The perfect home gym? Is it worth it.

Now not everything has to be done for gainz in a commercial or private gym. Coming from a guy who actually trains at home and has been for about 8 years take it from me, a good set up and quality equipment is really worth the extra change!

Here are somethings to take into consideration before buying home gym equipment:

Space: Space is something that needs to be considered, it's a very raw assumption to say a large room is enough. You need to visualize what will be where and also is their adequate space to move around without knocking into other equipment or battling to breathe easy with the lack of space.

Ventilation: Is really important, you need to breath and not suffocate. You want to create an epic hardcore gym environment but don't forget that the room needs proper airing. Sweat does stink, so be sure to add a window or extra ventilation to make it a breathable! Another part I can mention here too, is that fans and aircons are also considerations but I'd strongly turn against any aircon, nothing worse than a cold and intensity lacklustre gym. A fan is good for those really really hot days.

Flooring: is essential to any good and long lasting home gym, rubber matting is ideal as it is near non-slip and will provide some protection to your flooring when plates, dumbbells or barbells are dropped! Nothing worse than eye sore broken tiles. Foam matting is also pretty good!

Pictures/posters: I feel this is something every home gym should have, hardcore or not because of the motivation factor that leads to extra determination and focus, which ultimately leads to extra effort and in turn extra gainz! I feel the more the better but each to their own.

Mirrors: Need I say more? They can be more trustworthy than a scale, and let's not forget they help with your posing and perfecting your form. People link mirrors with egos, but in the world of fitness/bodybuilding that's not always the case, for some its more about seeing the improvements which enhances motivation and effort! Trust me mirrors are needed in any gym are needed especially in a home gym where you become your own motivation in most cases.

Expenditure: Now with all being said above, the most crucial part of all is how much are you willing to spend. Is this home gym just for every other day you don't hit your local gym, or your one and only gym where you plan to grow and eventually add on more equipment as time goes on and you can afford more. Or you could just have a stack saved and say this is it and buy every piece you ever wanted to have your own slice of the good life. The latter is always the least chosen as equipment is expensive, and when you told quality, yeah quality equals more costs involved. But one thing I must point out is that proper gym equipment does really last long and require little maintenance.

What should the perfect gym consist of (equipment wise?)

(These are personal preferences, not scientific facts)

• Extra strength adjustable bench *

• Olympic barbell*

• Various weight plates (Make sure it can fit the Olympic bar)*

• Adjustable dumbbells or powerblocks*

• Leg extension attachment*

• Pullup bar**

• Lat pulldown attachment*

• Tricep Rope attachment*

• Ez bar*

• Hack squat/leg press machine**

• PowerTec Power rack**

• Cable crossover machine**

• Treadmill**

• Stationary bike*

• Preacher curl attachment.

• Lat pull down bar

• Horse shoe handle*

• Ankle cuffs*

• V grip attachment**

The reason why I separated it, is because I know not everyone can afford a full fledged gym like the one I just laid out. The essentials are really essential and should be taken into consideration before anyone considers doing their training from home.

Make shift exercises can be done and will suffice but the best and most ideal scenario is the correct equipment. You cannot duplicate a leg press or cable crossovers, but an elastic band or adjustable tensioner can be a suitable suffice. Adjustable dumbbells are great but time consuming and inconvenient at times. A Powerblock is really a dream, personally I own one and it's been an addition so worthwhile, easy to use and also saves up a whole load of time and space! But if your starting out with adjustable dumbbells, bench press with adjustable seat+lat pulldown, barbell, weights, leg press attachment and preach curl attachment for a near perfect gym starter experience! And this is coming from a guy whose trained most of his competitive life training at home and making decent gainz all over.

Benefits of having a home gym:

Intensity: Is so underrated. Today gyms are packed with aircons and fans, where it's so cold a fly will actually freeze lol (true story), I cannot stand a gym where the coldness outweighs the intensity and it seems every year the coldness increases and increases. One thing one must understand about intensity is that it's really a friend as opposed to foe which is the way it's always been portrayed. The heat makes it an ideal cooking pot for fatloss and insane intensity. I do not use a fan or open a door when I train because this is to me, a perfect scenario for ultimate growth and fatloss. I say growth because I definitely do lift more and do more when the intensity is on point! I know the difference between a home gym and a commercial gym, I loved going to a commercial gym back when I had the basics but once I got more and more equipment, I quickly grew out of that phase. Now I am looking too complete my home gym experience and make it a complete gym, but due to work I unfortunately still have to be joined to a gym, because you never know. But if you work close to your home, and don't travel or work from home, a complete home gym is really the way forward. Intensity is not for everyone especially if you are not used to it, but its seriously the best way to make improvements and be your very best! Unless you find a flipping intense gym that has a homely feel then by all means it might be better.

Convenience: Is another huge factor, probably one of the most important points in this article. Imagine no waiting in line for a bench, no queuing for a cable crossover or the uncomfortable, weights still left on a machine you want to use, a towel left over a piece of equipment you really wanted to use and have to wait for Jack to finish his sets and reps on the machine the other side of the gym, sweaty seats, broken equipment and let's not forget those awkward situations when it comes to shower time? Well if you think this is "cool" then you should consider a home gym. Sure, a commercial gym is great but being a more hardcore kind of guy I quickly got over the whole commercial gym environment once the old memories of my previous commercial gym came back to haunt me. I don't have to wait for anyone or anything, pack away my weights if I want to, I shower when I'm done, I don't have shit steins in my toilet like literally every commercial gym I have been too, why oh why can't these pricks be clean? I am not saying this is for all the gyms all over the world, I'd love to crush a session at the temple gym, Birmingham, UK. Metroflex, Arlington TX or even a golds gym. There's something so off putting about these commercial gyms. Maybe the gyms I mentioned toilets are also shit stained but it's just a finding that's driven me crazy. I still feel convenience is key unless you live down the road or near a gym you feel suits your lifestyle or pocket, where the equipment is really good and working, where you get along well with others and train at a time when the gym is not packed to the ceiling. But I'd always consider a piece or two of gym equipment because you never know when you may need it.

Cheaper: Now I know gym equipment isn't cheap but with that being said, once you look at the bigger picture ne can see the true savings, not instantly but over time. Think of the fuel saved, no membership joining fees, monthly fees, parking tickets if applicable etc. Once you start adding all these numbers then heck a home gym can be a cheaper solution in the long run. One needs to take all of this into consideration, especially those living miles away from any sort of gym like myself. If you take the beginners equipment guide for example (the complete adj. bench w/lay pull down attachment) then it's really affordable. But one needs to look at expanding it into something more potent where almost every body part can be trained sufficiently and thoroughly over time.

Privacy: Is such an issue nowadays, people complain when they hear grunting, banging or scream when gainers are busting their PR. I cannot stand those who do not push themselves to the limits and makes those that do uncomfortable with stares and whispers... Being at your own gym you can train in what you want, drop weights, shout, scream, grunt and most importantly feel comfortable. On extra hot days, I like to train shirtless as I feel comfortable enough in my own home gym as It is mine and no one can tell me otherwise. The feeling of freedom is when you own your own home gym. You can train barefoot or wear socks, personally like to use sock when I train legs and I make sure I use Strideline socks as they are comfortable and make any leg session much more involved I feel especially with heavy squats! And let me not forget you can play your own music, and that's a huge contributing factor to intensity and overall determination! 

Home gym negatives:

Of course, nothing is perfect and being a long-time home gymer I can certainly vouch for these negatives.

Motivation: It's all fine and dandy training at home but once you get into a rut whether it's personal issues or progress is going slower than expected things can get really tough. When you train at commercial gyms the environment can be a pleasant difference, you are in an environment with people and you will automatically be motivated to push yourself or there will be another individual that will make you go balls to the wall (macho things the buff dudes tend to do). Basically, motivation is easier to at a commercial gym than training at home, it is all a mind set at best but can play a very big role in your pursuit to progress. If you are a person who lacks motivation you need to think will a home gym really be your one and only gym or will this be a phase?

Lack of proper equipment: With the heavy costs of home gym/gym equipment it's a struggle to get everything we want, and we are stuck on the things we need. With that being said its rather difficult to do everything with minimal equipment, although not impossible. All I'm saying is that one cannot always mimic an exercise without the correct machinery. I do admit when I had minimal equipment it was really tough to build my legs without the necessities such as a hack squat and leg press, I did do barbell hack squats but you can't beat the proper thing. Especially the leg press! But yes, it's obviously an ideal scenario to have the budget to get what you can, meaning there would be little to no need to join a gym because you have sufficient equipment at your home gym.

Atmosphere: Now when I say atmosphere I mean vibes given off the people around you, of course every gym is different and diverse. And of course, there are different gyms for different folks. Not everyone wants to lift heavy ass weights or train hardcore, balls to the wall. But if you live near a gym that exudes the kind of atmosphere you want to be invoked daily then a home gym might not be your calling. I say this because we all have a gym we'd love and dream to train at, for me it would be MetroFlex gym, Arlington TX. Just because I grew up wanting to go there because Ronnie Coleman changed my mindset and to be in a gym where he made all them gainz would be epic. I'd never own a single piece of gym equipment if I lived near there. And if there's a gym that ignites emotions that I have displayed then don't consider a home gym. Atmosphere can either make you love or hate a gym, you never want to be at a gym that you cannot decide if you love it or hate it.

Isolation: You may feel a bit isolated form society training alone at home, it happens. Especially if you work from home. Some people like that whilst others don't. I can have felt isolated especially when I lack motivation or my personal life is a bit of a mess Its one of those things you should consider, but if you work your 9-5 job, train in the morning before work then there shouldn't be a need to feel isolated assume you see and interact with a multitude of people.

***Intimidation*** Intimidation are one of those things that can go either way. It can aid focus and determination or it can demotivate. Its healthy to create a competitive environment without the associated violence. With that being said, everyone is different, if being at a gym with guys/girls is intimidating then a home gym maybe better suited to you. I think being at a gym where you can improve and flourish is suitable for all looking to progress!

Safety:Is something one doesn't often associate with home gyms, it's a lot risker than commercial gyms. The reason I say this is because often you have a choice to have machine put together or to pay someone to put it together. Of course, we want to save money, but if you don't have experience putting gym together or you aren't good with hands then let the professional do it. And also, home gyms become very dangerous especially if your lifting heavy, there is often no one to spot you when you most need it. Be safe lift what you know and if you have your buddy or bf/gf/spouse then ask them for a hand. I have been in that predicament when no one is there to help for a spot and it's not fun!

Handy home gym tips:

• Wipe down your equipment after use.

• Be sure to use a lubricant every now and then on cables and moving part to enhance longevity.

• Make sure a professional installs you equipment unless you or a friend know how to do it properly.

• Keep a look out for any loose nuts and bolts.

• Make sure a spotter is there to assist you on those heavy lifts or PRs'

Conclusion:

It's really a tossup, if you live miles away from a commercial gym that isn't your ideal gym then a home gym can and will be the better alternative, because you save in the long run. Home gyms can be fun, personal and enticing, you can invite friends to train with you when you feel abandoned or need that extra bit of motivation and building up a suitable atmosphere that you can feed off. I love the personalization part of a home gym when you can turn it into your very own masterpiece away from the machine hogs and haters also Nothing worse than your goods being stolen from a gym.

But on the other hand, if you are living near a gym you consider your "dream or ideal" gym then it makes sense to join that gym and enjoy it. If I had the opportunity to live closer to a gym I love heck I wouldn't think twice. It's all about scenarios and finances. At the end, there will always be those for or against a home gym. If it's something you can afford and are willing to spend (and maintain) then by all means you can have your very own perfect gym!