Why and When to Build a Home Gym

More and more people are discovering the benefits of a home gym. Equipment is growing to cater to this bustling niche. But is that home gym right for you? The factors that go into turning in your gym membership vary as much as the equipment available today. The truth is, there may not be one universal reason that makes someone leave their gym in favor for their home gym. Rather, it’s a combination of factors that produces the perfect storm, or the breaking point to make people leave. 

Let’s break down some of the most notable reasons why someone would leave their gym and start a home gym. 

Covid-19 

When the coronavirus shut down gyms across the country, it placed an enormous spotlight on the fitness industry and the equipment providers. Many people purchased equipment for use at home, even if it was a simple set of dumbbells, bands, or if they went all out and filled an entire garage. The point is, fitness is incredibly important to people. It’s a display of the critical role in plays in our life, through exercise to mental health and well-being. 

For some, they bought minimal equipment, hoping to wait out the closing of gyms. Others decided to forgo the gym completely. They redesigned a garage or basement or spare bedroom and went all in on becoming a home gym owner. So many people bought gym equipment that essentially every single manufacturer was sold out of every single piece of equipment.  

Stock became extremely scarce; backorders were place and people waited weeks, even months to receive equipment. That didn’t stop people from continuing to build their gyms. While Covid has generally subsided, there is always the thought in the back of your head that something similar could impact the fitness world again.  

But the pandemic has proven that people will adapt and find a way to achieve their fitness goals.  

Save Time and Money 

Have you ever thought about how much time you spend preparing and driving to the gym? It is probably 10-30 minutes out of each day for you. And that is just driving to the location, not to mention driving back home. Time is something none of us can get back. Yet, we all have the same amount.  

A home gym could save you time (though the upfront cost is much higher). The travel time alone may not be immediately noticeable. No more conversations with people who do nothing but waste your time. In a home gym, you can get in, get out, on move on with your day. It’s the ultimate efficiency gym.  

The money you save from monthly gym memberships can be saved or spent on improving your own gym as well. Your space allows you to be specific with the equipment you need. 

Invest in Health and Life for You and Those Around You 

The money you spend on your gym isn’t wasted either. As long as you perform your research, look at many reviews, ask questions and weigh your cost benefit analysis, you will never make a bad purchase for your gym. Equipment is expensive, so it is important to make the right decisions when you spend your money. 

That being said, the gym you build at home becomes a true investment in your health and in your life. There is a good chance that it will trickle into the other members of the family. The gym is an excellent place to bring families together and make it fun for everyone. Kids are intrigued when they see their parents pushing themselves to their ultimate limit.  

It’s foreign to them – they aren’t used to seeing their parents in that light. Then, all of a sudden, they start hanging around more. Eventually, they want to participate in it with you. Now you are investing and developing good habits within other members of the family. 

A Place to Get Away…at Home 

Stress can get the best of us sometimes. Handling that stress usually results in a trip to the weight room to pump out some good sets and get the blood pumping. Resistance training has been shown to aid people who suffer from anxiety and depression as well. This is how powerful the gym can be.  

A gym in your home or garage can produce a great stress reliever. It can offer you a place to get away to collect your thoughts. I’ve been using the time I train for dual purposes – to train the body and the mind. For me, it’s become a place of separation of mind and body. I will listen to seminars and speeches, which provide me a chance to meditate. I focus in on the mental aspect of my life while also training with high intensity.  

You may not need to do all that but your special place to train can serve any purpose you want it to. The best part is you don’t have to wait for someone to finish their last set of bench press, wait on someone curling in the squat rack, or reading a book on a machine. You can come in, get to work, accomplish your goals and move on to the next task for the day. 

I’m Ready, Now What? 

If you are ready to dive into home gym ownership, you should begin with the ultimate basics in weightlifting: a barbell, weights, bench, and a power rack. From there you can expand on the several options of bars, racks, benches, and weight that is available. That’s where the home gym community in general is very knowledgeable and helpful. 

It could be the best decision for yourself, your family, and your overall health. You will keep yourself accountable and make a life change one you never thought possible. 

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