7 Simple but Practical Reasons to Work out at Home ...

As someone who ditched the gym membership about a year ago and decided to turn a room into a budget home gym, I am a staunch advocate of the home work out and there are some simple but practical reasons to work out at home. Some people get tricked into believing that the only way they can stay healthy is by having an expensive gym membership, but there are many other ways you can work out, like running, walking and cycling in the great outdoors. But when it's too cold or windy outside and you want to work out indoors, why not do it in the comfort of your own home? So whilst I look out of my window at weather that is just not conducive to working out outdoors today, here are some practical reasons to work out at home.

1. It's Free

One of the reasons to work out at home is the cost of gym membership. Gym membership can be pricey and it just keeps going up every year. And what do you have to show for it at the end of the year? Of course, you have a wonderful trim physique but you don't have anything tangible to show for it. There are so many items at home you can use to work out with, like a chair for step ups and triceps dips and bottles of water or cans for dumbbells. You could also buy some second hand gym equipment which added up, probably wouldn't cost you the price of a years' gym membership. You would have 'paid for' the equipment after the year and have something to show for it! Of course, you don't need any gym equipment to work out. You can just do a whole body workout and there are some brilliant workout videos on You Tube to help and motivate you.

2. No Waiting for the Shower

One of the games I hated playing at the gym was the waiting for the shower game. Working out at home eliminates that whole process, as you can just jump straight into the bath or shower after your workout, straight into your sweats and onto the sofa for some rest and relaxation!

3. Waiting Game

Waiting for machines is a drag, especially when you can only go to the gym at peak times. The gym I was once a member of would get extremely busy, as the only time I could go was when everyone else could go - after work! It made the workout experience something of a chore, with groups of guys loitering by machines, having a chat and not actually working out on them at all! And for some reason the gym just keep plugging those memberships. I can understand why, as I know many people who have a gym membership but don't actually go to the gym, so it must be very lucrative. But it meant that I would often not be able to get on the machine I wanted to use. This would leave me feeling a little annoyed at having spent my hard earned cash on a membership but not being able to use all the facilities.

4. Wear What You Want

As much as you tell yourself you don't care what you look like at the gym, let's face it, if you bumped into your ex at the gym, you would want to look at least half decent. The great thing about working out at home is it doesn't matter what you look like.You can wear that old t-shirt that you would normally not leave the house in and scrape your hair back. As long as you wear the appropriate supportive bra and footwear, it doesn't matter what else you wear, as no one is going to see you!

5. No Small Talk

Now, I'm a sociable person and love to meet people but when I'm working out, I like to work out. There are some people who love the social aspect of the gym, whilst there are others who don't really want to engage in small talk. Working out at home is great for that. You can save time by getting stuck into your workout without having to engage in chit chat with others.

6. It's Right There

With the rising cost of fuel, who wants to spend their valuable cash on fuel to get the gym? If it's on your way back from work or college or pretty close to you, then this probably doesn't apply, but if you have to make a diversion to get to the gym then think about the money you could save by working out at home. You can also save precious time. Just think of all the extra things you could do if your gym was just there!

7. It's More Convenient

I love working out first thing in the morning and whilst I'm always tempted to press the snooze button and have those extra five minutes in bed, once I'm up and working out I feel amazing and it makes me feel fabulous for the entire day.You will keep burning those calories throughout the day if you work out in the morning to.

These are just a few reasons why I ditched the gym in favor of home workouts. I'm not saying I will never go back to the gym but for now, my home gym suits me fine. What do you love about your workout routine, whether it's at the gym or at home?