I’m trying to decide whether to join my local gym or purchase a Bowflex home gym system, or possibly another kind. I’m a 38-year-old father of two who works a 9-6 job five days a week. Although I enjoy going to the gym (it’s a chance to “get away from it all”), the extra driving takes away from quality family time. Any recommendations?

I’m trying to decide whether to join my local gym or purchase a Bowflex home gym system, or possibly another kind. I’m a 38-year-old father of two who works a 9-6 job five days a week. Although I enjoy going to the gym (it’s a chance to “get away from it all”), the extra driving takes away from quality family time. Any recommendations?

It all depends on your personal preferences. Some people need the motivation provided by a gym’s surroundings to make their workout every day. Others are more self-motivated or prefer the controlled environment of the home.

When I was a younger man I enjoyed going to the gym. There was a level of camaraderie and kinship that made for a great experience. As I got older, however, and my days became more full, I switched over to home gym training. As you’ve noted, having a home gym eliminates the necessity to travel for your workout, saving valuable time. Also, by this point, exercising for me is a no-nonsense affair. I know exactly what I want from each workout and with every piece of equipment in my gym at my disposal I can train with the utmost efficiency.

It sounds to me like you’re the kind of person who can do well training at home. As far as getting away, you need to make sure that wherever you set up your home gym it provides you privacy for the time you’re in it. That time to yourself is important and something not enough of us take. Whether it’s in a guest room or the basement or garage, the home gym should be off limits to distractions. Along with a good workout you’ll regain clarity and recharge your mental batteries during that hour or so and be better able to deal with all the things you have going on outside of the gym.