Exercising at home isn’t new. We all remember the workout videos of the 80s and 90s, and most of us have tried lifting tins of beans as a makeshift weight at least once.
Some people are happy rolling out a mat in the living room or squatting in a bedroom corner with a pair of dumbbells, but fitting daily exercise into family life can be tough — both for space and for staying consistent. Others have taken a different route, creating a dedicated home gym to make regular workouts part of their routine.
This article looks at how effective these different approaches are. Can you stay on track without a lot of space? Is a home gym an unnecessary luxury when smaller, compact workouts can be just as effective? Let’s find out whether a home gym really helps with consistent, long-term fitness.
How and why has home exercise changed?
Attitudes to home workouts have shifted a lot in recent years. Before the pandemic, people did home workouts often, but usually in short bursts — an evening or weekend session, often in front of a laptop or in a spare corner. Home workouts were more about squeezing exercise into spare moments than a firm lifestyle choice. Home gyms were rarer and often seen as a luxury unless you were a trainer running clients from home. That changed with the pandemic.
Impact of COVID-19
Lockdowns made many of us rethink how exercise fits into life. For lots of people, it highlighted how fragile good health can be, and many wanted to address weight or health issues. With commercial gyms closed, the UK saw a big rise in people bringing fitness into the home.
Post-pandemic
Since 2020, research from Globedata UK shows around 53% of UK consumers bought home gym products, and 52% say they’ve worked out regularly since the pandemic. Of those, 76% plan to continue home fitness. That’s a clear shift toward preferring home workouts. A February 2023 study from Garage Gym Reviews found 61% of people now have a dedicated exercise area at home or a workout studio. People are investing time, money, and effort into long-term wellness at home.
More smart gear, wearables, and interactive content
There’s never been so much home workout content — online classes, smart equipment, social media tips, and wearables make interactive and solo training easy. People want flexible, fresh workouts tailored to them, which they may not get from a gym membership. The cost-of-living squeeze has also pushed many toward home fitness, which can be cheaper than a gym membership.
So, how do home exercisers stay motivated?
Regular workouts aren’t just physical — mental toughness matters too. Research discussed by Danielle Burns suggests casual exercisers can build the same mental stamina as pros by setting long-term goals and treating motivation as a skill.
What actually motivates us? Research by Pedro J. Teixeira and others points to self-regulation, long-term goal setting, enjoyment, and meeting personal needs as key motivators for people who stick with exercise.
How this applies to home workouts:
– Fluid workouts: Rhythm and focus make workouts feel easier. Constantly moving between spaces, hunting for gear, or fiddling with devices breaks your flow and can make you skip workouts. A home gym lets you design a space for smoother, more focused sessions — good for motivation.
– Versatile, accessible equipment: No one wants to hunt for dumbbells when they’re ready to train. Smart storage and a set space mean quick access and less friction. Gear you don’t use every day can be neatly stored for fast selection.
– Workout variety: Repeating the same routine quickly gets boring. A home gym lets you mix things up — power racks for barbell work, bikes or rowers for cardio, floor space for HIIT, yoga, or Pilates. New options help you stick with your plan.
– Group and solo options: Group classes boost motivation and accountability, while solo sessions let you focus on form and personal goals. A home gym supports both: invite friends over, join online classes, or use interactive apps.
– Personal space and time: Many people value the “me time” a home gym offers. A dedicated space encourages you to invest in your fitness at your own pace.
– Choice: Owning your routines and goals helps you take control of your fitness journey and stay committed.
Is a casual approach better?
For some, short, informal living-room workouts work better than a structured gym routine. Marie Claire fitness journalist Abbi Henderson, for example, found switching from long gym sessions to short home workouts helped when she’d lost gym motivation. She liked the flexibility: lift early, train at night, or fit in movement during lunch without commuting. Little “exercise snacks” through the day helped her stay active and enjoy workouts again.
Setting overly strict goals can harm motivation. A relaxed, flexible approach can work better for many.
Pros and cons of a home gym
Not everyone benefits from a home gym — exercise is personal. Here are common advantages and drawbacks.
Pros
– Flexibility: Train on your schedule, which helps parents and people with odd hours.
– Cost: You’ll save on membership fees and travel over time.
– Consistency: A home gym makes it easier to plan sessions, track progress, and build a routine.
– Better experience: No waiting for machines, no small talk if you don’t want it — you control your environment.
– Family friendly: A home gym can encourage family members to be active and set a positive example for kids.
Cons
– Initial cost: Setting up a proper gym can be pricey. But you can start small and stick to a budget — secondhand gear and simple setups work well.
– Space: You need room to move and store equipment, which not everyone has.
– Noise: Dropping weights or loud music can bother family or neighbors. Soundproofing helps, but not every home can support a gym.
Quick tips for creating a home gym
Think about space, access, and cost before you start. A few simple tips:
– Choose the right location: Pick a spot with enough room to move and store gear. Use wall racks and foldable equipment to save floor space. Measure your area before buying equipment.
– Set a budget: Decide how much you’ll spend on flooring, lighting, and equipment. If you plan to invest in fitness long-term, it might be worth spending a bit more on a solid setup. If not, there are plenty of affordable options and secondhand deals.
– Get proper flooring and safety mats: Good rubber gym flooring absorbs shock, reduces noise, protects your subfloor, and lasts longer. It’s a smart long-term investment.
– Personalise the space: Make the gym feel like your sanctuary. Add lighting, shelving, music, a media setup, tracking charts, or inspirational art. Treating it as a space for self-care makes you more likely to use it.
Final thoughts
Being active in any form is great. There’s no single right way to do it, but you can make exercise fit your life. For people who want fitness at the center of daily life, investing in a home gym can support consistency, accountability, and ownership of goals. For others, casual living-room workouts are flexible, low-pressure, and effective.
Ultimately, whether you’re a Living Room Lunger or a Home Gym Hero, the best setup is the one you’ll stick with long term.
Author
Katie McKay is a blogger for Sprung and the company website Gym-Flooring.com