When it comes to exercising, are these the types of thoughts that run through your mind?

"I don’t have time to make it to the gym."
"I’m just too tired after work to go work out."
"I just can’t justify paying that much for a membership."

If these thoughts are holding you back from implementing an exercise program, then maybe it's time to make a change.

Exercising at home has become more and more popular due to the variety of fitness equipment available. Gone are the days where the gym was the only place you could get a quality full body workout, or have an all-in-one machine that did not take up an entire room in your house. Whether you are looking to improve your cardiovascular system, lose weight, gain lean muscle mass, or just stay active, in-home training has a place in your life.

1. Fits your daily life

With a home gym, you fit your exercise routine into your schedule, rather than trying to manage your schedule around getting to the gym. Having your own home gym gives you the freedom to train when you want to train, whether it's when the kids are off to sleep, during your favourite television program, or bright and early before the rest of the family is awake.

2. Comfortable atmosphere

A benefit of having your own home gym is you can exercise in an environment that you enjoy and feel comfortable with. When setting up your home gym, ensure it is in an area of the home that keeps you motivated and where you can enjoy spending as much time as you need to.

3. Life is busy

Whether we have kids, a busy work schedule with long hours, or just a lot on the go, rarely do most of us put our fitness commitments first, especially for those that feel exercise is an additional chore. Having a home gym that you can rely on at any time will ensure that you can fit in your training sessions and stay committed despite the uncertainty of life.

4. Family time

One of the best reasons to have a home gym is the opportunity to make fitness a family affair. Exercising is a great positive mood booster and having other family members work out alongside you can really make the workout even better. Create an environment where the entire family can spend time together training rather than being occupied with electronic devices or sitting in front of the TV. Everyone will be healthier and happier.

5. Save money on a gym membership

With increasingly high membership prices these days, it makes sense to invest wisely on equipment for yourself. I encourage you to calculate how much you spend on a membership per year. Now add 10 years and estimate the total amount you will spend on a gym membership. For some people, that number is way up there! You can conceivably save yourself many thousands of dollars by gradually building your home gym.

6. Variety

When designing and building your home gym, the possibilities are endless. A benefit to having a home gym is you decide which pieces of fitness equipment you enjoy and would like to own. You can select from many different options of cardio equipment, free weights, home gyms, functional trainers, boxing gear, or fitness accessories.

How do I get started?

Now that we see how beneficial it is to have a home gym, the next step is to determine what type of home gym fits your lifestyle and space. In a future segment, I will outline how to build your personal home gym, from picking up some fitness accessories under $100 to creating a space that that friends and family alike will be in awe of, asking you how much a membership costs.

Also a tip: By simply walking or running using your treadmill at home for around 30 minutes a day will reduce your chance of getting varicose veins.

Carmen Deacetis is a certified Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer, co-owner of FitFX and manager at Spartan Fitness Equipment. He has been helping individuals create sustainable lifestyle habits, assisting them in attaining their health and wellness goals.