I never get a good workout at the gym

lady_ghost

I have been going to the gym twice
a week for two months. I work out at home 2-3 times a week. I never get a good workout from the gym, I never feel sore and I just generally hate going there. I get a way better workout/ burn at home. At the gym the place is a mess, people hog the machines and stare you down. I dont feel comfortable, especially since I'm new and trying things out..but even when I push myself to complete my routine I just dont feel much of a burn. Alot of times im waiting around for ppl to complete a set, I'm wondering if I should just buy more gym equipment and stay home. anyone else have this problem?

sardelsa

Keep in mind, burn doesn't necessarily equal results. But some people like to feel like they worked hard .. and that keeps them satisfied so if the gym environment isn't working for you, I say invest in some more equipment and workout at home! I do and I love it

gearhead426hemi

Once I quit the gym I started enjoying my workouts even more. You don't really need a lot of fancy expensive gym equipment to get a great workout. Get creative, get outside, the world is your gym and your body will provide all the resistance you need.

lady_ghost

thank you i always had this idea that i wasnt going to improve unless i joined a gym but i see the opposite happening

mlrtri

I have heard others complain of that but I have found a great Wellness Center. I had a fitness assessment when I started and they set me up on a program. It tells me exactly what exercise to do and what time/resistance/reps/etc. maybe I don't hit the r ally busy times but I rarely have to wait. Maybe you haven't found the right place for you. But there is nothing wrong with home exercise. Find what works and go with it. This journey is different for each of us.

sardelsa

lady_ghost wrote: »

thank you i always had this idea that i wasnt going to improve unless i joined a gym but i see the opposite happening

Yea it is definitely possible to make significant progress at home, I think I am a pretty decent example of that

gearhead426hemi

Check out plyometric training. It is all body weight exercises that in my opinion build real use muscle and endurance. There are thousands of routines out there but I like this guys workouts. You can see the simple things in his gym and get creative on your own too.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjwF8rxRsotnojGl4gM0Zw

Antaste

I enjoy working out at home (and bench and a set of free weights is pretty much all I need) but I also enjoy going to the gym. Thing is tho, I go there usually around 4am and workout in "women's section" so I don't really have a problem with having to wait for others, etc. - there's only me and my music

VintageFeline

The only reason I'd go to a gym is if I suddenly decided "proper" heavy lifting was for me as I don't have room for squat racks and such at home. But otherwise, I have my adjustable dumbbells and mats and just go at it at home. I add things here and there, like I have a mini stepper if I want a bit of easy extra cardio. I'm going to add some resistance bands for good old resisted kickbacks etc.

There are a lot of people here who don't go to a gym and get great results. If you enjoy it more and are self motivated enough to complete your workouts then do it!

Penthesilea514

Pick what works for you! I find I get a bit more lazy at home, and the act of going to the gym pushes me a lot harder, plus I don't have much equipment. For now, the gym keeps me on track, but that's what works for me Good luck- there are a lot of people who make great progress without ever setting foot in a gym.

ccruz985

If you don't like the gym, don't go! I actually had a similar revelation this weekend. My home workouts benefit me so much more than going to the gym. Truly, I mostly keep the membership for when I'm travelling.

JJBCPP

Going to the gym brought me to a new level of training not because of the equipment but because of the people. I have met so many like minded individuals that hold me accountable for showing up and push me when I get there. It was completely unexpected.

No doubt you can make progress at home but finding a community at a gym can make this a whole lot more fun.

annaskiski

I'm not a 'people' person, and have always hated the gym. I used to join gyms after looking at all the interesting class offerings...but never ended up signing up for a single class. I just don't want to deal with people. (ok, I'm an engineer, we have bad social reps)

I love working out at home. I have a squat rack, olympic lifting set, treadmill and bike. (and lots of dvd's to break it up).

I do keep a $10 Planet Fitness membership to cram in some cardio at lunch sometimes (hate sitting at my desk all day), but most of my 'real' exercise is done at home...

ck2d

I'm the opposite - I halfass it at home.
Do whatever works for you!

ndj1979

are you following a structured work out routine/program, or just doing whatever you feel like?

ndj1979

gearhead426hemi wrote: »

Check out plyometric training. It is all body weight exercises that in my opinion build real use muscle and endurance. There are thousands of routines out there but I like this guys workouts. You can see the simple things in his gym and get creative on your own too.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjwF8rxRsotnojGl4gM0Zw

not really sure how plyo would build real muscle that a structured lifting plan would not...

Alidecker

ck2d wrote: »

I'm the opposite - I halfass it at home.
Do whatever works for you!

Me too, the couch is way too inviting once I am home. Space is also an issue, but even if I had more space, I am just not good at working out at home.

gearhead426hemi

ndj1979 wrote: »

gearhead426hemi wrote: »

Check out plyometric training. It is all body weight exercises that in my opinion build real use muscle and endurance. There are thousands of routines out there but I like this guys workouts. You can see the simple things in his gym and get creative on your own too.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjwF8rxRsotnojGl4gM0Zw

not really sure how plyo would build real muscle that a structured lifting plan would not...

I have a farm and when hay season comes around the kids who look strong and are in the gym can't hang with my normal farm kids which have never spent a day in the gym. My son who hates to workout can buck hay side by side with me all day long and his friend who works out 5 days a week in the gym needs to take brakes and is done by lunch. I am not saying guys in the gym aren't strong but around my farm and growing up at my uncles farm non of the gym rat kids could hang with the farm hands. Using plyo or real life hard work just builds different muscles and endurance.

zaystgeorge

lady_ghost wrote: »

I have been going to the gym twice
a week for two months. I work out at home 2-3 times a week. I never get a good workout from the gym, I never feel sore and I just generally hate going there. I get a way better workout/ burn at home. At the gym the place is a mess, people hog the machines and stare you down. I dont feel comfortable, especially since I'm new and trying things out..but even when I push myself to complete my routine I just dont feel much of a burn. Alot of times im waiting around for ppl to complete a set, I'm wondering if I should just buy more gym equipment and stay home. anyone else have this problem?

Go on YouTube and type in anabolic aliens. Their channel has the best home workouts you don't even need equipment and their 5 mins each but they will burn you the *kitten* out. Give it a try!

peaceout_aly

lady_ghost wrote: »

I have been going to the gym twice
a week for two months. I work out at home 2-3 times a week. I never get a good workout from the gym, I never feel sore and I just generally hate going there. I get a way better workout/ burn at home. At the gym the place is a mess, people hog the machines and stare you down. I dont feel comfortable, especially since I'm new and trying things out..but even when I push myself to complete my routine I just dont feel much of a burn. Alot of times im waiting around for ppl to complete a set, I'm wondering if I should just buy more gym equipment and stay home. anyone else have this problem?

Have you tried to go at a different time? I am the same way if I go at a busy time and everything is taken - I get frustrated and leave. Do you have a program that you're following? Do you go in with a set idea of what to do? It could help to have a trainer show you around the gym a few times and help you develop a plan. I know if I go in with a set list of what to do, and try to increase weight or reps every other session it will keep me feeling satisfied and like I improved my strength along with feeling motivated to get it all done.

stanmann571

Without an idea of your Programming, Planning, or goals. Discussion of location is secondary.

heybales

The "burn" could be nothing more than the fact at home you likely give minimal rest between sets, and at the gym you are forced to wait a tad longer.

So usually that means you could increase weight if there is more rest. That will make it more difficult.

If you want to really feel the burn, you can do really light weights and just hold your breath during a 30 sec rest between sets.

Does that make it better?
Not at all.

And be aware that many going to gym first time think people are looking at them that rarely are really focusing - they are in their own mind thoughts and have to look somewhere. They aren't looking at you.

Now - you spend 5 min trying to figure out a machine setup and leave sweat on the equipment and bang it around - ya, might get some looks.

What machines are hogged, just curious what seems to be popular for use?

PWRLFTR1

I felt this way when I joined my current gym. I had worked out at home, but felt I needed to join a gym to progress. I joined a small gym where everyone knew each other, very cliquish, almost quit after the first month because I didn't feel I was getting anything out of it, but kept going, slowly I got to know the people, they welcomed me to work in with them, worked with me on my form and even convinced me to get into powerlifting. It's been more than 2 years and 3 powerlifting meets and other than my bed, it is my favorite place to be.