Over Christmas I received the Iron Gym as a present. Also, over the past year I have managed to pick up ankle weights, hand weights, The Perfect Push-up, a yoga mat, and resistance cords. There may have even been a jump rope somewhere along the way.

Since I was about sixteen, I have had a membership to one of my local gyms. It used to be called Powerhouse, but they recently changed the name to Embody. I mostly only worked out there during the summer, but there were points in time where I managed to go pretty consistently throughout the school year.

On top of this, I have been a swimmer most of my life. I have swam for both recreation and high school leagues. So, the question is: Which mode of workout made me the most toned, the most buff, or in general, the most healthy?

Hands down, if you want to get big, hit the gym. With the amount of equipment, you are bound to get some sort of forward progress. Also, actually getting up and going to the gym puts you in a  certain state of mind.  It’s like, if you’re actually going to put the effort into getting dressed, taking supplements, and driving to the gym, then you better make something of it.  Not to mention, you are most likely paying for a membership, so while you are there it is best to hit the weights hard. It’s a little like studying at home or at the library. Studying at home is like working out at home. You can get things done, but you can’t really get in the zone. There are distractions. But, working out at the gym is like going to the library to study. You put the effort in driving there, so you have to make the best of it. Plus, you end up in a facility where you can do one thing and one thing only: workout; so your mentality changes.

My favorite and hardest habit to break has been to not workout at home, but it’s just so easy. You don’t have to get up and go anywhere and you can look however you want. My routine is usually along the lines of wake up, don’t shower, workout sporadically throughout an eight hour span of the day, and call it quits. You throw in some abs here, some push-ups there, maybe a lunge or two and you’re golden. However, having some equipment makes for a more intriguing workout. For instance, the Iron Gym is something I have recently grown to love. You have three different positions for pull-ups, three different positions for push-ups, and and opportunity to do some ab and tricep work. After all, pull-ups are an excellent workout. Your shoulders, back, lats, abs, and biceps get a great workout. If you want to build strength and look ripped, the pull-ups are the way to go. The Iron Gym also offers a position for doing some dips, but don’t get too excited. They are hardly dips and I personally don’t feel the burn.

The Iron Gym is perfect for pull-ups, but naturally, The Perfect Push-up, is perfect for just that, push-ups. I do use the Iron Gym for push-ups, but it doesn’t compare to the Perfect Push-up. It has something to do with the rotating motion. After about a month of using these everyday, or at least every other day, I was able to get some cleavage going. Not to mention, my arms (biceps and triceps), even shoulders, looked much more massive. My muscles also started to get pretty hard, more ripped.

In the ninth grade I had a friend with a six pack. I remember asking him at a sleepover how he got his stomach so flat. He told me that he did some sit ups here and there. Ever since then, I’ve never looked back. I’ve always told myself that if I can’t have the bulking biceps, big chest, ripped back, or hulking legs, then I would at least have some abs. Abs are the perfect at home workout. No need to go to a gym to get your stomach flat, or ripped. Get yourself some ankle or hand weights and look up some ab exercises. A yoga mat helps too. I mostly stuck with carpet these past few years, but recently picking up a yoga mat makes for a more comfortable workout. Trust me, after a month of consistent abs you will notice a change.

Overall, there are many ways to get fit. In my opinion, go to the gym if you want to get big. Buy some NO Explode and some whey protein and hit the weights hard. Lift heavy with less reps. If you want to get ripped, cut, or toned, then you can stay home. Exercises that use your own body weight as resistance, like push-ups and pull-ups are great for getting a slim and toned figure. Plus, you can save money without a gym membership.

Still, the workouts that have made me feel the most healthy are related to swimming. There is no high impact on joints or bones. You train your lung capacity. And, you get to work out every muscle in the body. Your shoulders will broaden, your waist will look slim; it’s a great workout and sport.  Swimming is a good way to get your heart rate up and burn fat too. So, if you ever happen to be at a pool in the right weather, consider swimming some laps or doing some sprints. I’ve always heard that breathing is an overlooked part of working out and staying trim anyway. So, I may actually put that yoga mat to better use and see if yoga can work in a synergistic  way with my normal workout routine.

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