The pandemic has changed the dynamics of many industries. From offices shifting to home-based setups and online platforms becoming the new norms, the post-pandemic era has witnessed several changes. While some industries suffered setbacks, many flourished and people also turned towards online platforms and some old-school methods to keep the wheel moving. Home gyms, for instance, became people’s preferred choice during the covid era.
While the concept of home gyms isn’t a new one, it has flourished like never before. Many people consider it a perfect substitute for joining a gym while several say otherwise. We have done a detailed comparison of a home gym vs joining a gym to help determine the right option for you.
Home Gym vs Joining a Gym
Mental and physical well-being holds paramount value. While you get access to several facilities when joining a gym, setting up a home gym may require some adjustments. Luckily, the UAE is fully equipped with all the facilities you require to set up a home gym in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or other cities of the country.
The debate for difference between home gym and joining a gym has been long going. Let’s go through a detailed comparison between a home gym vs joining a gym and see which one is a better option for you.
PROS OF A HOME GYM
A home gym comes with several benefits. Let’s go through some advantages of training at home vs gym.
24/7 AVAILABILITY
Life in big cities can get hectic at times. Huge traffic during peak hours, extra time in the office etc can all contribute to an irregular routine. In this case, a home gym can be nothing short of a blessing.
You don’t have to worry about the gym timings as the workout space is always at your disposal. Additionally, you can train any time of day and as many times as you want at your home gym.
NO COMMUTE CHARGES
Commute charges can be a big expense considering the rising petrol prices in the UAE and around the globe. A home gym helps trim down the petrol expense as you don’t have to travel the extra mile. Moreover, you don’t have to commute after a long day at work – an additional blessing of having a home gym.
NO MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP FEE
No monthly or yearly membership fee is another factor that gives remote workout space an advantage in the comparison between comparison between home gym and joining a gym. You need not worry about paying a gym membership fee every month. The money saved can be used to execute the maid room transformation ideas or other plans to further enhance your home gym setup.
FREEDOM TO WORKOUT
With a home gym at your disposal, you can bid farewell to waiting for the equipment to be free. You remain the sole owner of the setup and this gives you the freedom to workout in peace. Additionally, you can also save some money by only adding the essential equipment required for your workouts.
CONS OF A HOME GYM
The idea of a home gym can be intriguing for many reasons however you should consider the downsides too. Listed below are some of the cons of a home gym:
COSTLY SETUP
With a gym membership, you can just pay the fee and start working out. However, this isn’t the case with a home gym. For a home gym, you should have some extra space at your place which can be an issue if you reside in a small rental apartment in the UAE.
Additionally, there are some other additional costs of setting up a home gym like equipment charges and room setup costs etc. Furthermore, people usually add extra lights and appliances to the home gym setup. These can be one of the reasons for high electricity bills if not used effectively.
LIMITED EQUIPMENT
Another factor which tips the scales towards a gym membership in the going to the gym vs working out at home comparison is the variety of equipment. With a home gym, there’s a limit to the equipment you can add, provided the space and budget. This can limit your workout to certain exercises.
Whereas in a commercial gym, you have a variety of equipment for targeting different muscles and body parts as per your requirements.
NO SOCIAL ENGAGEMENTS
Another disadvantage of home gyms is limited social interactions. Many people prefer to work in isolation while others can’t get a pump without having people around them. Moreover, with in-home workouts, you are on your own unless you hire a personal trainer.
With a commercial gym, you get to be around like-minded people – for spotting during exercises or for making conversation.
PROS OF JOINING A GYM
While a home gym can increase the things to do on the home maintenance checklist, gym membership relinquishes you of these worries. Joining a gym has its perks as compared to working out at home. Let’s go through some of the advantages of choosing a gym over a home workout setup.
ADDED AMENITIES
There is a difference between gym vs home workouts considering the availability of equipment. A gym membership comes with added amenities such as dedicated equipment for different types of workouts. From a variety of dumbbells to advanced treadmills, you can find it all in the gym.
Adding all the equipment to your home gym setup can be costly and would require additional space. Moreover, some gyms come with extra services such as hot baths and saunas – making gym memberships more intriguing.
AVAILABILITY OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINERS
If you join a gym, your workouts can be specialised under the guidance of professional trainers. Most gym memberships come with added options with training programs included. On the other hand, these services can be costly if you hire a professional trainer for your home gym.
HELPS STAY FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED
No matter the size of your rental house in the UAE, working out in isolation can get the better of many people. You can lose the motivation to workout. On the other hand, working out with like-minded people can force you to put in the extra effort.
Additionally, you can have social interactions at the gym and your workouts can become fun, exciting and more engaging.
CONS OF JOINING A GYM
Besides the many perks of joining a gym, there are some downsides you should consider. Listed below are the cons of joining a gym:
MEMBERSHIP COSTS
One major disadvantage of joining a gym is the membership cost. Home gyms are a one-time cost while you have to pay a monthly fee for gym memberships. If you opt for a luxury gym membership, the costs can add up to a hefty amount.
DAILY COMMUTE AND BOUND BY TIMINGS
There are some hidden rent costs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other cities of the UAE. People are on the lookout for ways to save money and joining the gym may just be an added expense.
First up, daily commuting can cost a fair amount of money and time. Additionally, you may have to adjust your social gatherings as gym timings are fixed. In case you get stuck in traffic or have an emergency, you may miss a day’s workout.
WAITING TIME FOR USING THE EQUIPMENT
Another downside of joining a gym is the waiting time for the equipment to be free. You are not the only person in the gym and gym equipment may be occupied by other members. In this case, you might have to wait for your turn and this can be exhausting. Additionally, it may increase the time you spend at the gym – further disturbing your routine.
This brings us to the end of our comparison between a home gym vs joining a gym. Working out is a step towards healthy living and its importance cannot be denied. While home gyms provide a convenient workout space, gym memberships offer specialised sessions. With gyms taking care of your physical health, check out the ideas to create a positive ambience through decor and take a step towards better mental health.
You may choose the option best suited to your needs. You can easily find some top gyms in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other cities of the UAE. If the idea of a home gym sounds appealing to you but you are short on space, check out the following:
- House for sale in the UAE
- Villa compound for rent in the UAE
Stay tuned to UAE’s top property blog for detailed comparisons between gym types and more.
