The Truth About Working Out At Home vs Gym

Why going to the gym is easier than at-home workouts

​Here’s one of my all-time favorite questions:

Why is going to the gym easier than working out at home?

While in college in rural Iowa, I had a grizzled psychology professor who gave riveting lectures which sparked ideas of applying psychology to workouts. I started to ask myself: 

• How can I wipe out negative associations attached to exercise? 
• How can I create positive associations to exercise where people want to keep doing it?

One light-bulb moment was realizing the difference between gym workouts and at-home workouts.

With at-home workouts, you have a "lower barrier to entry" since you don't have to  drive anywhere... change in a sweaty locker room... wait your turn for the leg press machine... or endure grunting gym rates. You just find a small corner in the living room, unroll your yoga mat and get after it. ​

So why is working out at home a struggle? 

One reason is associations. 

Think about the emotional associations attached to your living room. Most people associate relaxing... hanging out with family... and Netflix and chillin' in this space. So every time you step foot into that room, those associations flood your mind. 

What emotions drive working out? 

Usually the opposite. Usually higher-energy emotions such a determination and drive and focus to attack the weights and give it your best. So when you try to work out in a space such as a living room, you are mixing associations. 

It's not impossible but it confuses the brain. 

It's similar to why sleep experts say, "Don't work on your laptop in bed" or go on your eye-phone. That's because you are mixing the associations of work and sleep. And it messes with your brain as to which one you are doing. Compare that to... 

The mentality of working out at a gym

Whether it's a local YMCA or 24/7 box gym, it serves one purpose:

Working out. 

So a gym can become a powerful association for nothing else but intensely lifting weights... doing light cardio... or getting your sweat on. 

(Unless you just go to flex in the mirror and take selfies...) 

More consistent workouts build more powerful associations to that space until your mind naturally 'switches gear' and shifts into those higher-intensity emotions whenever you are there. Plus, once you get yourself to the gym there are fewer distractions to pull you away from working out. 

If you really hate crowds (or meat heads) and prefer to skip the gym, here's how to get the best of both worlds... ​

The home gym solution

A home gym can crush it on both fronts: convenience and consistency 

Here's a personal example: 

A few years ago, I canceled my gym membership and exercised in my office instead. I bought some heavy resistance bands and a push-up plus (a more comfortable form of band push-ups) and worked out in the evenings. This worked for a season but once the 'new toy feeling' wore off then I noticed workouts becoming a drag and required a lot of push motivation to follow through. 

When I built a garage gym, this all changed. 

Suddenly I had a designated space for working out where I could escape and get away from my home office. It became a sanctuary of sorts where just being in that space was conducive to attacking the weights... working hard... and focusing on the present moment. 
​
So whether it's a local gym or home gym the key is: 

Create a designated space for working out

See what it does for helping you get into a routine, become more consistent and get more traction on your fitness goals 

Kelan Ern
Elite Fitness Coaching

P.S. For more ways to transform your health and fitness, check out a free issue of Mind-Body Breakthroughs. Each month features one of the fittest people on the planet and their tips, strategies and mindsets for helping you breakthrough to the next level.