Why I'm Sticking With 20-Minute Home Workouts Over the Gym

I’ve been thinking about the gym again.

There's a pull to it, a feeling of getting "serious" about training. The racks of weights, the cable machines, the sheer potential of the space. It feels like the logical next step in my physical journey. And yet, for weeks now, I have hesitated. Instead, I’ve been consistently showing up for 20-minute strength workouts with Apple Fitness+ in my garage.

This period of indecision has become a fascinating case study in what actually works versus what we think should work.

The Case for the 20-Minute Commute-Free Workout

On paper, a 20-minute home workout sounds like a compromise. But in practice, I’ve come to realise it has four profound, and perhaps surprising, advantages for me at this stage of my life.

First, the efficiency is undeniable. The time saved by eliminating a commute to and from a gym is not trivial. In a life filled with family commitments and the demands of building a business, that reclaimed 30-40 minutes is the difference between a workout happening or not happening at all.

Second, the coaching and structure work. I’m genuinely motivated by the coaches and the well-designed plans. The workouts are timed perfectly, pushing me just enough without feeling overwhelming. This curated experience removes the cognitive load of having to design my own workout, a significant barrier on days when energy is low.

Third, and this is the crucial output, I am feeling real gains in functional strength. This isn't just about lifting heavier; it's about the tangible feeling of being more capable in daily life. The workouts are holistic, consistently working the anterior and posterior chains, as well as the upper and lower body, building a general resilience that I feel every day.

Finally, there is the neuromuscular surprise. Because I can easily choose a different workout every day, my body never fully adapts. Each session forces my neural system to adapt and fire in different ways to control my muscles through a new movement pattern. For anyone in their mid-50s, this constant demand for neuromuscular coordination is a powerful tool for aging well.

The Undeniable Trade-Offs

It is not a perfect system. I miss the gym. I miss the access to a diverse set of weights and, most of all, the versatility of cable pulley machines. My ability to truly focus on and isolate individual muscle groups is limited.

I do what I can to mitigate this. I have a 10kg kettlebell and an adjustable bench, which allows for some variation and progressive overload. But it is, admittedly, a constraint.

The Verdict: The Sweet Spot for Right Now

And yet, when I weigh it all up, the conclusion is clear. The consistency, efficiency, and surprising neurological benefits of the 20-minute Apple Fitness+ workouts far outweigh the drawbacks for me right now. It is hitting the absolute sweet spot for this season of my life.

There is, however, one final trade-off that has nothing to do with fitness. The gym is a "third place." It’s a place to get out of the house and be around other people. And in our ongoing "social recession," the loss of that is something I feel.

But for now, the verdict is in. The home workout wins. The journey continues.