Comparison of the Effectiveness of Home-Based Workouts and Gym Training according to Caloric Intake

Abstract

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With the advancement in technology and the growing sedentary lifestyle, comorbidities related to obesity and overweight are also increasing. Every other person complains of weight gain and is looking for ways to reduce pounds on the scale. Most people have started working out at their homes instead of going out to the gym due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, while others have a proper routine of working out in the gym. Thus, our research study compares the effectiveness of home-based workout programs and gym workouts to analyze which type of workout will provide the most effective results in the shortest time, keeping in view the participants' caloric intake. This study aims to inspect the amount of fat loss, changes are seen on the weight scale, changes in body composition (via BIA analysis), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, keeping in view the intensity and duration of exercise parallel to their caloric intake. It was a four week (one month) comparative study on 50 home-based exercisers and 50 adults working out in the gym (ages 19 – 39) under the supervision of a trainer. The weight, body and visceral fat percentages were assessed using a Body Impedance Analysis (BIA) machine. Also, variables measured were waist circumference, height, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate and social status (through MacArthur's subjective social status ladder). There was observed dietary history from every individual through a 24-hour dietary recall for the past three days. Subjects had a follow-up after every seven days (weekly), and all the data was entered and analyzed on SPSS. 

Out of 100 participants, 68% study participants were males and 32% participants were females. Most of the participants were not taking any diet or were taking greater than equal to 1400 kcals per day. Comorbidity data showed that, 86% participants did not have any comorbidities while remaining 14% had different types of comorbidities. 49% participants were doing strength training, 34% were performing cardio, 12% were doing aerobics and 5% opted for yoga. In the gym in higher social status, it is only males that are working out while some females of low socio-economic status also work out at the gym. Males of very low socioeconomic status also prefer gym workout. In home-based work out there is equal number of males and females in higher social status whereas only females of low socioeconomic status prefer working out at home. Gender wise distribution of type of exercise (TOE) and type of diet (TOD) data showed that most males are strength training with ≥ 1400 kcal. Most females perform cardio exercises with a caloric intake of 1100 to 1300 kcal per day.  classification of subjects according to body mass index (BMI) showed that 4% individuals had lower BMI, 24% were normal, 14% and 22% were overweight and obese respectively, however 28% had morbid obesity. Results showed that people who do home based workout had significant difference with body fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, waist circumference and body mass index. However, there were no significant differences found in terms of Waist to hip ratio, heart rate, and Respiratory Rate. The chi-square test shows .001 significance which means there is a significant association between BMI and gender. Gym and home-based workouts have their benefits, and we cannot label one as more beneficial. But people who work out in the gym had lesser body fat and lesser visceral fat, which gives it more significance. Moreover, gym workouts proved to keep control of blood pressure in individuals. Both gym and home workouts have similar effects on the waist to hip ratio, heart rate and respiratory rate. The benefit of home workouts is evident in reducing waist circumference.