Location, Location, Location: Settings for Physical Activity — Gym, Club, Home

Your personality type may play a role in the type of location you choose for activities.

Your fitness goals also figure into your decisions about how and where you want to take your physical activity program. Whether you’re a lone wolf or a social butterfly, you are going to be able to find a public facility or private place to meet your personal needs.

In this Active Living article, you’ll get an overview that will help you decide if you want to join a club or gym, exercise at home, or both.

• This message describes the pros and cons of gyms, clubs, and at-home physical activity.
• It provides you with a scorecard to help you decide what will work best for you.

Jammin’ at the Gym

You may find that going to a gym or athletic club fits you to a “T.” If these considerations make your top-10 list, a gym or club might be for you:

• You find that going to the gym or club is a stress reliever because it gets you away from the day’s distractions.
• You enjoy being with other people who are doing the same sort of activities as you.
• You like to be around and observe people who are doing activities different from yours.
• You find the energy and activity of a gym or club motivating.
• You like a variety of equipment, ranging from free weights to machines.
• Laying down cash keeps you coming back.
• You like to get tips about equipment, technique, and form from expert staff members.
• You don’t want to spend the money, time, and effort to create an at-home gym.
• You don’t want to be responsible for equipment maintenance or repair.
• You appreciate the other services your gym or club may offer, for example:
  • Group classes in aerobics, Pilates, yoga, tai chi, and others
  • Nutrition counseling
  • Personal training
  • Saunas, whirlpools
  • Swimming pool
  • Indoor walking/running tracks
  • Child care
  • Snack bar
  • Massage therapy
  • Spa services (facials, pedicures, etc.)

On the other hand, some aspects of clubs and gyms may not strike your fancy:

• Membership fees may be pricey.
• Extra services and classes may not be included in the price of membership.
• Depending on the number of members, you may find yourself waiting in line for equipment or to get into classes.
• If you’re not yet totally comfortable in your body, you may hesitate to show it off in a crowd.
• The noise and number of people around you may be a little overwhelming.
• You may have to pay for parking.
• You may have to pay for child care.
• You may find the operating hours inconvenient.
• You have to get there. The further away from the gym or club you live, the more likely you are to skip your activity sessions.

Home Alone

People are flocking to gyms and clubs, but they may not be your cup of tea. Many people prefer their physical activity at home or in the great outdoors. There are advantages to exercising at home:

• You have the option of outfitting your own complete, at-home fitness facility, but you certainly don’t have to. If you don’t buy a complete set of equipment, an at-home workout is less expensive than a membership to a club or gym, unless the club or gym is free. Equipment doesn’t have to be expensive. Videos and stretch bands are fairly inexpensive. You can buy free weights, or use cans of food from your kitchen to add resistance. By the way, the piece of equipment most commonly bought for at-home use is a treadmill. You can often find used treadmills at secondhand sports equipment stores.
• Doing physical activity at home is convenient: You can do it any time. This is especially great if you’re a night owl or an early bird. And you can take a phone call, help the kids, or let the dog out if you need to.
• You can break up your physical activity into segments to be done throughout the day rather than all at once.
• You may be more comfortable home alone.
• You don’t have to drive anywhere.
• You don’t need child care.
• You don’t have to stand in line and wait to use the equipment.
• You don’t have to contend with folks who may not have the same sense of gym etiquette as you.
• You may have more quiet, peace, and serenity at home.

Of course, nothing is perfect. Here are some cons to home physical activity to consider:

• You may face a lot of distractions. It’s easy to pick up the phone, answer the door, or let the dog out.
• Experts aren’t available for on-the-spot advice.
• If you aren’t self-motivated, you may let an at-home program slide.
• Depending on what you buy, the cost of equipment can add up and take up a lot of space.
• If you buy equipment, you’re responsible for cleaning, maintenance, and repair. Unless you have a lot of equipment, you may regret the lack of variety.

Now you have a lot to think about. Use this scorecard to help organize your thoughts about using clubs or gyms, exercising at home, or using a combination of sites for your physical activity. Check the features that matter to you and see how the gym and your home stack up with respect to those features.

Summary

• Assess your personality and physical activity goals when deciding whether to work out at a club or gym, stay at home, or use a combination of locations.
• Keep in mind the pros and cons of working out at a club or gym and those of exercising at home. Evaluate them both in light of your personality, likes, dislikes, and physical activity goals. But remember: You don’t have to choose just one location. You can do some activities at the gym, and some at home.