Home Gym VS Gym Membership In 2021: Which Is Better?

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For the past five years, I spent a substantial amount of time at various gyms – from budget to premium gyms all over NYC. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I was forced to get creative with how I approach fitness, and I will not be stepping foot back in a commercial gym again.

So should you invest in a lifetime of gym membership fees or a home gym that lasts a lifetime? Building a home gym that will support your fitness goals provides optimal convenience, efficiency, and savings. But if you value the social aspect and lack the space at home (though you can work with a little bit of space), you might be happier with a gym membership.

Keep reading for five things you must consider when deciding between a gym membership and a home gym. The good, the bad, and the costs!

Table of Contents

#1. Social aspect at the gym

The number one thing that gym memberships offer over home gyms is the social aspect. If socializing with friends at the gym is a priority for you, you will probably be happier with a gym membership.

But don’t underestimate the home gym. You can work out with family members and set up virtual sessions with your friends. It’s an excellent way to keep each other accountable and engaged.

#2. Gym hygiene

A home gym guarantees hygiene so that you can work out with peace of mind. There’s no need to deal with equipment covered in other people’s sweat.

#3. The convenience of working out

With a home gym, I get to work out on my schedule and save so much time! I remember when I would spend hours getting to the gym and end up waiting half an hour for every single piece of equipment I planned to use.

#4. Space at home

Space is probably the number one barrier to building a home gym.

If you have a tiny spot to lay out a yoga mat, that’s all you need for a budget home gym. There are smaller items that you can obtain to start working out at home.

But if your space does not accommodate your specific fitness goals, having a gym membership would better support those goals.

#5. Cost of gym

And finally, the cost of gym memberships versus home gyms!

Do keep in mind that a home gym lasts a lifetime. Not only does it last a lifetime, but it doesn’t lose much value over time. If you take care of your gym equipment, you can easily resell your items on an online marketplace.

Quick finance tip: Home gym is an asset, and gym membership is an expense. An asset is a resource that holds value and expected future benefit, and an expense is a resource consumed over some time.

We’re going to use an example to draw out this situation. Here are a few assumptions being made.

We’re comparing apples to apples in terms of budget. So budget gym memberships are compared to budget home gyms.
The prices are typical in NYC in 2021.
We’re assuming the home gym exists for single-person use. The savings multiply when more individuals use the home gym.

A) Budget Gyms

BUDGET GYM MEMBERSHIP: $15 per month / $180 annually

Low-quality environment – people and space
Crowded space – while working out and just walking around
Long wait times for equipment
Dirty gym space and locker room

BUDGET HOME GYM: As low as $25 one-time cost

(Equivalent to 2 months of a Budget Gym Membership)

Yoga mat (strength, endurance, flexibility) – $25
Resistance bands (strength) – $50
Pull-up bar (strength) – $50
Jump rope (endurance) – $25

B) Average Gyms

AVERAGE GYM MEMBERSHIP: $60 per month / $720 annually

Less crowded than a budget gym
Less wait time for equipment than a budget gym
Cleaner gym space and locker room than a budget gym

AVERAGE HOME GYM: $2,200 one-time cost

(Equivalent to 3 years of an Average Gym Membership)

Yoga mat (strength, endurance, flexibility) – $25
Resistance bands (strength) – $50
Barbell (strength) – $300
Barbell plates (strength) – $800
Weight bench (strength) – $300
Squat stand (strength) – $500
Silencer drop pads (strength) – $200
Jump rope (endurance) – $25

C) Premium Gyms

PREMIUM GYM MEMBERSHIP: $250 per month / $3,000 annually

Spacious
Minimal wait time for equipment
Clean gym space and locker room

PREMIUM HOME GYM: Up to $11,000 one-time cost

(Equivalent to 4 years of a Premium Gym Membership)

Yoga mat (strength, endurance, flexibility) – $25
Adjustable Kettlebell (strength) – $200
Adjustable Dumbbell (strength) – $1,000
Barbell (strength) – $300
Barbell plates (strength) – $2,000
Weight bench (strength) – $600
Power rack (strength) – $4,000 (includes pull up bars, dip station, additional attachments)
Flooring / platform (strength) – $800
Rowing machine, indoor cycling bike, or treadmill (endurance) – $2,000