Setting up a home gym – advantages, disadvantages and some tips

​Over the years, I amassed a number of different pieces of gym equipment and set up a small home gym to use at times when I’ve been unwell enough to exercise at my regular gym.  I have even tried to do away with my gym membership and exercise at home, but I always inevitably end up back at a gym.  In other words, for me, a home gym is no substitute for a gym membership.  Having said that, I do think that having a home gym can be very worthwhile and it is something that I use in conjunction with a gym membership.  I thought it might be helpful to others if I set out the advantages and disadvantages to home gyms, as well as some tips for those who are considering setting one up.

Advantages

•          Having a home gym gives you the complete freedom to exercise whenever you want.  You won’t be governed by your gym’s opening and closing times, as well as class schedules
•          You can’t beat the convenience of a home gym.  You can fit your exercise in without having to leave the house!  This saves valuable travelling time getting to and from your usual gym.  A home gym can also be extremely helpful for new mothers who find it difficult to leave the house
•          You’ll save money on expensive gym memberships.  Look at any capital expenditure incurred purchasing equipment as a long term investment
•          No one will see you exercising so it doesn’t matter if you don’t have the latest work out gear.  Unlike some commercial gyms, home gyms aren’t competitive, gossipy or bitchy

Disadvantages

•          The set up costs can be high. Gym equipment, especially machine weights and racks, can be costly
•          You probably won’t have all the equipment that a commercial gym has
•          You need enough space which can be a challenge in an apartment and most houses
•          The biggest challenge is actually being motivated enough to use it. A friend from an old gym told me that most home gyms fail for this reason
•          There is no substitute for the sense of community fostered by a commercial gym.  Over the years that I have been a gym member, I have received so much support and encouragement from other members and gym staff.  I have made life-long friends who have helped me stay motivated on my fitness journey
•          Having other users in a commercial gym creates atmosphere and can motivate you.  For this reason, I personally don’t mind having to wait for equipment or work in with people who are using the same equipment
•          The risk of injury in a home gym is higher as there is no one to correct your posture
•          Although factoring in time to get to and from the gym can be a drag, it is nice to get out of the house, especially if you work from home.  Having a home gym can make you feel house-bound

Still keen to set up a home gym?  To give you an idea of what pieces of equipment may be helpful, here’s a list of what’s in mine:

•          Exercise bike
•          Swiss ball
•          Dumb bells in a range of different weights
•          Kettle bell
•          Reebok Step Box
•          Skipping rope
•          Aim’n resistance bands
•          Foam Roller

You may also find the following equipment useful:

•          Les Mills on demand. This gives you access to all the Les Mills classes, so you can do these workouts at home
•          Barbell and weights
•          Boxing bag and gloves
•          Treadmill
•          Rower