The allure of modern gyms can be hard to resist, no? What are the pros and cons? Let us examine the obvious
disadvantages of gym membership. One of the biggest drawbacks of training at a
commercial gym is the time required to drive to the gym. Sometimes one
spends more time driving to the gym than actually working out.
Next on the list is the money spent on gas. And let's not discuss the sizable
down payments that some gyms require, not to mention the monthly
dues... It quickly becomes obvious that it is totally possible to spend
close to $1,000 a year or more on the associated gym fees and the fuel
expense. For many the sum is exorbitant, especially in the
recessionary environment. What to do then?
The obvious answer is to build a home gym. A small amount of research and price comparison will be necessary, to be sure. Often the devoted trainee will cobble together a gym, gradually adding equipment as his knowledge and development increase. A sensible approach. Consequently, it becomes unnecessary to run out and purchase an expensive new-fangled home gym behemoth. Better to be content with incremental improvement.
The trainee in time will realize gradual but definite improvement in his/her fitness goals. At this juncture new equipment will most likely re-enter the picture. The object of desire will consist of a dumbell rack with weights ranging from ten pounds all the way up to the big hundreds. The plot thickens. Not surprisingly, most home gyms reside in the basement or the garage, or the mancave.
What is the significnce? Is it sheer lunacy spending several hundreds of dollars on assorted gym implements? It's a hell of a way to impress your pals at the Lodge, that's for sure. The purchase of new equipment can often(not always, though) lead to more consistent usage and a higher level of fitness as a result. Bragging rights will be an added bonus.
The biggest disadvantage of owning a home gym is the necessity of periodically moving the equipment if the lifter is an apartment dweller. This is a non-issue for home owners (lucky bastards!). It's no fun climbing a flight of stairs with a 130 lb. barbell on your shoulders...several times. Thankfully, it isn't too difficult to trick friends and family into helping with most moves. Usually.
Another big disadvantage of training alone in one's home gym is the lack of a spotter. This is probably why serious weightlifters always join a gym. A training partner who's really pumped up about lifting will usually bring out the best in the fitness enthusiast. If your partner is benching 3 plates and you're only able to press 2, there's a pretty good chance that you'll close the gap shortly. Also, you can pick up alot of advanced training methods at a commercial gym and increase your progress as a result.
The home trainee will have to be informed, disciplined and highly motivated if he desires to extract maximum utility from his equipment. Otherwise the equipment will become a not-so-gentle reminder of a bad investment. Many devotees have thoughtlessly purchased ab rollers, medicine balls, soloflexes etc., with the intention of acquiring that six-pack just in time for summer. The devices eventually end up collecting dust in the closet or in the garage. All can be avoided with a little bit of follow-through and discipline.
Money spent on a home gym is a great investment. A trip to the local gym will add variety to be sure. Unfortunately commercial gyms are packed like sardines from 5-10 pm. Upper body anything will be out of the question. It seems hopeless. Unless training lower body, that is. Very few people are inclined to perform any lower body exercises. They'll learn.
Join a gym or train at home? Train at home, hands down. The great thing about it is that one could build the gym gradually. Dumbells were procured ranging from 20 lbs. to 60 lbs. More equipment can be added, as space allows. Training at one's own gym is the most logical choice.
The obvious answer is to build a home gym. A small amount of research and price comparison will be necessary, to be sure. Often the devoted trainee will cobble together a gym, gradually adding equipment as his knowledge and development increase. A sensible approach. Consequently, it becomes unnecessary to run out and purchase an expensive new-fangled home gym behemoth. Better to be content with incremental improvement.
The trainee in time will realize gradual but definite improvement in his/her fitness goals. At this juncture new equipment will most likely re-enter the picture. The object of desire will consist of a dumbell rack with weights ranging from ten pounds all the way up to the big hundreds. The plot thickens. Not surprisingly, most home gyms reside in the basement or the garage, or the mancave.
What is the significnce? Is it sheer lunacy spending several hundreds of dollars on assorted gym implements? It's a hell of a way to impress your pals at the Lodge, that's for sure. The purchase of new equipment can often(not always, though) lead to more consistent usage and a higher level of fitness as a result. Bragging rights will be an added bonus.
The biggest disadvantage of owning a home gym is the necessity of periodically moving the equipment if the lifter is an apartment dweller. This is a non-issue for home owners (lucky bastards!). It's no fun climbing a flight of stairs with a 130 lb. barbell on your shoulders...several times. Thankfully, it isn't too difficult to trick friends and family into helping with most moves. Usually.
Another big disadvantage of training alone in one's home gym is the lack of a spotter. This is probably why serious weightlifters always join a gym. A training partner who's really pumped up about lifting will usually bring out the best in the fitness enthusiast. If your partner is benching 3 plates and you're only able to press 2, there's a pretty good chance that you'll close the gap shortly. Also, you can pick up alot of advanced training methods at a commercial gym and increase your progress as a result.
The home trainee will have to be informed, disciplined and highly motivated if he desires to extract maximum utility from his equipment. Otherwise the equipment will become a not-so-gentle reminder of a bad investment. Many devotees have thoughtlessly purchased ab rollers, medicine balls, soloflexes etc., with the intention of acquiring that six-pack just in time for summer. The devices eventually end up collecting dust in the closet or in the garage. All can be avoided with a little bit of follow-through and discipline.
Money spent on a home gym is a great investment. A trip to the local gym will add variety to be sure. Unfortunately commercial gyms are packed like sardines from 5-10 pm. Upper body anything will be out of the question. It seems hopeless. Unless training lower body, that is. Very few people are inclined to perform any lower body exercises. They'll learn.
Join a gym or train at home? Train at home, hands down. The great thing about it is that one could build the gym gradually. Dumbells were procured ranging from 20 lbs. to 60 lbs. More equipment can be added, as space allows. Training at one's own gym is the most logical choice.
No comments:
Post a Comment