For those with social anxiety, it can be a real challenge not only to enter the gym space but also to exercise in front of others.

For people who have a low fitness level or are conscious about aspects of their body that they dislike, this can make the process of exercising at a gym feel impossible.

Many people expect they have to look a certain way and have a certain level of strength or fitness to 'fit in' at a gym. This expectation causes avoidance due to feelings of anxiety about gym usage.

Anxieties may also revolve around the level of cleanliness of gym equipment and the germs and bacteria created by other people's sweat residue.

When you work out at home, these self-imposed social pressures are removed thanks to the level of privacy of your home.

With no other people around you, you are free to exercise your way, including what you wear, how slowly you take your routines, how clean your space is, and even how long you workout.

Flexibility

While 24-hour gyms do exist, they may not be convenient for you due to any caring responsibilities you may have, transport problems, or anything else that may get in the way.

Plus, not all gyms operate on a 24-hour basis, so the ones local to you and within your price range may not even be open when you want to train.

You remove this problem when working out at home as you can pick the hours you train. You can get up early to workout, stay up late, or even do an exercise with the kids mid-afternoon.

There is a lot more opportunity to work out when you're at home that will not require as much planning.

Low-cost

Working out from home can be low, or no, cost. You may choose to workout based on your knowledge of exercises, or tutorials you have found online, that don't require any equipment.

If you prefer, it is possible to get some types of workout equipment at a reasonably low cost. Having a set of weights or other training equipment may further allow you to complete your exercise at home.

You can also be a little more flexible about what you train in, a pair of leggings for instance, rather than expensive gym wear.

You won't need to fund either an annual or monthly subscription, either.

Working out at home can be particularly suitable for people who don't have financial or job security that would make monthly payments difficult for them.

Cons Of Working Out At Home

Finances

Stating finances as a con may sound confusing because we have just told you that working out from home is low-cost. It can be, but it all depends on the kind of workout you want.

If you want to use weights or low-cost resistance equipment, yes, it will keep costs down.

However, if you're going to start putting together your own fully equipped home gym, then the prices will start adding up.

It may be worthwhile considering a solely home workout if you require no, or little equipment.

Or, those who still want to use gym equipment can combine home and gym workouts, and spend the time saving up for new pieces.

Easy excuses

While working out at home can be great to fit into your schedule, the ease of access can also make excuses more likely.

You may have every intention of working out daily, but one day's worth of reasons not to can double until you're right back where you started.

There is also no consequence to you making excuses, not to workout.

When you have a gym membership, the result is that you've wasted money by not using your monthly payment as entirely as you can.

When you're at home, the only consequence is to your fitness level, and this may not be at the forefront of people's minds like their finances are.

Space

Space can be a big issue when working out from home. You can look at this issue in several different ways.

Firstly, there is the space you need to complete your workout or to store equipment afterward.

For a lot of people, having excess space may be an issue, and therefore it might not be feasible for you to complete a workout from home correctly.

The second issue of space relates to the concept of having a set area for you to complete your workout.

It is all too easy to get distracted by other members of the household, phone calls, knocks at the door, or any other activity that may be going on in your home and surrounding area.

If you want a dedicated space for working out, then going to a gym may be a far better option for you than attempting the same regime in a bustling household.

Benefits Of An Exercise Regime

Regular exercise has incredibly far-reaching effects on the body, physically as well as mentally.

One of the benefits of exercise is that your physical fitness improves, from regulating gut flora to improving our cardiovascular health. 

Also, scientific studies show that in cases of mild to moderate depression, exercise can be as effective as pharmaceutical intervention.

These factors show how much exercise can benefit the human body. Regular exercise can improve every aspect of health that is imaginable physically as well as providing superior support for your overall mental health.

It is not uncommon for people to be surprised by how good they feel once they have been exercising for a little while - especially composite exercises like squats or deadlifts. 

Sometimes, people comment that they did not realize how bad they felt, either physically or mentally, before working out because they are so used to feeling lethargic or in a negative mindset.

The Importance Of Diet And Exercise

It is obvious why people choose fast food over healthier options.

People don't have the time or don't want to use their spare time to cook healthy meals from home, so fast food becomes a matter of convenience that fits into their schedule.

Likewise, it can be cheaper to buy over-processed foods rather than fruit, vegetables, and quality cuts of meat, so people will opt to conserve their finances.

However, the combination of eating poorly, and no exercise will lead to you being overweight with severe health issues. Therefore you should look to improve both your diet and your exercise routine. 

Working out from home might make it easier to accomplish your exercise goals; however, without the proper diet, you won't be achieving more complete health goals.

You can't exercise away a bad diet, although getting some exercise is, of course, better than none.

Conclusion

Overall, it is irrelevant if you work out at home, in the park, or at a gym. The critical factor to consider is your dedication to exercise, and watching the workout mistakes that can hurt your fitness goals. 

If you have the motivation and commitment to a minimum of 30 minutes at least five days a week, as advised by the NHS, then it is highly likely you will see similar if not better results than you would at a gym.

It can be a little more challenging to get started with at-home workouts because there are more distractions than there are at the gym; however, once you get started, you are more likely to stick to it when you are working out at home.

Also, when starting, it may be worthwhile booking one or two sessions with a personal trainer to create a personalized workout plan for your fitness level, body type, and goals. This workout plan will prepare you well for exercising at home.

Medical Opinion

It is vital that, before commencing any kind of fitness regime, you ensure that this will not cause you any health problems. Be mindful of your health, including pre-existing conditions, and speak to a Doctor before undertaking exercise. A doctor will advise you on the best type of activity for you, considering any circumstances, as well as give you support on a weight loss journey.

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