My Basic Home Gym Is Better Than Your Boutique Fitness Class

As someone who played sports in high school and stayed active in college and beyond, I’ve tried a lot of different workouts in a lot of different settings over the years. And I want to get one thing out of the way real fast: No form of exercise is inherently better than another. As long as you’re moving your body in a way you enjoy, keep doing what you’re doing.

That being said, I have a bone to pick with boutique fitness classes. You know, the ones that take place in super dark rooms, music blaring, influencers abound – all for the low, low price of $300 a month? I’ll stay right here spending less than $50 per month with my Peloton subscription and home gym setup that consists of a stationary bike, two sets of dumbbells, a few resistance bands, and a yoga mat.

It’s not that I haven’t given expensive group fitness classes a shot – I did CrossFit for years, justifying the $175 per month price tag by saying things like, “I can’t work out without someone telling me what to do” or “I love seeing all my gym friends each week.” And these are valid reasons to join a group fitness class. But you’d likely get the same experience with something far less expensive, like group classes at your local YMCA.

Image Source: Danielle Zickl

Experts Featured in This Article

D’Annette Stephens, CPT, is a certified personal trainer and performance enhancement specialist.

Maybe I’m just jealous. I can’t help but feel less than when I scroll through my TikTok FYP and see gorgeous girls in matching workout sets filming themselves doing every move perfectly in their Solidcore class and not panicking when they pay their monthly memberships. So if you’re anything like me and you need the reassurance that your basic home gym is enough, I assure you that it is. But don’t just take my word for it. Certified personal trainer D’Annette Stephens, CPT, agrees.

“The essentials for a good workout include your own body weight, a mat, and maybe some dumbbells or resistance bands,” Stephens says. “A good workout should elevate your heart rate and work multiple muscles.”

Stephens suggests focusing on compound exercises – moves that work multiple muscle groups at once – like squats, deadlifts, and push-ups during your home workouts. In addition, it’s important to add aerobic activities to your weekly routine, like walking, running, or cycling.

Boutique classes have taken the fitness world by storm simply because of the luxury amenities they offer, Stephens says – not because they offer an inherently better workout than a home gym (or less expensive group class).

“You’re paying for the added amenities, like eucalyptus cold towels or expensive shower products,” Stephens says. “If you’re working out by yourself at home, you can create that luxury feel for yourself. You can dip a towel in some essential oils or slice up some cucumbers to add to your water.”

Pilates, for instance, is great for your body anywhere you do it – whether you’re at the trendiest studio or on a mat in your living room. You’re still working your core and improving your posture.

“You can do mat Pilates and find a really good instructor on YouTube,” Stephens says. “You can get a great workout from just using your mat and being at home in your space.”

For me, being in my own space is truly the best part. I don’t have to hype myself up to get dressed and drive to a separate location to do a Pilates workout. I love having the ability to exercise whenever the feeling strikes, rather than waiting around for a scheduled workout class I might not be in the mood to take.

I firmly believe my home gym setup is just as good – if not better – than a boutique fitness class. I have access to all the same amenities a fancy studio offers – smoothies, protein bars, and definitely a better shower – without the astronomical monthly cost. I even have a cat who cheers me on from her bed in the corner of the room. Until your studio gets a resident feline, I’m not interested.

Danielle Zickl is a freelance writer who has 10 years of experience covering fitness, health, and nutrition. You can find her work here on PS, and in many other publications including Self, Well+Good, Runner’s World, Outside Run, Peloton, Women’s Health, and Men’s Fitness.