There’s no doubt that the popularity of working out from home is showing no sign of waning. Research shows that over half of us now prefer to get our sweat on from the comfort of our home office/bedroom/insert room of choice here – and with good reason: the benefits of working out at home are myriad. From cost-effectiveness to the absence of gymtimidation, our reasons for choosing to exercise at home are as varied as they are valid.

That said, we all want to get as much bang for our workout buck as we can, so is a home workout really as effective as going to the gym IRL or are we just kidding ourselves?

With this in mind, we asked top PTs for their take. 

First things first, let’s dig into the benefits of a home workout.

Home workouts are more affordable

In a cost of living crisis, the main draw is that home workouts are, for the most part, free. It’s perfectly possible to follow a balanced and effective exercise regime with little or no specialist equipment – although you probably want to make sure you have a supportive sports bra, suitable footwear and maybe a yoga mat for grip.

Thanks in large part to the pandemic, there’s a plethora of online classes and apps you can choose from, and many offer free trials. Plus, you can benefit from a trainer guiding you through the moves (even if it’s not in real time). 

Home workouts are convenient

We know we’re not alone in finding it tough to motivate ourselves to leave the house to exercise after a long day, even when we’re WFH. And here’s where home workouts come into their own – you don’t have to spend hours sweating it out to reap the benefits. Studies show that as little as 10 minutes of activity is associated with positive health outcomes – so if all you have time for is a 10-minute bodyweight session in between Zoom meetings, you’re still winning.

Home workouts are accessible

When we think of the barriers to exercise – cost, travelling to and from a gym, feeling self-conscious – a home workout ticks all our boxes, making movement accessible to virtually everyone. Just starting out on your fitness journey? Build up your endurance and stamina at home and you’ll feel more confident when you venture out to exercise. Likewise, if you’re a seasoned gym bunny, you’re likely to already have great form and knowledge, meaning a home workout could help you crush your fitness goals. 

Our PTs were unanimous that, for the most part, home workouts are suitable for everyone.

“Ultimately, I would say yes: home workouts can be suitable for most people, regardless of their starting fitness level or experience,” says pilates instructor Aleksandra Warburton. “However, it’s essential to consider individual factors such as pre-existing health conditions, overall fitness goals (and what’s the best way to achieve them), the space you have available and any support equipment. And finally how you can progressively layer exercises or add load to see development in your regime.”

As compelling as the arguments for working out at home are, the big question is: are they really as effective as going to a class?

As is so often the case in the fitness world, the answer isn’t straightforward. But for the most part, the PTs agree that a home workout is better than no workout at all.

“Long gone are the days of dragging ourselves out of the door to the gym full of excuses because, without a doubt, home workouts, if done correctly, can be just as effective,” agrees Kate Rowe-Ham, personal trainer and founder of Owning Your Menopause. “Movement is movement regardless, but to a certain extent, the effectiveness of any home workout will depend on your goals and motivation.”

That said, it’s important to remember that if you want to build fitness, strength and endurance, you’ll need to work hard and focus on the following tips. 

You’ll need to be accountable

“To be honest, the amount of effort you put into your workout is always going to be what you get out of it,” advises Jennie Brown, barre instructor and founder of Meet You At The Barre. “This applies both in the gym and at home. The discipline of working out at home suits some people more than others – you might find that ring-fencing workout time in your diary helps you to prioritise it.”

Prioritise your form 

If you’re trying out a totally new style of movement from home, you might want to check that you’re doing it correctly first to avoid strains and injuries. 

“Anytime you want to try a completely new form of exercise I would recommend attending a few in-person classes first,” suggests Warburton. “These will help you learn the basics, and let you watch the people around you perform a specific exercise and any corrections the instructor offers. These are all invaluable knowledge nuggets that you can take into your future practice (whether that’s in person or at home).”

Know how and when to progress

Looking to advance your regime? Make sure you take some advice first. If you are looking to progress, it’s important you understand how to achieve this without risking injury or burnout. 

“The effectiveness of your home workout can come down to your intensity,” explains Ben Simpkins, a PT and head coach at London Fitness Mamas. “It’s unlikely you’ll have super heavy weights at home, but to progress, you can start to work your muscles more through higher reps or working to a slower tempo to keep the muscles under load for longer.”

It’s important to remember that the most effective workout is always going to be the one you stick to so, if working out from home is working for you, then carry on as you were. 

Images: Getty