Health Clubs vs. Home Gyms

Which is the better option?

We all have different motives to exercise. Maybe you want to firm up the midsection for bathing suit season, condition yourself for sports, or simply start living a healthy lifestyle. Whatever your reason is, we think there is a perfect health club out there to help you reach your goal. So, if you're on the fence between becoming a member of a health club or just working out at home, consider these three points first.

Health Clubs are Inexpensive Compared to Home Gyms
Have you ever heard someone say they can't afford a health club? These days, there is a health club for everyone's budget. The average health club costs about $40 and memberships can be as low as $10 per month, a price most of us can live with.

Setting up a home gym, on the other hand, means buying expensive equipment, having a lot of space, and spending time and money to keep your equipment up and running. A good treadmill will cost anywhere from a few hundred to $1500, depending on the intensity and frequency of your workouts. Let's estimate that the average treadmill will run you about $1000.

$1000! That's over two years of membership at a $40/month health club, which has state-of-the-art equipment (a high-end treadmill at a health club can cost $10,000+) and variety of different exercise options. Even a $10 a month health club will have good treadmills to workout on and you can be a member for over eight years for $1000. Eight years from now, your shiny new treadmill won't be so shiny and new anymore. As a matter of fact, there's a good chance you'll have to replace it in that time period and spend another $1000. That's not even considering upkeep or the electricity used to power the machine. A gym membership is a much more attractive option.

Time is Money Health
To anyone who has ever uttered the words "There aren't enough hours in the day," we applaud your work ethic. But if you think you don't have enough time to spend at the health club, what you're actually doing is letting time slip right through your fingers.

Exercise improves your mood, your energy level, and promotes better sleep. This makes you more efficient at all those daily tasks that eat up your time. Not to mention regular exercise keeps your heart healthy, helps prevent chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, and will help you live a long, healthy life.

If it's time on this earth you value, you should invest in your health. A health club is a great place to start.

It's Not as Intimidating as You Think
If the words "health club" conjure up images of muscle beach and bodybuilders sculpting their biceps, you're not alone. There is a stigma that comes along with health clubs that can intimidate the average person. However, health clubs have come a long way and cardio and strength training isn't just for body builders anymore.

Group exercise classes, like Pilates, Yoga, Aerobics, or Group Cycling are a great option for people who are just getting started. The group setting can help you meet new people who have common goals and help motivate you to stay the course in your workout plan. Working with a personal trainer is another great way to make sure your workouts are successful.

Of course you need to feel comfortable at the place your workout. We're confident there's a health club out there for you. Most clubs will let you workout for free before you become a members, simply ask the sales person. This is a great way to find out if you will be comfortable with your health club before you spend any money.

Find a health club near you.
We're confident there's a health club to help you meet your fitness goals. Find your perfect club today.