Home Gyms: Worth it?

[Royal Heart]

Sup JUBers,

So I went looking for a gym that was near my house or place of work, or at least within walking distance of my bus route. There is one, but it's for women only. I figure I have a couple choices:

1. Get my license, buy a car, drive to a gym
2. Buy a home gym

I've decided to go with option number two. I was last in a gym about a year ago in Vancouver before I moved home to Regina, so I'm not a complete newb. I'm just wondering if anyone can vouch for or against home gyms. I don't got a credit card, so I'd be buying one in-store and having it delivered to my place. I'm willing to spend up to $3000, but no more.

I'd really appreciate any advice or insight you can offer. Cheers!

 

[bullwing413]

I have both, don't use the home one much as I like the fellowship at the gym and the ability to help and be helped. It's more motivating for me. BUT, everyone's different. Home gyms also never give you the flexibility of equipment of a decent fitness club.

 

[Royal Heart]

So you're saying they're okay, just not as flexible as a club's equipment? I was pretty much betting on that, so it's good to know that so far I'm right on the money.

 

[Kyanimal]

We have a "Solo Flex" (remember those?), a weight bench with a full range of weights, a NordicTrak, a treadmill, a "Bull Worker" (I vaguely remember those!), an "Ab Rocker", and various other "toys".

In my experience, which may not become the same as yours, I've found they all turn into expensive clothes hangers in about 3mo., or so!

Good luck with yours, though!!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[Adhesion]

I own a treadmill, recumbent exercise bike, and free weight set. And I use them every day. It's nice being able to get my exercise done at home without having to drive off to a gym.

 

[KaraBulut]

This is one of those "work at home" type issues - it depends on how disciplined and focused you are.

Going to the gym is like going to work. It takes you away from distractions and is time that you focus on getting your workout done.

And the problem with home gyms is that they're not very portable. If you're renting, no one wants to move several hundreds of pounds of workout equipment when they move. Even for those who own their homes, there's a lot of garages and basements that have seldom-used weight equipment sitting around.

Maybe a better option for you would be to find a workout buddy who has a car?

 

[SuperPsyze]

Go to "Rummage Sales". These are yard sales done by local churches who get donated items from their patrons to sell. A lot of times, someone will give the church exercise equipment (and people don't like buying them).

The thing is that Rummage Sales only last for the 1 day. At the end of the day, the church usually ships all the stuff to goodwill. As such, they're desperate to sell as much as they can the last half hour of the day.

I got a BowFlex for $20, an elliptical for $30, a treadmill for $15, and a Yoga Ball for $2

 

[Hot White Trash]

I bought weights through an ad - bench, dumbells, barbells, couple accessories - for a couple hundred dollars. It has been a great purchase. And after a few months it paid for itself versus joining a gym. I work out every other day and even have had friends come over and work out with me. There is no reason to spend anywhere near $3000! You don't need fancy machines, just a good weight set. I jump rope, walk and run for aerobic exercise.

I would advise you to spend a couple hundred on some barbells and dumbbells and use them for a couple weeks. You can get a feel for whether you like working out at home. If you don't like it you can find a gym and still have the weights for when you don't feel like treking to the gym.

 

[Audio Tech]

Used to own a Soloflex and a weight bench. Didn't take very long to get bored. The biggest problem with home gyms is staying motivated.

I have found P90X to be fun, cheap, and much more varied than a home gym. Takes less space, too. And it gets results, if you stay motivated....

Other than that, people are selling exercise gear all the time. Buy used, (barely used, most of the time) and save a LOT of cash.

 

[GymTyme]

There's nothing like running in the open outdoors in the morning.

And just get a set of dumbbells. You'd be surprised how many exercises you can do with them.

Good luck.

 

[mbamike]

I owned a set of free weights once. Ended up giving them away.

Joined a gym too. Ended up NOT going half the time.

Bought one of those ab roller devices. Since it is compact, I thought it would not get in the way. It is sitting in the closet and hasn't been used in months.

My latest workout effort was P90X using workout bands and a chin up bar. I lasted for two months.

Regardless what you choose, you will need to dedicate yourself to it, unlike me.

 

[theblackajah]

Do P90x. Pirate the video series, and buy the components. Instead of a full dumbell set, get an adjustable set for a few hundred bucks, and skip out on the heart rate monitor. Get bands instead of a pull-up bar too.

You'll be able to get in serious shape for less than $500, all at home, with minimal equipment.