I didn’t start exercising regularly until after college, when I signed up for a gym, developed a routine, and went to the machines a few times a week and occasionally did free weights. But that all changed in early 2020 when the pandemic hit.
Like many others, I found myself torn from my usual exercise habits and looked for an alternative. I started taking longer walks outside, which was for my well-being as well as my fitness, and after a few months I was able to get hold of a set of adjustable dumbbells.
For the first few months, I still missed the extra space and equipment I could use at the gym, but I signed up for a workout app, started to get more confident with my new weights, and found that I actually enjoyed exercise a lot more than I had in the past.
It was such a dramatic change that I canceled my gym membership and continued to do home workouts and long walks every morning, and even managed to use the extra time to extend my usual meditation sessions. That’s why I decided to make the switch permanent.
My workouts became more varied After joining the gym after college, I created a workout program and then pretty much stuck to it for the next few years. I varied it slightly, but generally it meant a quick cardio hit followed by a 45 minute weight session with machines, dumbbells and barbells.
To be honest, it was just the same and I would hit the gym because I felt like I had to, not because I really wanted to anymore. Which also meant I started making excuses not to go. Too much rain? Better stay at home. Feeling a little tired? He should probably rest on the couch.
Of course, I switched to home workouts because I had to, but it was a great opportunity to rethink what I actually like about exercise. I’ve found that I really enjoy short high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) sessions with my weights, but also walking has become a big part of my fitness routine.
I used to see more defined boundaries between working out at the gym, yoga and low-intensity activities like walking and hiking, but leaving the gym has meant I’ve been more open to incorporating stretches into my dumbbell or bodyweight workouts at home.
I stopped worrying about how I looked Shortly after I started going to the gym I was diagnosed with a medical condition which meant I lost a lot of weight and even years later I still struggle to gain weight. So while I worked out and got stronger, I never really fit in with the regular gym crowd.
It also made me self-conscious and I actively avoided working out around others, choosing a quiet corner where I could grab a few weights and a mat. But when I was on the machines, I often gained weight to maintain my appearance and try, recklessly, to prove myself in some way.
This kind of overtraining isn’t good for your body, it can lead to injury, and it’s also not that fun. So, when I switched to home training, all these problems completely disappeared. I had no one to judge me (even if I imagined that social pressure) and I could train at my own pace.
It also meant I felt more able to experiment with different workouts, which is how I set out to try an old Richard Simmonds exercise class. And now, if I want to rest, I can lay on the floor, play with the dog, or finish listening to a podcast before starting my next set. It’s much more relaxed.
It saved a lot of money Okay, so this is a pretty obvious point, but it definitely played a part in the decision. I was lucky enough to have a budget gym nearby so my monthly membership was about $30 a month. However, it’s more common to pay $50-70 each month, which costs you about $840 per year.
Of course, this gets you access to the gym’s facilities, well-maintained equipment, and in some cases, classes and other perks. But if you don’t use all of these (and I definitely didn’t), then switching to home workouts can save you a significant amount each month.
I did free workouts on YouTube for a while, but I ended up signing up for Centr, Chris Hemsworth’s workout app, after picking up some adjustable dumbbells. The annual membership costs $120, but considering I used it a few days a week, it seemed like a good value.
Part of the reason I was able to make this switch was because I wasn’t fully utilizing the equipment and was only spending time on the treadmill. If you love working out on an exercise machine, this can get expensive quickly, but if you’re on a budget, you can build a home gym for under $500.
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