Do I really need to go join a gym?

all_4_my_son

I hate going to the gym; I get very intimidated working out around other individuals. Do I really need to re-join a gym to lose weight? Are there not workouts I can do at home that can help me lose weight?

I've looked for workouts on Pinterest, and they all seem to be gym based for the most part.

Any pointers will be most appreciated. Thanks!

malibu927

No you don't. You can go out for walks, do Youtube videos, buy exercise DVDs, etc.

cwolfman13

all_4_my_son wrote: »

I hate going to the gym; I get very intimidated working out around other individuals. Do I really need to re-join a gym to lose weight? Are there not workouts I can do at home that can help me lose weight?

I've looked for workouts on Pinterest, and they all seem to be gym based for the most part.

Any pointers will be most appreciated. Thanks!

You lose weight being in a calorie (energy) deficit...regardless of exercise or no exercise.

The only reason I go to the gym is for the weight room...otherwise I'm on my bike. I will lose weight riding all of the miles if I consume less calories than I'm expending in a given day (not just through exercise)...I will maintain my weight if I consume a balance of energy regardless of riding all of the miles.

TR0berts

Not at all.

You can do any of the following:

1) Not work out. I wouldn't really advise this, but all you need to lose weight is a Caloric deficit.
2) Get some basic equipment for home and follow a tried and true plan/program.
3) Use a bodyweight strength program, such as You Are Your Own Gym or Convict Conditioning.
4) Purchase a/some fitness DVD(s), such as P90X (or virtually any BeachBody product) or RushFit (my personal favorite, although I haven't done it in a few years).

Additionally, walking and running don't require - other than potentially new shoes - any equipment.

amandaeve

Try searching for "body weight" workouts or the 10-minute types- they tend to be body-weight-based. There is no need to join a gym, especially if you don't like it. However, I agree with @cwolfman13 - you need to focus on calorie balance if you want to loose weight. Gyms are for fitness, weight is different.

jonnymopar

Your original post sums up the way I feel. Luckily for you, as others have posted here, you don't need it.

I'm not sure what your starting point is in general, but for me, I started walking 1/2 mile at lunch at the beginning. Before long, it became 1 mile, then 2! I can't do much at home being on dad duty, and I can't go into a 1:00PM meeting at work sweating like a pig with a bright red face. Walking alone has done it for me, and 2-3 miles at a decent pace was just the ticket. Hopefully you can find something that works for you.

apullum

You can walk, run, hike, or bike without joining a gym.

Desertcolt07

losing weight comes down eating less and moving more. if the gym isnt for you, just find another way to move more.

happysherri

Eat at a deficit.

Find workouts that you will stick with, obviously if you don't like the gym you won't stick with it. There is such a variety out there, find something you enjoy. YouTube has tons of free workouts that do not require any equipment, look it up. Good luck

prattiger65

happysherri wrote: »

Eat at a deficit.

Find workouts that you will stick with, obviously if you don't like the gym you won't stick with it. There is such a variety out there, find something you enjoy. YouTube has tons of free workouts that do not require any equipment, look it up. Good luck

^^^^ All of this. I guess I could just say "ditto"

Tacklewasher

Here's the kicker that has been alluded to.

You don't lose weight in a gym. You lose weight by eating less calories than you burn. Getting your "diet" in order is the most important part of losing weight. I put "diet" in quotes as I'm talking about your normal eating habits, not some funky diet plan. This is what MFP helps with, and is a great tool for that.

You go to the gym to burn some extra calories to help with weight loss (or allow you to eat more and maintain your weight loss) and to improve your fitness.

So, you don't need to go to a gym, or do any exercises at all, to lose weight.

Having said that, as others have said there are great routines you can do at home. Even just walking will do wonders. Some weight lifting (dumbbells) will help make it so you don't lose a lot of muscle as you lose weight. I'm down ~ 75 lbs and have not set foot in a gym, but I do have a treadmill at home. I do a couple weight routines a week as well.

Like you, the thought of a gym doesn't appeal to me. I'm hoping to start in the fall but won't before then.

Here is one you can try with no equipment.

https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

marieamethyst

I haven't set foot in a gym in years. I workout at home using YouTube videos/DVDs (Jillian Michaels' stuff is what I usually go with: 30 Day Shred, Yoga Meltdown, Ripped in 30, etc - a lot of her stuff is less than 30 minutes, which is the ideal time for me to sneak a workout in before my little ones have a crisis), hand weights, body weight exercises, dance games on the PlayStation, walks with my kids, etc. As long as I stick to my calorie goal I lose or maintain weight. No gym needed if you don't want to go!

estherdragonbat

I'm unemployed and a gym membership is out. (Also, for religious reasons, I wear skirts and long sleeves at all times where I might be seen by men I'm not related to. I used to belong to a women-only gym, but they did minor maintenance during business hours, so men did come in. If I were working again, though, I'd probably check into other ones.)

So, I get my exercise by

1. Walking as much as possible. Whenever an errand needs running, I check my watch, check it again when I come back (or in the middle, if I'm waiting for a long time at the checkout and then check again when I start moving). There's a small supermarket about 8 minutes away, a big one thirty minutes away, and once a week, I hit multiple stores in an area 45 minutes away, and since I'm not telekinetic and can't just stand at the front of the store and mentally summon the items on my list, walking up and down aisles counts too. That trip usually takes me about 2 hours round trip (net time; again, I deduct time spent in the checkout lines).
2. At my last place of business, they'd give you a catalog to select length-of-service gifts. When I'd been with them for ten years, I picked out a basic Nordic track skiier. On days when I can't walk, I use that. When I started MFP, I was doing 25 minutes. I've worked my way up to 40.
3. I've started resistance training. Walked into a fitness store I was passing by and asked for ideas and the clerk recommended medium-resistance fitness tubes. I'm currently using mine for biceps, triceps, and lats, using one exercise I got off their website and two from a YouTube video. I'll start with lower body when I get a door attachment to anchor it to. Meanwhile, the walking and skiing is probably helping a bit with that.

As everyone is saying, exercise is important; where you get it isn't.

Spliner1969

I never go to a gym. I saved the money I would have spent on a gym and purchased a cardio machine, then I do body weight exercise at home or in the warm weather I skip the cardio machine most days and replace that with walking/running then do my body weight exercises. I also purchased a few free weights and a bench but I don't use it a lot. I do mostly bodyweight stuff and have been very happy with the results.

bpotts44

People have posted some great options here but kettlebells as well are cheap and can be done in a small space in your home. I would recommend Simple and Sinister by Pavel to start

hmhall85

No; you don't need to join a gym. The only reason I go to the gym is for access to the weight equipment I'm working to build muscle because muscle mass is smaller and consumes more calories at rest.

Afura

I was intimidated my first time. I got a personal trainer once every two weeks (it's what I could afford, and kept me from being over aggressive). She made me feel more comfortable on some equipment, and showed me interesting things to do, which helped me feel more comfortable in general.
Unless there is equipment there you really need, you don't need to join a gym though. I have a jump rope, exercise bands, a balance ball, yoga mat and some low weight hand weights for home use. Edit: I also did a lot of exercise videos online as well to help get in better cardio shape and also give me variety so I didn't get bored. Not necessary for weight loss, but good for overall health.

ninerbuff

No.
Exercise is for fitness and health. Not required for weight loss.
Exercise can be done several ways outside of a gym and doesn't have to include any simulation of strength training.
Exercise CAN help increase your calorie deficit which is why many include it in a weight loss plan.
If all else fails.............................just walk.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

vingogly

I lost 70+ pounds without going to the gym, I just did more walking. However -- I wish I'd done some strength training, too. Personally, I'd rather go to a gym for weight training and the cardio machines -- I find being around other people motivating. But that's not true for everyone - some people find being around others de-motivating.

Sonja_Serfontein

12 WEEK NO-GYM HOME WORKOUT PLAN

Monday
• 20 Squats
• 15 Second Plank
• 25 Crunches
• 35 Jumping Jacks
• 15 Lunges
• 25 Second Wall Sit
• 10 Sit Ups
• 10 Butt Kicks
• 5 Push Ups

Tuesday
• 10 Squats
• 30 Second Plank
• 25 Crunches
• 10 Jumping Jacks
• 25 Lunges
• 45 Second Wall Sit
• 35 Sit Ups
• 20 Butt Kicks
• 10 Push Ups

Wednesday
• 15 Squats
• 40 Second Plank
• 30 Crunches
• 50 Jumping Jacks
• 25 Lunges
• 35 Second Wall Sit
• 30 Sit Ups
• 25 Butt Kicks
• 10 Push Ups

Thursday
• 35 Squats
• 30 Second Plank
• 20 Crunches
• 25 Jumping Jacks
• 15 Lunges
• 60 Second Wall Sit
• 55 Sit Ups
• 35 Butt Kicks
• 20 Push Ups
Friday
• 25 Squats
• 60 Second Plank
• 30 Crunches
• 55 Jumping Jacks
• 60 Lunges
• 45 Second Wall Sit
• 40 Sit Ups
• 50 Butt Kicks
• 30 Push Ups

Saturday
• REST

Sunday
• REST

Cardio (by week)
1. 30 second sprint, 30 second jog (5x)
2. 35 second sprint, 45 second jog (6x)
3. 45 second sprint,60 second jog (7x)
4. 50 second sprint, 45 second jog (8x)
5. 55 second sprint, 30 second jog (7x)
6. 60 second sprint, 45 second jog (7x)
7. 60 second sprint, 45 second jog (6x)
8. 65 second sprint, 60 second jog (5x)
9. 70 second sprint, 45 second jog (6x)
10. 75 second sprint, 30 second jog (7x)
11. 80 second sprint, 45 second jog (8x)
12. 100 second sprint,30 second jog (5x)

Ariliz23

I don't know where you are in terms of fitness, but the mistake I made was to jump in and want to do it all in one day. I'd work out hard for a few weeks, get injured and need to be out for weeks. Then I'd hit it hard, injure myself...

I belong to my local rec center because it's less "gym-y" and the people are like me and it's cheap. They have free classes and gentle programs for people with disabilities or who are older.

But when I can't get to the gym - or don't want to - I do Wii sports here. It's not a great workout, but it gets me moving. Wii golf, bowling, tennis. And they have more strenuous workouts too. You can also rent exercise DVD's from the library or find them on TV. They have yoga, stretching, cardio sorts of things. Places like ARC or Goodwill also generally have an exercise section with equipment and DVD's to try out.

Going out for a walk is great too. And if you go to "Meet Up" for your area, you may find a group paddling the same canoe - people who don't like the gym - who get together for walks or hikes or other exercise adventures.

I like to believe exercise isn't just walking on the treadmill. I need to do that to get started, but I'm looking forward to going out on hikes and maybe even a bit of rock climbing!

Machka9

Do I really need to go join a gym?

Nope ... you can buy a bicycle instead.

Or a decent pair of walking shoes.

denziljedwards

1.When you state the word hate with Gym, your creating a dangerous idea and it spread in all areas to avoid things good or bad.

2. To break this thinking pattern, you must create a " why" for your self and your your own purpose.

3. Everyone goes to the gym for a specific goal or reason. Create your own workout plan, nobody is better because someone can lift more weights or run longer on treadmill etc.

4. We all have been where you are, and we all can testify, when we put our health first, our lives are just that much better the day before.

5. I challenged you today to call professional health coach, that can be a guidance for you; and lead you on the right path.

Sincerely
The Purpose

dfwesq

Not everything has to be labeled as exercise to give you a benefit. It can also be something you do for fun (like dancing, hiking, or skating). Taking a class or doing a group activity can be more fun than going to a gym. Exercise can also be something you do because it needs to be done (like yard work or walking dogs). If you don't have enough things at home to do, you can always volunteer to help someone else out. Btw, all those things are listed in the database as exercise.

perkymommy

malibu927 wrote: »

No you don't. You can go out for walks, do Youtube videos, buy exercise DVDs, etc.

This.

Anytime I've ever joined a gym I end up not going for months and losing money and then canceling it. For me, it was never having the time to go and drive somewhere, change clothes, work out, change again and drive home. Too much hassle. I have a treadmill in my garage I try to walk on and started back at every other day on it. I think walking on a trail or track somewhere is just fine.

ritzvin

all_4_my_son wrote: »

I hate going to the gym; I get very intimidated working out around other individuals. Do I really need to re-join a gym to lose weight? Are there not workouts I can do at home that can help me lose weight?

[1] For just losing weight, a calorie deficit is all you need... so you just have to eat less than if you were working out.
[2] To increase your fitness level, muscle - you still don't need to join a gym..

•CARDIO: Personally, I despise hampster wheels, so I never do cardio at the gym (not counting 5-10 minutes on the elliptical/bikes/stationary row as a warm-up before stretching then weight training). Running, cycling, hiking, roller blading, dancing will all get you a cardio workout.

•STRENGTH TRAINING:
-- Most of us spend fairly little time on the specialty machines...we're mainly near the weight racks and cables .. which are easily replaced with cheaper dumbbells and resistance bands until you get stronger.
○ Arms/Shoulders/Back - Especially if you are not already very strong, you can get a lot of out fairly cheap dumbbells. Push-ups are a staple (you can do them at an angle against a low table until you get stronger. they also slightly work the core). Pull-ups/chin-ups (you can try these angled like with the push-ups if you can mount something low enough). You can add some resistance bands for more variety. (Think of it as you are mainly trying to replicate pushing or pulling heavy stuff possibly at different angles).
○ Core - Most core exercises don't require equipment. Planks. Crunches. reverse crunches.
○ Legs - a lot of leg exercises don't require equipment. Squats, lunges optionally with dumbbells. Can add box jumps if you purchase one of those aerobic step platform things. There are some resistance band exercises you can do.

ritzvin

Not necessarily the best workout (my slave driver is away so I was left to my own devices), but here's an example..

TheJourneyToFabulous

I dont go to the gym due to work and not having alot of extra pennies

I do some lesley sansone 15 min mile videos and a 15 min workout plus 5/10mins with my weights 5 days a week I feel a lot better in the house doing these

Evamutt

I love going to the gym, but you don't have to. I have a hard time exercising at home(besides walking & bike riding) but I have done a few from videos from "spark people" site. There's one that you do in a chair i like also.

BaGoetz

Pinterest has many different boards for body weight workouts, getting in fast and efficient workouts at home and work, and others you can do wherever the mood strikes. A gym is convenient for all the equipment and having someone at hand who can answer questions about proper form so you do not injure yourself.

Try body weight exercises like ritzvin shared. Planks, crunches, push ups, squats, lunges and short sprints cover almost all the large muscle groups and add in cardio. Try running up and down your stairs combined with very slow and deliberate steps up and down to really engage those large muscles and strengthen you knees. It is an awesome workout. We do this at work in the stair wells.

Best luck!
B

JacquiH73

I do calisthenics. It incorporates both cardio and strength training. No gym or equipment needed.

http://darebee.com/

You can find videos on youtube to help you with your form.