gym membership or buy a treadmill?

LL1894

should I spend £55 a month for gym membership with access to a swimming pool? or should i buy a treadmill and have constant access to a workout so i have no excuses not to excercise? what do you guys think I should do? I've been changing my mind everyday for the past week it's making my head hurt, any advice or help with this decision would be greatly appreciated!

Docmahi

whichever you think you will do consistently - I've had a treadmill in my basement for years but I never use it, but I go to the gym 4-5 times a week for the last two years because it is way more fun for me

whatever you will stick with and adopt into your lifestyle is the way to go

DianneP6772

Is the gym close by, or is it on the way - to or from work? In my experience - it has to be very convenient for me to use. If it is, I will, if not - it gets missed over and over - and there you go paying that monthly fee.

ShannanG777

In my experience, actually going to a place dedicated to fitness (the gym) made me work out. Where as having exercise equipment at home... there was always something else I had to do, and I never got around to doing it.

jwdieter

I work out 3 days/week at the gym and 3 days/week at home. I have a Concept 2 rower at home that I sometimes incorporate into my home workouts. It was worth getting because we use it.

Anyway, the key is scheduling and doing. If you can't commit, they're both a waste of money.

cwolfman13

If all you plan to do is drone away on a dreadmill...I mean treadmill, then just get the treadmill. A gym is going to provide you with a lot more than just access to a treadmill and a pool. Personally, variety is the spice of life. Not to mention, most gyms have a weight room...resistance training is essential to a balanced fitness regimen.

For what it's worth, most people who have exercise equipment in their home rarely use it...or rarely use it for long. They usually just end up being really expensive coat racks or places to hang your laundry. At least with a gym membership you can just do month to month...if you find yourself wusing out just cancel...no harm no foul and you didn't drop a grand on a coat rack.

megan1869

I love having a treadmill. In my experience as long as it is near a TV I am good to go! I pick a series that I really want to watch on Netflix or regular television and make it a rule that I can watch it ONLY if I am using the treadmill... that being said I've had it a long time and also keep a gym membership for when I want to swap it up - my gym includes classes, pool, sauna etc.

GetSoda

You've had access to walking your entire life. Why do you need a treadmill?

MyaPapaya75

treadmill if you live where the bitter cold month are about to hit us,,,,no excuse to slack off then

Ribena145

I agree with the others....go to the gym - more variety. Plus you can always stop your membership if you move for example or want to try another gym (whatever), but that treadmill would have to go with you and who gets to move it? Plus the treadmill loses it's value like a car.....the minute you take if off the lot.....you lose half the value!

sasers

I use my treadmill every day. It's nice to be able to use in my spare time, I can do it summer or winter indoors. I can read while I walk. Since my schedule changes all the time, it's nice to have available when ever I need it. I don't have to drive anywhere...I can change my speed and incline settings and don't have to worry about the heat/rain/snow/dogs etc.

Lili0817

I say go to the gym where you can get a full body workout and lift weights. They may also have some good classes. For me, I get motivated seeing other people around me workout. I also don't think you're going to get the best workout by just doing a tredmill. It may be OK for cardio, but what about building muscle and getting toned? Only muscle looks good naked

redladywitch

The problem is that treadmills eventually require some type of maintenance or break down all together. That is expensive and not worth the cost of the repairs. I had a treadmill. This happened to me and my treadmill took up a huge amount of room.

The gym will offer you more options When you're ready, you can lift weights or even join the classes they offer. There is usually a swimming pool. You also have access to personal trainers, yoga classes, and even martial arts classes most of the time.

I go to a gym now and I love it. I use the treadmill because it's easier for me to use than some of the other equipment. I also use the elliptical machine and the weight room.

Warchortle

are you going to do anything other than cardio?

the answer to this = /thread.

MyaPapaya75

You've had access to walking your entire life. Why do you need a treadmill?

if only it was that simple...its a good thought but as with many things in life...its never that simple if it were we would all be the perfect weight....

jwdieter

You've had access to walking your entire life. Why do you need a treadmill?

If you can actually commit to an activity during entertainment, it's a solid investment. Can watch a show and exercise at the same time.

And some people live in areas where a treadmill is a much better option at night.

We had a treadmill for a while that we got for free. Was a good investment at that price. When we got tired of it, we put it on the street and it was gone in a day.

trogalicious

run outside, it's free and a lot less boring. Still get the membership for access to other stuff if that's what you want to do.

griffith5150

Took me awhile to figure out myself but I will do the gym membership, a couple reasons, if I am going to spend money on a gym membership damn than I rather use it than lose out that money. Some reason it doesn't work out that way with me when it comes to be in my house, example would be my Sony PS3 and Xbox 360 they just sit there and I play PC games instead. :frown:
So I know to myself it just be one really big and expensive paper weight. Also I like the idea of doing weight training or spinning or something else the gym offers over the treadmill.

justlast

my treadmill has been a complete godsend, but i'm also really anxious about people seeing me exercise - if you don't have those kind of issues, a gym membership would probably be a better bet.

sugboog29

I have a treadmill in my garage and use it minimum of 3 times a week. My answer to you...join the gym, much more equipment there than just cardio on the treadmill. Possibly classes you can join in on, etc. I love my treadmill and when the weather outside is bad I really like it. But to add to my workout I have a ton of DVD's but would love to join a gym. Unfortunately I live in a very small town and we have 2 different ones, the VERY expensive and the reasonably priced one. The reasonably priced one is extremely small and always crowded. Search to see if there is a good gym close to you that is reasonably priced, then go for it!

_EndGame_

You're paying £55 a month for a gym membership that gives access to a swimming pool? Wow... Mines £15 a month, with unlimited access to the swimming pool at my local sports centre. I would say find a cheaper gym.

I do have a treadmill at home, but as stated above, I recently joined a gym, for a reasonable price, which if I stick to going, will make the treadmill useless, so I'll end up selling it. Don't get me wrong though, the treadmill has been a GREAT buy for me upto now, I just figured going to the gym would be the next step (contemplating going swimming for the first time since I was 13)

lisalsd1

I have both a treadmill and a gym membership. I've owned a treadmill for use and have used it consistently. I decided to join a gym last year. I prefer the gym. I use the treadmill, BUT I also use other machines, weights, etc. I also prefer the gym, b/c it's less boring than my basement. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so I felt isolated while working out at home. The gym has allowed me to meet other women with kids my age. Definitely prefer the gym.

jlahorn

What's worked for me is a gym membership and a step for home. I can do step aerobics (heck, you can just step up and down for 30 minutes) while watching a movie, and go to the gym for fun exercise. Steps are pretty cheap, they're small, and they're much more portable than a treadmill. Same goes for those little jogging trampolines.

michellekicks

A gym membership for sure. You can walk and/or run outside your home if you want... any time. With a gym membership you can lift weights and swim when you want to. Way more versatile!

Akimajuktuq

3 words: body weight exercises. Also, get outside and walk/run/jump/play with kids a few times per week. That's really all you need. Better than just running on a treadmill and no need for a gym membership.

NikkiSixGuns

Personally: the treadmill does not offer any weight training options, so I'd go with the gym membership or spend the money on a decent weight set for the home.

kelseyhere

I have a treadmill, I still make excuses not to use it. With either option, you have to self motivate. Personally, I think the gym is better because you have access to more equipment and are less likely to get bored with it. You can't really get a full body workout on a treadmill alone.

OhDD65

I own a treadmill and a stationary bicycle. Oh really hot days this time of year I tend to use them 3-4 days a week while watching one of my favorite shows that I never can get around to watching. That is a draw in itself. When it starts to get somewhat boring I will wait until it cools down to 80 to go for a long walk in my neighborhood. During the winter I would much rather use them at home than go out
in the pouring rain. In fact I tend to use them even more during the winter just as something to do. However I am somewhat of a home body, so that maybe influences my choice. Did belong to a fitness club for a while, but got tired of fighting for the cardio equipment.
Also I would think during the winter months more flu bugs etc circulate in the gym. Hope this helps......

HikerRR50

Treadmill transforms into a clothes hanger

shimmertwink

I have both. I love to have access to my treadmill when I can't get to the gym. But on the other hand, I LOVE going to the gym as it always makes me want to work out harder and longer once I get there and see everyone else doing their thing! It's also a LOT less boring than going on the treadmill at home as you can people watch!

I love swimming laps (sounds like you might too), so it's awesome having access to a pool. I also love cross training, meaning instead of going on the treadmill for an hour at home (blah) I can go on it for 30 minutes at the gym, and then go 20 on an elliptical and 20 on this other machine they have that rocks, but I can't remember the name of it. Makes it a LOT more interesting, and also works different muscles, so your body gets a better overall workout.

Finally, I've just started doing the weight machines every other day after my cardio, and that adds a whole different level to my workout. There are for sure some days I don't have the time to do both, but when I do, I love it!

I would highly recommend you try the gym first (many will let you have a week trial membership for free). Please don't be intimidated - everyone starts out sometime, and no one is watching you to see how much you do, or what speed you're going.

Great luck to you, whatever you decide to do!

Kurrupt1922

Well just because you have the treadmill at home does not mean you are going to USE it. I have bought both a treadmill and elliptical and I hardly ever used them. I get distracted too much when I workout at home. It's best that I leave and go to the gym. PLUS you'll have access to much more. Just find a gym that is local, 24hours if you can. Not sure if there is a Lifetime fitness in your area, but that's the gym I go to and I LOVE it.