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Deciding where you will exercise is an important first step in
reaching your fitness goals. Many factors go into this decision and
each should be thoroughly evaluated before beginning an exercise
program. Once a decision has been made on where you will work out,
you can move onto deciding how you will work out.
Exercising at home has its definite advantages. One advantage is
in the finance department. With today’s gas prices, it is obvious
that you will save money on fuel as well as ware and tare on your
car by exercising at home. Gym memberships can often be costly and
may include items that you don’t really need such as child care or
swimming facilities. You also don’t have to be concerned with
having the latest in exercise fashion or gear since you most likely
would be working out by yourself at home.
Working out at home, however, does include a measure of
financial obligation. Even if you will simply be running, it is
imperative that you have high quality running shoes. Really, this
statement applies to any equipment you may purchase to use at home.
If you buy extremely low priced and low quality equipment, you may
end up being injured or frustrated by lack of progress.
In addition to financial gains, exercising at home may also be
helpful for those people who are too self-conscious to exercise in
public. If you are worried about your appearance in gym clothes, it
is comforting to know that the only person who has to be with you
when you exercise is you. There are also time benefits when
exercising at home because you don’t have to spend time traveling
to and from the gym.
If you are more motivated by being with people you know or come
to know while exercising away from home, a gym will fit your needs
better than working out at home. A gym becomes more cost efficient
the more equipment you use. For instance, if you want to run on a
treadmill for most of your work outs and cross train on an
elliptical, it is much more economical to go to a gym. Not only
would you have to make the initial outlay of money to pay for the
equipment, you would also have to pay to maintain it if you
exercised at home.
There are also some major benefits of joining a gym if you do
need such services as child care and a swimming pool. If you are
wanting to train for a triathlon, for instance, it is imperative
that you have a safe, appropriate place to train for the swimming
leg of the race.
Of course, gyms also offer classes that can be very motivating.
If you start attending a class regularly, you may be motivated to
continue so that you do not have to defend yourself when asked
where you have been if you have missed classes. Strong friendships
can form when people take the same class with the same people for
many years. It is also motivating when those same people notice
weight loss that can come from exercising.
In all, choosing between exercising at home and at a gym can be
accomplished by looking at your personality and acknowledging what
needs you have. Once you have completed this task, you will have
set yourself up for success on your road to fitness. As always, the
most important thing is to put yourself in an environment that
encourages rather than discourages exercise.
Pepper Montero
Pepper is an avid excerciser. She loves to stay in shape and
tell others about her adventures.
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