If We Have Workspaces in Our Homes, Why Would We Go to an Office?

I just finished reading The Gym and the Pitch: Or Why We Should Fight with Our Coworkers by Naomi Sakamoto, and she kicks things off with a great question: “If we have kitchens in our homes, why do we go to restaurants? If we have TVs in our homes, why do we go to the cinema? And if we have workspaces in our homes, why would we go to an office?”

This reminds me of a Smartless podcast episode where Arnold Schwarzenegger talked about why he continued to go to Gold’s Gym in Venice—even during COVID—despite having a fully equipped gym at home. For Arnold, it wasn’t just about the workout; it was about the energy, the community, and the motivation he found at Gold’s. He thrived on being around people with the same drive, that contagious energy that made him push himself harder.

Working from home can feel similar to having that home gym. Sure, it’s convenient, and you save time commuting, but there’s something intangible that’s missing. It’s the buzz of creativity you get when you're around others, the spontaneous conversations that spark new ideas, and even the subtle accountability of being in a space dedicated to getting things done.

At Workbar, we see this all the time with our members. They might have a great home setup, but when they walk into one of our locations, they feel a shift. It’s not just about the free coffee or the comfortable seating (though those help). It’s about the community—people working hard, collaborating, and sharing in that collective drive. It’s a space where the energy of others can pull you out of a slump, where just being around other professionals can make a day feel more productive.  In a recent case study, the founder of Custom GPT said "our interactions with other really smart startups are raising the bar for both them and us. Workbar is not just desks, the real Workbar is around intellectual capacity." Mind blown, right?

Plus, there’s a level of focus that many people struggle to find at home. If you’re like me, working from home comes with its own set of distractions—whether it’s the laundry that needs folding, the dog that needs walking, or just the quiet that starts to feel isolating. Being in a coworking space gives you that mental shift, a sense of purpose that comes from getting dressed, leaving the house, and stepping into a workspace designed for productivity.

In my role as CEO of Workbar, I work elbow to elbow with our members and often see how these elements make a difference. Many of them could work from home every day but choose to come in a few days a week because they know it boosts their creativity, focus, and overall well-being. And honestly, the best ideas rarely come when you’re sitting alone at a desk all day. They come from overhearing a conversation, bouncing ideas off a coworker, or grabbing a coffee with someone else working out of the Cafe.  

So, if you’ve ever found yourself wondering why someone would leave their cozy home office for a coworking space, think about Arnold and Gold’s Gym. It’s about finding that extra edge, the inspiration that only comes from being part of a dynamic community. Just like he found motivation in lifting weights alongside other dedicated athletes, professionals find their drive and inspiration at Workbar. And, with a Workbar only 20 minutes from where you live, it’s pretty convenient too.