Comparing the benefits and setbacks of having a gym membership and “working out” at home.
An educated personal take from the blog of Ryan Rickard as of April 2020.
The changing of the new year always brings aspirations of resolutions which often include going to the gym, performing physical activity, and working out; but studies show that most gyms lose 50% of their new members within the first six months of the year (Glofox, 2019). Why? Possibly the warming of the outdoors in spring. Many gyms may be losing their members not to a community lack of motivation, but it could be that more people are enjoying the outdoors and the opportunities that come with performing physical activities at home.
Of all the differences between going to the gym and staying at home the cost must be the main one. According to a study by myprotein.com, a leading European based health and nutrition brand, the average American spends $155 a month on their health and fitness with an average of $33 of these funds going towards gym memberships. These statistics suggest that the average American spends almost $400 a year on gym memberships. Meanwhile working out at home is practically free not considering buying equipment or other tools. The following table put together in a study by My Protein gives an interesting breakdown of how they think the average person spends their money on health and fitness based on a survey of Americans through lifetime and monthly breakdowns.
The Gym
Going to a gym may cost more, but the amount of people present at the gym could bring the average gym goer a sense of community and team building. Many gyms also not only provide professional equipment for members but supply group fitness classes to capitalize on their facilities which could include spas, tracks, pools, saunas, basketball courts, soccer fields, and turf gyms. Gym based fitness brings variety (facilities), motivation (cost commitment), and focus (no home interruptions). The biggest setbacks of attending a gym could include other people becoming overwhelming or the overall hassle of attending (getting ready, finding transportation, spending more time, etc.).
The Home Gym
While performing physical activity at home may not have the same facility opportunities it may allow for outdoor fitness, weather permitting. The outdoors allows for longer cardiovascular running (some would argue more interesting due to scenery) and workouts in an area with more flowing outdoor oxygen. Home based fitness brings convince (no travel and less time commitment), variety (outdoor options), and familiarity (using a familiar space). Setbacks to be aware of when working out at home may include distractions, excuses, and lack of equipment (not owning a “home gym” such as weights or cardio machines).
Author Opinion
There may be a happy medium between the home gym and the gym. Utilizing both a gym and working out at home can provide a sense of community and motivation while also taking advantage of timing constraints and outdoor opportunities. By developing a routine schedule, a person could become a more fitness conscious person and take advantage of all the available opportunities. For example, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays a schedule allows a person to workout at home outdoors by going for a run and performing cardiovascular training while Tuesdays and Thursdays the schedule allows for the person to utilize the gym and take advantage of not only weights but also included facilities.
Community Testimonials
Aaron Marino (no gym membership) – “I prefer to work out at home. I run outdoors every morning in the spring through fall and have also invested in my own set of weights for at home. No other people to get their sweat on my set of dumbbells.”
Ailin Saenzpardo (Anytime Fitness member) – “I work out at a gym because I lost motivation and focus at home. Travel can be difficult everyday during the winter, but I need a large space to work out.”
Alex Costa (Kress Events Center member) – “I love my gym but have also recently found it great to workout at home because of how much time I can save.”
David Morenas (Crossfit 920 Member) – “Working out at a gym is best for people who can’t afford their own equipment or need extra motivation. CrossFit gyms are sometimes more versatile than other gyms because they sometimes include outdoor options.”
Julia Morenas (Crossfit 920 Member) – “I would rather workout at a gym taking classes with my friends than working out at home alone. It’s a social thing for me.”
Kevin Cervantes (Kress Events Center / YMCA Member) – “I have a bad habit of getting multiple memberships because I love having use of all different facilities. Franchise gyms are nice when they have any-location membership options.”
Savannah Wright (no gym membership) – “With all these new trends in social distancing I have started working out at home using YouTube for body weight-based workouts. If I’m not doing that, I’m running outdoors.”
Community Facilities (Green Bay, WI.)
Anytime Fitness - If you’re looking to join a supportive, welcoming gym community, with people of all fitness levels who want to see you succeed, you’ve come to the right place. – anytimefitness.com
CrossFit 920 - We offer a variety of different programs to fit the needs of people of all ages and skill levels. Our programs are designed to help you accomplish your goals in improving your health and fitness. – crossfit920.com
Kress Events Center - The Kress Events Center, also known as the KEC or the Kress, is a multipurpose athletic facility located in Green Bay, Wisconsin on the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay campus. - uwgb.edu/kress-events-center/
Planet Fitness - Whether you’re a first-time gym user or a veteran member, we’re here to provide a workout environment in which anyone - and everyone - can be comfortable. – planetfitness.com
Titletown Fitness - If you are ready to start living a healthy lifestyle, message me to get started! Everyone has a unique situation, and I'll strive to accommodate yours. – titletownfitness.com
Xperience Fitness - Our mission is to provide our gym members with more ways to reach their fitness goals, more advice for a healthy lifestyle and more opportunities to feel unstoppable. - myxperiencefitness.com
YMCA - You become part of a community of people dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for themselves, their families, and their neighbors. – greenbayymca.org
References Used in this Blog Post
Glofox. (2019, November 15). 10 Gym Membership Statistics You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.glofox.com/blog/10-gym-membership-statistics-you-need-to-know/
Ogilvie, A. (2020, February 26). How Much Do Americans Spend On Health & Fitness?: Survey Results Revealed - MYPROTEIN™. Retrieved from https://us.myprotein.com/thezone/training/much-americans-spend-health-fitness-survey-results-revealed/
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