People with fitness goals this new year may be wondering whether it is better to buy exercise equipment for home use or invest in a gym membership.
Either choice presents some distinct advantages and disadvantages, and it's a good idea to weigh all of them before deciding which option is best for you.
COMPARING COST
The first thing that comes to mind for most of us is money. How much will this cost in both the short and long run?
In the short run, the gym membership will win. The average membership costs between $30 and $50 a month, whereas a typical consumer-grade cardio machine is around $1,000.
In the long run, buying a cardio machine will be cheaper due to the accumulation of monthly gym dues. This is from a consumer's point of view.
As a personal trainer, I can tell you that you will be getting more bang for your buck with a gym membership. This is because your body will adapt to any cardio machine that you buy within four to six weeks, and because of that, you won't burn as many calories after that time. A gym offers a variety of machines to work with, which will theoretically give you better results, as long as you're switching exercises often enough.
Workout mind-set
Another factor to consider is your own workout ethic. I often hear the notion that having a machine at home is more convenient, so it will be used more.
The question to ask yourself is "Do I feel like working out when I'm at home?" This is important because a lot of times people view their home as a place to relax. If this is the way you feel about your home, do not buy your own equipment; it will be too easy to hit the couch rather than jump on the elliptical.
If you are able to work at home and know how to manage your time well, then a home gym might be good for you.
It can also help if you have a separate place in your home — a basement or garage, for example — that gives you that "workout mind-set" when you enter it. This mind-set, however, is the reason some lean toward a gym membership. Once you're at the gym, there are fewer distractions. There really is no other option but to work out.
TIME VS. VARIETY
The time factor is also something that must be considered in this analysis. Obviously, going to the gym will take more time because of the travel involved. In this case, especially if you live a distance from a gym, having a home gym may work better than a gym membership. Hopping on your machine for 30 minutes while watching the news or reading the paper can save you time in your daily schedule. Saving this time, though, will be at the expense of variety in your workout.
Variety in your workout (switching machines every few weeks) will definitely help change your body. If you have no intention of changing your body and are looking only to maintain, then, by all means, stick with the home-gym idea.
The bottom line is that it really comes down to your goals. You need to decide whether you want to exercise because it feels good and you like it or if you are looking for an actual change in your body.
If you are a disciplined person who can manage your time efficiently and you just want to get a good sweat in every day for maintenance, then a home gym may be your answer.
But if a real change is what you are looking for, then stick with the gym-membership option. I'm confident you will be happy with the variety of equipment at your disposal and will have fewer distractions to keep you from achieving your fitness goals.
Ted Santaniello is a certified personal trainer working at the Wellness Center at PARC, located at 295 New York Road (next to ARC) in Plattsburgh. For more information, call him at 324-2024.
