5 Major Benefits of Having an At-Home Gym

New year, new goals, right? If your New Year’s resolution list includes getting in shape (whose doesn’t?) but you don’t want to trade the comforts of your home for a crowded, fluorescent-lit gym, we don’t blame you. Fortunately, at-home gyms can offer you the private space you need to fight the post-holiday fluff — and contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank to create an effective setup!

Read on to learn about the benefits of having a home gym — from saving money on membership fees to enjoying a personalized environment, we cover it all.

1. A Home Gym Benefits Your Wallet

Gym memberships can be expensive — especially if you have a family who likes to go to the gym too. And memberships aren’t the only expense to consider when going to the gym — you have to factor in fuel too.

By investing in a home gym setup, you can cut the cost of recurring memberships and fuel costs to create muscle gains and capital gains simultaneously. Sure, you might spend a bit of cash upfront for the equipment you need — but it’s yours to use for as long as you like — not just until your membership ends.

2. At-Home Gyms Are a Safe Space

If you’re just easing back into exercise after a long stint of inactivity, you know how vulnerable and competitive it can make you feel. With a home gym, you can prevent yourself from injuries caused by “ego lifting” and take things as slow as you need.

As an added bonus, you have ultimate control over the environment you work out in — from the time you choose to exercise and the temperature of your room to the type of entertainment you have playing in the background. So even if it’s 10 AM, crank down that AC, blast some tunes, and sing along to your heart’s content!

3. An At-Home Gym Can Be a Time Saver

Having an at-home gym means that you can skip the commute to your local gym and maximize your workout time. Get in quick and get out quick, so you can get back to spending time with your family, doing household chores, or watching TV in bed — just make sure to watch your posture if you choose that last one!

Extra free time isn’t the only benefit to ditching commute times, either; getting fit is all about consistency. And psychologically, the less time you spend on your workout (travel time included), the easier it can be to keep up with your routine.

4. They Don’t Require Fancy Equipment

One of the best things about home gyms is that they can be tailored to your workout needs, and most routines don’t require thousands of dollars of equipment. In fact, some don’t require equipment at all, like these exercise routines you don’t have to leave your bed for!

Most of us do need some equipment, though. So, if you’re looking for home gym ideas on a budget, here are our top picks:

• Resistance bands: A low-impact way to train stable, functional muscles.
• Pull-up/chin-up bar: A budget-friendly option for back, chest, and arm workouts.
• Adjustable dumbbells: A low-space alternative to the dumbbell racks at your local gym.
• Jump rope: An effective, space-saving cardio substitute for a treadmill.
• An adjustable bench/squat rack: A bit more of a space commitment, but you can do most strength training exercises on one of these combination racks.

5. Rent-A-Center Makes Creating a Home Gym on a Budget Easy

Make your New Year’s goals a reality with rent-to-own fitness equipment at Rent-A-Center. With flexible payment options, free delivery, and the option to exchange your product for something new in the first six months, building an at-home gym on a budget has never been easier. Shop online or in person today!

*“RAC Exchange” program valid for agreements entered at select locations, is available to new and existing customers and applies to inventory obtainable by store location. Cash price of the item selected for exchange may not exceed approval amount, which is subject to validation and adjustment prior to exchange and may vary from original approval amount. Exchange requires execution of rental agreement for item selected for exchange, which must be completed within six (6) months following the first active rental date of item being returned for exchange. Agreement for item being returned for exchange must be in good standing (with all rental payments current) at the time of exchange and product must be in good condition. Rent paid for prior agreement will be applied to reduce the total cost to own for the replacement agreement but rent paid may not be applied in full to Same As Cash amount for replacement agreement. Any applicable Same As Cash period will apply to new agreement based on product selection and agreement term. The amount of rent paid from prior agreement eligible for application to Same As Cash amount for replacement agreement may vary from 40% to 66%, depending on your state of residence. Exchanges under program may not be combined with other discounts, offers or promotions. Participating locations only. Eligible items only. All items subject to availability and approval. See Store Manager for complete details.