Home Is Where The Gains Are: The Benefits Of Having A Home Gym

Hello athletes,

I hope you are having a Synergistic Wednesday!

Today, let’s talk about having a Home Gym. You’re probably on this site because you have a home gym and are looking for toys to add to it, OR you are hmm-ing and haa-ing about whether you should start building one.

This post is directed at the latter; but current home gym-ers, stick around! A little confirmation bias never hurt nobody – let’s reaffirm your belief in the superiority of Home Gyms!

THE PREAMBLE

Is A Home Gym Right For You?

Now, before I launch into the awesome-ness of having a Home Gym, let’s talk about why you are considering building your Wo/Man Cave.
#letsgetdeep #Vikkithetherapist

Give some thought and good chunk of Brain Power to answer the following questions:

• Do you currently have a gym membership? If yes, is it effective? If no, what are the pros and cons of signing up for a gym? of a home gym?
• What do you want to accomplish? What are your personal fitness goals?
• What activities do you enjoy? What weaknesses do you want to work on?
• Will anyone else be using the equipment?
• What space are you dedicating to your home gym?
• What are the restrictions of that space (size or the room, ceiling height, doors that open in- or outward, noise restrictions, protected flooring)?
• What sort of obstacles stand between you and your fitness goals right now, and how will a home gym help you overcome them?

Answering these questions can help you conceptualize what your home gym will look like, what you hope to get out of it, and what equipment and accessories you can start shopping for. They might prompt you to make some adjustments to your plan or give you new ideas.

For example, if you live in an apartment building with families above and below you, having home gym equipment isn’t impossible! You can start by investing in low-impact exercise equipment to avoid future noise complaints. PLUS, there are so many innovative storage options – and DIY Small Home Gym Storage Hack tutorials – and various sizes of equipment, you bet your firm butt you can fit a sweat session into a square foot-limited space!

But Wait!

Think hard about that last question

Here it is again:

• What sort of obstacles stand between you and your fitness goals right now, and how will a home gym help you overcome them?

There are many benefits to having a home gym (I’ll elaborate in a second), but that last question is very very important for you to answer honestly. Let's say your largest obstacle to working out right now is your insanely demanding job and you work 15 hour shifts. You think, “If only I had a barbell at home, then I could lift in those 2 hours when I’m not commuting, eating, or sleeping!” Um, yea, good luck with that.

In this case, it sounds like putting yourself before your work and prioritizing your health is an essential part of your fitness process that requires your immediate attention. A Synergee barbell – as awesome, affordable, and good-lookin’ as it may be – ain’t gonna make everything right!

Building yourself a home gym is about creating a special, personalized fitness environment conducive to your life and goals. BUT, if your life isn’t conducive to your fitness goals, that is what is going to require some elbow grease, first!

Failing to plan is planning to fail

That’s not to say a home gym is not right for you; but you need to be realistic and proactive. Plan out how you will incorporate these new fun fitness toys into your life and make time - it could be an hour a day or an hour a week - for yourself and your health.

If you buy a barbell and set your expectations high but fail to meet them, that leads to disappointment. A home gym is supposed to make your life easier, not harder! If you set yourself up for success by considering what you are capable of and what habits or lifestyle factors you can adjust to make room for your new stronger, fitter, faster Future Self; that leads to gains! YOU CAN DO IT!

Now, if your biggest obstacle is that bozo who is ALWAYS doing curls in the squat rack and you are so fed up because you spend 30 min of your hour at the gym glaring at him from across the room instead of getting buff… yea, sounds like you NEED a barbell and rack in your basement STAT! * add to cart *

BENEFITS OF HAVING A HOME GYM

OK, wait, I thought I was here to read about the benefits of a ho-

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m getting to it.

(As you read more blogs by me, you’ll know my mind likes to hop and jump... but I always find my way back to my original point, and I hope I provide you with some good food for thought in the process. I go off on tangents because I care!)

Ok. Benefits of a Home Gym. Let’s go!

No Bozo Zone

Unless you consider yourself or anyone else you invite into your Wo/Man Cave a bozo, you will create a bozo-free environment where common sense and effective workouts can reign supreme!

No more waiting to use the squat rack because someone is curling in it – but hey, if you feel like doing that, your secret bozo-tendencies are safe with me! You make the rules here! #nojudgement

Squat (or curl) when you want to because you own that bar and rack and they are intended for YOUR use! You can create an effective and comfortable atmosphere, play the music you want to play, and arrange your gym to be conducive to your workouts. Your gym = optimal equipment selection = your rules = you are the king/queen of the Gains Castle! No compromises necessary! No bozos holding you back!

Less unwanted exchanges

Yea, that was meant to sound kinda gross. Not everyone who goes to the gym prioritizes cleanliness and hygiene. And that’s their own prerogative… until you share a dumbbell with them. Some people refuse to stay home from the gym even when they are coughing up a lung, and although you may keep your hands away from your mouth and other orifices, you might have scrapes or cuts or hangnails that come in contact with equipment, opening up your body up to those unwanted “Welcome Germs” parties.

This is all to say you DO NOT have to deal with this in your own home gym! You can be as strict or lax on cleanliness as your heart desires. You will know when the equipment was last cleaned, who used what last (spoiler alert: it was probably you), and you can control the spread of germs.

And on the topic of unwanted exchanges – no more creepy “Need a spot” offers.

Save time

Where is your nearest gym? How long does it take you to drive/walk/bus/bike/sashay there; park; check in; change; and be ready to workout? Do you spend an extra 20 min packing a gym bag with clothes and snacks, and then cart said-inconvenient-bag around all day?

No more of that!

Now your travel time is the distance from one room to another. You can get changed – or heck, strip down to your skivvies to get a workout in! Your gym, your rules, remember? #stillnojudgement

You can get a 15 minute workout done in 15 minutes at your home gym, instead of over an hour at your local gym once travel, changing, waiting for your equipment, and chatting with Brad or Brit in the changeroom is all done.

You’ll miss less training days because you’ll have less excuses when it’s so convenient to get your workout done!

Plus, if you want to get a workout in while watching your favourite show, kill two birds with one stone! Throw on Yummy Mummies or Game of Thrones or whatever it is you’re into and get some reps in as you watch your schedule luxuriously open up!

Spend precious minutes of your life doing what you love: getting after those gains! … and watching Yummy Mummies 😉

Save Money

What would you rather deal with: a one time payment for your own forever equipment and ownership, or monthly charges with sneaky cancellation fees?

There are a lot of awesome gyms out there in the world, but most gyms expect you to pay and not show up.[1] All gyms are businesses and their shared goal is to make money, whether they charge $5 a month or $500 – some hope to provide a transformative member experience along the way, and others couldn’t care less. Many big box gyms also have sell-your-soul-style contracts that are really difficult to break away from and can result in you paying even after you leave.

Plus, think about what you are paying for. Gym fees include overhead fees (which you are already paying for with your personal living situation) and maintenance fees for equipment and services you may not use. You probably have your five favorite pieces of equipment that you use regularly; and yet at a gym, you are paying for every machine, smoothie maker, towel, sauna, etc. and the heating and electricity bill that you don’t necessarily use at the gym.

How do you avoid these unpredictable gouges to your bank account? Build your own home gym!

The $40 a month gym membership might look real nice compared to a the price of strength and conditioning equipment, but if you’re signing up for an annual membership you’re going to pay $480 by December and with initiation fees you can pay up to $800 for your first year.

Buying gym equipment that is your own, ready to use and easily accessible, and protected by warranties and No Sweat Guarantees will save you money and get you gains in the long run. Stay in control of your hard-earned money!

Treat Yourself

Treat yourself to a safe and healthy space to go after your personal fitness goals! You deserve it! Really, you do!

Create a personal oasis in your own home where you can be a little selfish: work on your six pack, go after that new 1RM back squat, sink into Downward Dog, or find your happy place with music blasting and adrenaline coursing through your veins.

Creating a space in your own home where you make the rules and do something for yourself free of other’s judgement or

opinions is empowering. A home gym can be a place to build your physical and mental fortitude; a place to escape everyday stresses without needing to leave your house; and a place to celebrate everything your body is capable of and work towards your goals.

Oh La La

Looking for some inspiration? Check out these drool-worthy luxurious garage gyms!

In short

A home gym isn't going to give you a six-pack overnight, but it is an incredible resource for sticking to your personal fitness goals. It allows you to save time and money, make less excuses, and achieve levels of fitness-greatness in the comfort of your own home. You are in control of your entire fitness environment in your home gym, and it's an incredible gift to give to yourself (and whoever you share it with). 

Until next time, athletes! Keep sweating, smiling, and crushin' your goals!

[1] I find all this stuff about consumer choices around gym memberships absolutely fascinating. If you do too, check out this article from the American Economic Review.