In-Home or in the Gym?

I am frequently asked: “Jon, can I work out in my home or do I have to go to a gym?”

The answer: You don’t have to go to a gym. You can work out in your home – with little to no equipment – and make very good progress. Here’s how…

1. Get yourself a really good plan. Having a plan is crucial. If you try to “catch a workout,” you will probably end up being inconsistent.

You can find thousands of systems that may work for you on the Internet or in books. Just pick one and USE it. Don’t try to wing it.

2. Make a commitment to stick to that plan. Results for in-gym training tend to be better (on average) than in-home training. One big reason: When you pay for it, you’re likely to take it more seriously. (This is not always the case, of course. Some people waste their money on a gym membership.) But if you have a good system and you commit to it, you can do well.

3. Include lots of variety in your workouts. Home workouts are not nearly as exciting as going to a gym and being around other fit-minded folks – not to mention all that equipment. It’s up to you to keep it interesting by making sure your system includes plenty of variety.

4. One more thing: Keep track of your progress. Making progress is key, in the gym or at home. So no matter which workout environment you choose, keep a written record of what you’re doing. And every time you perform a particular exercise, add a rep or two here and there or some extra resistance. Perhaps less rest between sets.

Always try to do a little more. Some days you will, others you may not – but maintaining a mental attitude of progress is essential.

The bottom line is this: If you can make the commitment and get yourself a good, solid, in-home plan, you can make in-home workouts work for you.

[Ed. Note: Fitness expert Jon Benson just released his in-home fitnesss plan, The 7 Minute Muscle Body System. It requires only bands, a rubber ball, and your bodyweight to tone your body and help you burn fat. Try it for yourself.]

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