Why Home Workouts Are Better Than the Gym (For Real Life Moms)

As a busy mom, deciding whether to work out at home or go to the gym depends on your schedule, your lifestyle, and your season of motherhood. Both options have benefits, but for many moms, at-home workouts are often more realistic, cost-effective, and sustainable – especially in the first year postpartum.

When energy is low and time is limited, simple and accessible wins.

Why Many Moms Prefer At-Home Workouts

At-home workouts provide the structure and support many new moms need to stay consistent with a new exercise routine.

That’s because home workouts allow you to:

• Create a consistent exercise habit
• Save time commuting to and from the gym
• Save money on gym memberships and associated fees 
• Follow structured programs without the guesswork
• Work out without feeling judged
• Model healthy habits for your children

While this applies to moms at any stage, it can be especially helpful for 40+ moms juggling young children and lower energy levels. The irony? Exercising regularly is one of the best ways to increase your energy levels naturally.

And for my gym loving mamas, there are exceptions when the gym may make more sense, which I’ll cover near the end of this post.

Preserve Your Time: It Is Precious

You’ll quickly learn how valuable time really is. Newborns average up to 10 diaper changes a day during the first few months of life. 

Add in feedings, nighttime wakings, naptimes, and snuggles, and your schedule fills up fast. Even as your kids get older, the demands don’t go away, they change. 

Time is often fragmented between doing this, doing that, throwing in an hour trip to gym may become nearly impossible. When working out at home you can get your workout in when you first wake-up, while dinner is cooking, while the kids play nearby .

This way you don’t have to force a workout in, your workout fits into your life.

The Hidden Costs of Going to the Gym as a Mom

Fitness should support your life and enhance it, not drain your wallet and stress your budget.

Many moms sign up for a gym membership with good intentions, but when the demands of mom life show up, going often gets pushed aside for other responsibilities.

I remember when my sister always purchased a local gym membership, and she never went. So all that money was wasted on something she never used.

It turns out when she finally switched to at-home workouts, not only did she find it easier to show up every day, but she also lost over 100 lbs with home workouts!

Here’s a simple chart to show you the costs associated with a few of the most popular options.

As you can see, gym memberships and fees can really add up quickly. And when you add in the hidden fees like gas, your time, and child care, you end up even paying more.

Why the Gym Can Feel Intimidating for New Moms

Many women feel intimidated when first starting their fitness journey. This is completely normal and very common.

I know when I started working out again, I was very self-conscious about how little I knew and what I’d do or look like doing. Now that I’m older, I don’t care at all, but when I was younger, I was intimidated.

Working out at home removes pressure. You don’t have to worry about what other people think, what you look like, what you’re wearing, what exercises to do, etc.

It allows you to learn and grow from the comfort of your own home. This can be a game-changer for beginners who are apprehensive about working out.

Home Workouts Can Be Easier to Stick With Consistently

One of the most important reasons working out at home trumps going to the gym is because at-home workouts provide you with structure, which is especially important during the chaos of early motherhood.

Many online workout streaming platforms provide:

• Workout calendars
• Guide videos to help you get started
• Easy to follow guided workout videos
• Nutrition support
• Recipes
• Community accountability to help keep you on track

Walking into a gym without a clear plan or personal trainer is overwhelming unless you know what you’re doing. At home, you simply get to choose what program you’re following and press play. 

When the Gym May Make Sense

The gym can be a viable option for new moms, but it’s not often the most practical for every mom. Gyms that have childcare if you don’t have anyone to watch your kids are a must. Most local gyms do have childcare. The only downside is childcare isn’t always available at all times – they have their own schedules, which just means you’d have to work out during those time frames.

Here are some other reasons the gym may be a better option for you:

• You want live classes
• You want the social interaction
• Gym childcare services don’t bother you
• You are at a higher fitness level and need advanced equipment or heavy weights

Home Workouts Can Provide Greater Consistency

If you want to get even simpler, you can always do your own routine. Here is a short weekly bodyweight only routine off the top of my head:

From the table above, do one to three sets of each exercise and take a break between exercises until you feel ready to go.

If you want more guidance, then there are many sites that are dedicated to home workouts.

Getting started with an at-home workout streaming site is simple:

1. Choose a workout platform(BODi, AppleFit, Pelaton, etc)
2. Pick a workout program that fits your current fitness level
3. Press play and begin

Most online workout streaming services allow you to filter through the workouts to find what you want by:

• Fitness level
• Workout type
• Duration

Some even have complete nutrition plans for each workout program, meal plans, and recipes.

My Simple Home Workout Setup

You don’t need a lot to get started with home workouts. Here is what I would say I use 90% off the time:

• yoga mat
• resistance loops
• a few pairs of dumbbells
• workout app | BODi(my review)

I see many people overcomplicate what they think they need to get a workout in at home and honestly, you don’t need much to get started. Start and see what you need as you go is what I did.

Pro Tip: Avoid Mom Life Distractions to Get Your Workouts In

It’s so easy to get distracted as a new mom while running around trying to do everything else – whether you have a job outside the home or care for your children full-time. Either way, life often gets in the way. Here are some simple tips to make the time to workout and to get those home workouts in.

• Start small. Even 10 minutes counts.
• Use nap times or quiet times to your advantage
• Schedule your workout into your day as you would any other important appointment
• Prep your workout space ahead of time. Even choosing your workout outfit the night before can help make working out easier the next day.
• Think of working out as your “me time,” which is important for any mom to have. I know too many new moms who think it’s selfish to take time away from their babies, but it’s important to work out for your mental and physical well-being

Check out my new 20-minute Mom Moment workout plan to sneak in your workouts through out the day. There are 7 days worth of workouts built to squeeze into busy mom life.

The Final Reason To Stick with Home Workouts

At the end of the day, the best workout for you is always going to be the one you’re going to stick with. For busy moms, at-home workouts offer the flexibility, affordability, and realism during an often demanding time of life that you can stay consistent with.