Gym membership or Kettlebell??

kshadows

I know, it sounds like a ridiculous comparison. But, I really can't afford both right now. So... would I be better off buying a kettlebell to use at home, or get the gym membership for a month and see how that goes?

I have 35 lbs to lose and LOTS of toning to do. I've heard strength training can do wonders for toning (freeweights, which is what I'd be getting the membership for) but I've also heard that kettlebell routines are good for the same.

Opinions?

thatgirlkellib

Kettlebells do wonders girl go for it!

MarioLozano16

I'm pretty sure most gyms have kettlebells, plus tons of other equipment to use

vvendy_darling

Since the gym membership is only for a month get the kettlebells

healthyplans

I have a gym membership where I use their kettlebells of different weights... that is one of the benefits of gym membership--lots of variety. Sorry, I'm not much help... but good luck finding what works for you.

alpine1994

Since the gym membership is only for a month get the kettlebells

I agree with this. Fitnessblender.com has some great kettlebell workouts for free, as well as other types of workouts (cardio, yoga/pilates, bodyweight training, etc.) if you want to mix it up.

Of_Monsters_and_Meat

A set of kettle bells will run you about 300 - 400 dollars USD.

or you just mean one kettle bell? It would be good for a week until you need to increase weight.

csuhar

I'm pretty sure most gyms have kettlebells, plus tons of other equipment to use

This is my general take. While I'm a big fan of at-home workouts, you're likely to find a greater variety of programs and equipment at the gym.

The reason more of my exercise regimen tends to be at-home or running around the neighborhood is that it's easier schedule-wise. I don't have to worry about hours of operation or times when crowds get heavy. But I still use the gym twice a week to lift.

Capt_Apollo

I'm pretty sure most gyms have kettlebells, plus tons of other equipment to use

this.

while a kettlebell is a pretty versatile piece of equipment, a gym is great and you have access to a lot of stuff.

dshalbert

If those are your choices, chose a gym that has free kettle bell classes. It is really easy to do the kettle bell moves wrong, so it would be good to start with someone that can check your form.

CyberEd312

I would say it is a personal preference to whether you want to work out at home or at a gym. What are your plans long term? If you are going to make this a lifestyle and like the gym environment then I would say do that, they would have everything you want (kettle bells, free weights, cardio equipment, etc). But again it will come down to your preferences, some people just prefer to work out at home over the gym...... Best of Luck....


edited to add:

I am 100% for the Gym, I prefer it because I have access to a vast variety of training equipment and classes.....

vvendy_darling

I based my response off of her saying that she'd only be able to afford a month of gym membership.

kshadows

I would say it is a personal preference to whether you want to work out at home or at a gym. What are your plans long term? If you are going to make this a lifestyle and like the gym environment then I would say do that, they would have everything you want (kettle bells, free weights, cardio equipment, etc). But again it will come down to your preferences, some people just prefer to work out at home over the gym...... Best of Luck....

My long term will not be working out in a gym. I am mainly a runner but need some serious help in the mid-section and everything points to strength training to tone that up. At this point in time, I'd only be able to pay for a month at the gym and then would have to figure something out, which is why I was wondering which would be more efficient at this point.

Thanks!

JustT1m

I say Kettlebell at least by the end of the month you would have something to show for it. If you ever needed to at least you can sell the KettleBell and get some money back out of it.

sweetpea03b

Personally... I have found that since I invested in a few tools to use at home... I get a workout in MUCH more often. No excuses because you don't have to go anywhere. There are some awesome videos on youtube to help you get started with a good kettlebell routine.

TLHarwick

I would go with the Kettlebells. I got a set at WM (3 - 5lbs, 10lbs, 15lbs) at WM for like $60.00.
I have also been enjoying the free trial of the Daily Burn - they have a whole Kettleball workout progression set. It is easy to get hurt if you use them incorrectly, so the introduction to form and progressive difficulty was nice when I first got them.

Hellbent_Heidi

What it comes down to is which one would YOU use the most? Personally, I'd pick the gym, becaue a gym membership gives you a LOT more options for workouts, but I also lack the self-discipline to workout at home the way I do when I'm around other people. It depends on your personality.

Hellbent_Heidi

deleted (duplicate post)

Hellbent_Heidi

sorry...server crashed at work and posted the same thing 3 times :ohwell:

jofjltncb6

I would say it is a personal preference to whether you want to work out at home or at a gym. What are your plans long term? If you are going to make this a lifestyle and like the gym environment then I would say do that, they would have everything you want (kettle bells, free weights, cardio equipment, etc). But again it will come down to your preferences, some people just prefer to work out at home over the gym...... Best of Luck....

My long term will not be working out in a gym. I am mainly a runner but need some serious help in the mid-section and everything points to strength training to tone that up. At this point in time, I'd only be able to pay for a month at the gym and then would have to figure something out, which is why I was wondering which would be more efficient at this point.

Thanks!

Do either...

...but more importantly, do some reading about "toning" a specific part of your body. Of course, this depends on your definition of "toning". If you mean "building muscle", then absolutely, you can do that for a specific part of your body. However, if you mean "losing fat", then no, that's going to come from your overall calorie deficit. Assuming it's the latter (as it almost always is), then your diet will be the determining factor.

And whichever one you choose, when you have more funds available, try the other. Each approach has its own pros and cons that are very individually specific, and these pros and cons can vary for each person depending on other circumstances.

ETA: And as has been said, you'll need to find something you can do consistently over a much longer period of time than one month. Progress takes time...and then you'll need consistency to maintain that progress. Fitness is not a one-time destination where you achieve your goal and are then done.

da_bears10089

I vote GYM. You could probably achieve a lot with just kettlebells, but outgrow them quickly.

DopeItUp

I would say it is a personal preference to whether you want to work out at home or at a gym. What are your plans long term? If you are going to make this a lifestyle and like the gym environment then I would say do that, they would have everything you want (kettle bells, free weights, cardio equipment, etc). But again it will come down to your preferences, some people just prefer to work out at home over the gym...... Best of Luck....

My long term will not be working out in a gym. I am mainly a runner but need some serious help in the mid-section and everything points to strength training to tone that up. At this point in time, I'd only be able to pay for a month at the gym and then would have to figure something out, which is why I was wondering which would be more efficient at this point.

Thanks!

There's really no point to going to the gym for just a month. It takes months and years to get fit. Furthermore, fitness must be maintained over the long term. Even if you do make progress you will return back to where you started once you stop exercising.

Having said that, a single kettlebell isn't going to do much either, you need different sizes for progression.

htimpaired

kettlebells. I LOVE them. cardio and strength in one. If I could cancel my gym membership without penalty fees and just do kettlebells, I would.

MB_Positif

Gym membership. Strength training isn't something you just stop doing when you get to your desired result, because that result won't last long.

MissB46

A set of kettle bells will run you about 300 - 400 dollars USD.

or you just mean one kettle bell? It would be good for a week until you need to increase weight.

I have been working with a 16kg kettlebell for over 10 months now and have not yet felt the need to go for an increase they are still very challenging and yes I only work with one (very occasionally with two)

I would go for the kettlebell even though I do use a gym but kettlebells are so versatile and there are lots of vids you can get off the internet - a good one is www.myomytv.com....it never gets boring and is always challenging, good alround full body workout...I would go for a decent bell though i.e a competition bell

MissB46

If those are your choices, chose a gym that has free kettle bell classes. It is really easy to do the kettle bell moves wrong, so it would be good to start with someone that can check your form.

This is also a very good point as it is very easy to get wrong.....

BattleTaxi

Kettlebell; there are lots of free programs to watch/follow for new routines. You can buy a kettlebell that has adjustable weight to save money, too.

spicegeek

have you ever used a kettle bell ? do you have any idea how to execute the exercises correctly ? do you have space to work out somewhere with a bell ? how do you plan of deciding which weight bell to purchase ?

I use 6 different weights of bells depending on the exercises

TeaBea

A set of kettle bells will run you about 300 - 400 dollars USD.

or you just mean one kettle bell? It would be good for a week until you need to increase weight.

This!^

You'll start with a beginner bell (don't go too light) ....even these are pricey.....maybe check Craigslist. Then you'll have to buy another, and another

socajam

A set of kettle bells will run you about 300 - 400 dollars USD.

or you just mean one kettle bell? It would be good for a week until you need to increase weight.

This!^

You'll start with a beginner bell (don't go too light) ....even these are pricey.....maybe check Craigslist. Then you'll have to buy another, and another

Not necessarily true. I started out with a 5lb bell, now I am up to 20lb, I have increased the reps. I do 90 seconds intervals kettle swings along with other types of exercises - mix and match - gives a good work out.

Sharon_C

I do kettlebells at the gym, as well as a variety of other things. I love the kettlebells but its nice to have other things to do when you get bored and want to shake things up. Are you only joining the gym for one month? If that's the case, then get the kettlebells, but if you're joining for a year or so then I vote for the gym.