Are Home Workouts as Effective As A Gym?

There are many activities that have advantages when you do them at home, as opposed to doing them someplace else. For instance, eating at home is almost always cheaper than eating out in a restaurant, plus you get to enjoy your meal on your own schedule, rather than when the restaurant has time to seat you and prepare your food. Entertainment is another example. Watching a movie at a theater may be a fun experience, but streaming that movie at home is generally cheaper. On top of that, you can watch the movie when you want, pause and rewind it, and no one gets angry when you bring your own snacks. 

There are also advantages of a home workout vs. exercising at a gym. Working out at a gym can be expensive. After the initiation fees and monthly memberships, you may pay for “extra” classes that aren’t included in your membership, personal trainer fees, and beverages at the juice bar after your workout. 

Then there are the extra expenses to tally up. Those include the cost of driving to and from the gym and the sweat-proof earbuds you’ll buy to help drown out the gym noises and loud music playing over the gym’s speakers. You’ll also probably spend more on workout clothing so you can look nicer while you sweat in public. But a common question still exists, are a home workouts as effective?

How to Build Muscle with a Home Workout Plan

The answer is yes, you can get the same quality workout at home, without skimping on your fitness or strength training. And for even better news: you won’t have to spend hours training each day, or buy a ton of expensive equipment. 

All you need is a simple routine to work your major muscle groups, some simple, affordable equipment like adjustable dumbbells and an optional weight bench, and a little motivation to get started (and keep going).

Don’t worry about investing in a complete home gym full of professional equipment. In the past, f you wanted to upgrade to professional quality equipment, you had to spend a small fortune, and probably convert a spare bedroom or your garage into a dedicated gym.  

Today, however, you can get quality, solid exercise equipment made for home use at a reasonable price. Many items designed for home use also store easily out of the way, either in a closet or under the bed.

As long as you have enough weight to challenge your muscles and are consistent in your workouts, your home workout will be as effective as the one you can do at the gym. Aim for working out three times a week to build more muscle, or twice a week to maintain your current level of fitness. An added bonus is you can do reps during work breaks while you work from home, making it an effective use of your time.

All-Over Strength Exercises with Adjustable Dumbbells

This quick routine of five dumbbell exercises gives you a good full-body home workout in about 20 minutes. Begin with one to two sets of each exercise, and add additional sets as you get stronger. Start with a comfortable weight, and adjust your dumbbells to a heavier weight for an added challenge.

Goblet Squat 

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold a single dumbbell in both hands in front of your chest, close to your body, with elbows bent. Squat while driving your hips backward and keeping your torso upright. Stand back up, pushing from your heels. Repeat.

Shoulder Press 

Beginners can sit on a weight bench; otherwise stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. With a dumbbell in each hand, lift your arms so they’re parallel to the floor, and bend your elbows 90 degrees. Keep your torso straight and slowly press the weights up toward the ceiling. Pause briefly, then lower the weights to the starting position. Repeat.

Dumbbell Row 

You can lean on a weight bench and do this exercise one arm at a time, or stand and work both arms at once.

To work one arm at a time, hold a dumbbell in your hand, with your arm straight and extended toward the floor. Rest your opposite knee on a weight bench, holding on with your free hand for added stability. Bend over so that your back is level with the floor, and slowly bring the dumbbell to your chest, squeezing your back and shoulder muscles to lift the weight. Lower the weight slowly. Finish your repetitions for one arm, switch sides, and repeat.

To work both arms at once, stand comfortably with feet slightly apart and knees slightly bent, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Push your hips back and lift both weights up to your waist, squeezing your shoulder blades together to lift. Lower the weights to the starting position, and repeat.

Stiff Legged Deadlift

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a dumbbell in each hand. Keeping your back straight, bend forward at your hips. Lower the weights until you feel your hamstrings and glutes begin to stretch, then slowly return to the starting position. Repeat.

Chest Press

Lie on a weight bench with your feet flat on the ground, or on a mat on the floor with your knees bent. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and press the weights toward the ceiling. Bring them back down slowly to the starting position. Repeat.

Essential Home Workout Equipment

You don’t need much equipment to make a home workout effective. In fact, all you really need is a good quality set of adjustable dumbbells like one from Core Home Fitness, and a weight bench like the Glute Drive Plus from Core Home Fitness that also builds your glute muscles. 

With just two pieces of fitness equipment, you can do extensive weight training with a home workout vs. a gym membership. Depending on the cost of your local gym membership, investing in Core Home Fitness equipment can pay for itself in a short time.

Home workouts with your own fitness equipment is affordable and versatile. You can work out on your own schedule when it’s convenient. No more skipping workouts because you just don’t want to deal with the hassle of driving to the gym, finding a parking space, and waiting for a machine to be available.

You owe it to yourself to commit to a fitness routine. Check out the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell sets and the Glute Drive Plus today, and get in the best shape of your life.