Who Needs the Gym? Work Out From Home!

Crappy radio stations. The overwhelming stench of sweat. Dudes wearing spandex shorts five sizes too small. These are just a few of the reasons why going to the gym sucks.

But going to the gym isn?t just annoying; it?s not even necessary. Much in the same way you never need to own a Gazelle or try P90X to get in shape, you also never need to join a gym.

Do it at home

?But waitaminute, John. Don?t you write fitness articles on a weekly basis? Wouldn?t you consider going to the gym to be fitness essential? ?

I think people are under this misconception that the only possible way to get in tip-top shape is to visit a certain type of building, pay a monthly membership, and use all the machines and devices therein. Used correctly as part of a structured fitness regimen, going to the gym is of course going to be beneficial. Many people, however, mistakenly assume that one cannot achieve as effective a workout outside of a gym.

Think about the purpose of a gym. The average gym offers an assortment of machines and devices which, used correctly, can help you burn calories and build muscle. That?s all it really boils down to. Unless you just really love using expensive machinery covered in a stranger?s sweat, working out at the gym is no more ideal than working out in the comfort of your home, so long as you do it correctly.

Just like at the gym, you can burn calories and build muscle from your home. Think you need a chest press machine or an elliptical to work out effectively? Think again. With little to no money, you can work out at home just as effectively as you would at the gym.

I hold a membership with a local gym. Want to know how many times I?ve been there in the last 5 months? Once. It?s not out of any fear of the place (although I wonder if the BO stench is poisonous). I used to go 4 to 5 times a week. That was until I grew tired of waiting to use the treadmill or a certain machine, when I realized that I could work out just as effectively from my house.

If you do some research, you?ll find tons of exercises you can do right in your house. You don?t even need to buy a bench if you?re short on cash and/or space. You can buy a set of weights and a yoga mat for pretty cheap. And honestly, you don?t need much more than that. Other cheap devices you might want to consider buying include a pull-up bar, ab wheel, resistance bands, push-up aids, etc. You?ll find that you can perform most exercises using these simple devices. You can also simply use your body weight, eliminating the need for really any equipment.
Whether you?re sick of stank ass locker rooms or you just want to try something new, do yourself a favor and try working out from home.