This is an excellent question. Why would you want to pay for fitness equipment if you can just step outdoors and do all the exercising you want for free? We could also extend this question and ask why anyone would pay for a gym membership if they could simply exercise in a park without paying a cent. The truth of the matter is, there are many reasons.

Exercising Outdoors Isn’t Always Free

Let’s get this out of the way upfront. Contrary to popular belief, there are often costs involved with so-called “free” outdoor activities. For example, if you like biking, even a moderately priced bicycle can set you back $500. That’s not exactly free. Hiking involves specialized boots, a backpack and other equipment and may also require admission charges to a park. Softball? You pay for a baseball glove, a uniform and participation fees. Sure, there are activities you can do that don’t cost anything, but it’s not universally free. When we participate in outdoor activities, many of us end up spending money.

Safety

When you exercise in your own home, using your own fitness equipment, you are safer. There are no worries about going out jogging alone after dark. There is no traffic to contend with (not all urban land is parks after all), no dogs to avoid, no ice to slip on and being indoors offers protection from health hazards like smog, air pollution, pollen and sun exposure.

Weather

One of the nicest things about home fitness is that you don’t have to worry about the weather. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining or snowing outside when you’re exercising in the shelter of your house. There’s no mud to wreck your shoes or worries about cars splashing you when they drive by. You control the temperature, so when its 100 degrees outside, there’s no excuse to skip your workout. And if you miss a nice spring breeze when you’re jogging, just pop open a window while you’re on your treadmill.

Privacy

One of the problems with exercising outdoors is that you are sharing your routine with every person in sight. Some people couldn’t care less, but others are a little self conscious, especially when wearing form fitting athletic gear and sweating profusely. This can be an issue with gyms as well. When you can work out in your own home, you are able to wear what you like and you don’t have to worry about people judging you, recognizing you or snapping your photo. You have complete privacy.

Convenience

For many people, getting ready to venture outdoors -whether to go jogging in the park, or to drive to their gym takes time. They want to make themselves presentable, then they have to gather any equipment they need, then they have to actually get to their destination. Given how little time we have and how small our windows of opportunity for exercise may be, all too often people decide to skip their routine because there isn’t enough time. When your home is equipped with fitness equipment, you can take advantage of it any time you have a few free minutes through the day. When you have easy access to fitness equipment, you’re far more likely to exercise.

Extras/Comfort

No matter how you might try to glamorize it, exercising outdoors can be uncomfortable. Being able to work out indoors, in the comfort of your own home, is so much more pleasant. Have you ever had to use the bathroom when jogging? There’s no frantic urgency when you’re a few steps away from your own washroom. There are no mosquitoes, gnats or flies buzzing you.

Cold drinks are available any time you need them. Many of the fitness equipment units today offer iPod input with a sound system, which certainly beats running with ear bud cables bouncing around. Many people choose to locate their recumbent bike or treadmill near a TV so they can catch up on their favorite shows or movies while exercising. When you equip your home with fitness equipment, you can work out in comfort, in an environment that’s been customized to meet your personal preferences.