Starting your fitness journey is a big step towards a longer and healthier life. The world of fitness has evolved substantially over the last decade; as the world has become more health-conscious, there has been more focus on the pursuit of physical fitness.
At POW8R, we know that integrating a consistent fitness regime is essential to pursuing a healthier lifestyle. However, with the rise of home workouts in modern fitness, there is a growing debate surrounding which is better- home or traditional workouts.
Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of both workout styles and our recommendations.
Traditional Workouts
If you have ever met any gym traditionalists, you have probably been told repeatedly that traditional gym workouts are the way forward.
Look, we aren’t here to dismiss the benefits of traditional workouts, but there is no disputing that what we know about exercise has evolved, so it’s time for our practices to grow too.
That is not to say that traditional workouts do not have benefits, and here are just a few of them.
The Pros of Traditional Workouts
Muscle Growth
By following traditional workout methods and heading to the gym, you have access to a variety of equipment that you can use to support muscle growth. Let’s face it: most of us don’t have the space or money to have a lot of this equipment at home, so this is where traditional workouts have the upper hand.
It is important to note that many of these areas can still be worked out through at-home exercises and with home fitness equipment; you just need to further your education on how to achieve the same results at home.
That is why we always suggest working with a qualified trainer who can provide you with vital information.
Reduced Risk of Injury
One big selling point of traditional workouts is the reduced risk of injury. When you are working out in a gym, and something starts to go wrong, you are surrounded by people who can rush to help, leading to less injury.
You do have to remember that if you work out from home, you won’t be dealing with the same kinds of heavy machinery, so you won’t be exposed to the same risks.
If you are worried about staying safe while working out at home, we would certainly recommend following out a workout video, as these workouts have been tried and tested and come with in-depth instruction that you can follow to ensure a safe workout.
Access to Equipment
One of the main reasons why people choose to follow traditional gym workouts is due to the equipment these gyms tend to stock. If you are someone who has little space in your house, you may not have the room for this type of equipment.
Though equipment can be beneficial, you do not always need equipment to target specific areas and you can do plenty of fantastic workouts with close to no equipment.
For some of the workouts that we offer on the POW8R web app, a great pro tip that we give to clients is using bottles of water as an alternative to weights- you don’t need much to fulfil a successful workout. After all, you didn’t see Victorian bodybuilders using a leg press, did you?
The Cons of Traditional Workouts
Time Constraints
One of the biggest challenges of completing a traditional workout is the time constraints. If you are someone who has a 9-5 job, you only have so many spare hours in the day and when you attend the gym, you have to factor in things like travel and then getting ready in the locker rooms.
This can take up a lot of time, and if you want to uphold a consistent workout schedule, you will have little time for anything else.
In contrast, if you complete a home workout, you can do it absolutely anywhere. For example, if you were to complete one of the workouts from the POW8R app, you could fit it in during your lunch break or before tea, there’s a lot more flexibility.
Cost
Every year, it feels as though gym memberships are becoming more expensive. High demand often leads to higher costs and you can expect to pay upwards of £20 every month for even the most basic gym, and that doesn’t even include the cost of additional classes.
These costs can add up and make traditional workouts offputting.
Accessibility
If you are someone that likes to go to the gym after work, you will be more than familiar with just how crowded gyms can become.
Sometimes when you head to the gym, there is a lot of waiting around for equipment and you don’t ever feel as though you can take your time during a workout in case someone else wants to use the equipment.
A lot of gyms also have limited opening times, and if you have a limited schedule, the gym may not be accessible when you need it to be.
Home Workouts
Home workouts have been steadily growing in popularity over the last few years. During the lockdown period, they became incredibly popular, and people quickly realised that they could achieve the same results from the comfort of their own homes.
Even though we can all go back to the gym now, people have actually developed a preference for working out at home and it is clear to see why.
The Pros of Home Workouts
Convenience
One of the biggest advantages of at home workouts is the convenience. You can complete a home workout at the drop of a hat and you can carry out a home gym equipment workout in place of using gym equipment.
You can workout anywhere without the need to commute, which is perfect for anyone with a busy schedule. For example, if you have children or you have recently had a child, you may not have a lot of time to head to the gym.
Luckily, you can use resources such as the POW8R women’s fitness app from the comfort of your home, ensuring that you carry out the necessary exercise without limitations.
Cost
Another big benefit of completing home workouts is the cost. For the most part, you can complete a home workout for no cost at all using objects around the house or affordable equipment.
Even if you are someone that requires that additional push and support when on a workout journey, working with an online personal trainer is much cheaper than a traditional trainer.
One of the biggest benefits of working with an online fitness coach is that for the cost of one in-person session, you can access a month of limitless workout content and advice.
Comfort
Another big benefit of working out from home is the comfort. If you are someone new to fitness and you do not feel confident in a gym setting, you may hold back and prevent yourself from achieving the best results.
At home, you don’t have to worry about feeling conscious and you can put all of your attention on committing to the workout, which will make it easier to work towards your desired goals.
The Cons of Home Workouts
Lack of Accountability
When you are working out at home on your own, an issue you may encounter is having nobody there to hold you accountable. This means that if you can’t be bothered committing fully to workout, there will be nobody there to call you out on this and so it may take longer to achieve your goals.
Though this may be a problem you encounter, an easy way to fix this is by working with an online personal trainer or joining a community of people who can offer you the support that you need. On the POW8R web app, we have witnessed our users create a community of support that helps them stay accountable for their actions.
Not only is this community great for helping our clients stay accountable, but it also provides a resource for them to receive answers to any questions they may have, such as ‘which home workout is best for weight loss’, which makes the fitness journey much easier.
Limited Equipment
An issue that you may encounter when working out at home is limited equipment. More often than not, people tend to have no more than a couple of weights or a kettlebell at home, which may mean that they can’t complete specific workouts.
Luckily, the workouts we plan for our members tend to need no more than a kettlebell to complete, so not having the right equipment doesn’t need to get in the way of a great workout.
Distractions
A big reason why people tend to be so resistant to home workouts is because of the fear of distraction. When you’re surrounded by all of your personal possessions, it can be easy to presume that these items will distract you from your workout.
Think about this: How many times have you been in the gym and witnessed people sitting on their phones for ages? If you are fully committed to your workout, you will stay focused no matter where you are.
Elevate Your Fitness Journey With POW8R
Hopefully, this blog has given insight into the power of at-home workouts and how they can benefit you. If you like the idea of starting your own fitness journey from home but are not sure if you’re ready to commit, why not try our ultimate 10-day fitness challenge and see how home workouts work for you?
