gym or at home?

fasttrack27

I for one cannot justify paying for something when I can get for free. The way I see it, for the price of a membership, gas for the car ($1.18/liter), that's a lot of money. For what? So I can spend most of my time on an elliptical? So basically, that eats up about 2-3 hours of my day.

For me it's Gym all the way. A good fully equipped gym with all the equipment, pool, classes, etc lets you work out WAY more than most people would with a couple home machines. Personally, I find the classes push me way harder than I would ever push myself. I stepped up to a whole new level of fitness this yr (since joining gym) I never thought I'd achieve. I'm guessing the person quoted above has not fully experienced these same benefits - maybe I'm just blessesd with a great gym 7 min away. I'm not sure how one would get all the machines/equipment/pool/sauna/towels/unlimited classes/trainer for free but more power to the person who can I guess. I only spend 15-20 min for driving/parking. There are more overweight people than skinny people at my gym so no self conciousness needed. Have made a number of new friends there which helps motivate me to go and stay accountable. Many good points have been made - you may not have a good gym convenient to you, young children at home all day, etc. All things to weigh for your personally. Sure it costs $$, but what doesnt in life - you make it work if u want to. If money is tight then skip 1 dinner at a restaraunt per month, get rid of cable tv, etc - I say its all about priorities. Sorry I rambled - Good luck!

Sporty98

I've never belonged to a gym......I love to work-out outside when the weather permits (and then downhill ski when the weather is blustery). I also do an exercise DVD of some sort every morning. Whether it's yoga, circuit training, aerobics, or weight training, I enjoy working out alone at home or outdoors.

Yarnpiggie

I would much rather hang out on my couch than do most of the exercise I can do at home. That being said, I lost over 60 pounds mostly at home. We have tunnels underneath our building at work that I have spent a lot of time walking in, as well as a bike at home and really good walking trails in my neighborhood. However, I have gotten bored with most of those things, except for walking outside. (Hello December in Nebraska... brrr...lol)

Plus I hit a giant plateau that I haven't been able to get off, so I joined the gym. I hadn't done anything strength related and I knew I was going to start eating muscle soon if I didn't do anything about it. I was really hesitant about joining the gym. The picture in my head was of all these meatheads working out and thinking "'bout time the fattie got in here!" One of my friends, who is in excellent shape, told me one day that she doesn't care what anybody thinks or what she looks like when she is working out. She isn't there to impress them. That is when it hit me...i have NEVER been one to care what other people think, why would I start now? Joined the gym, got a trainer, and love it.

now... I DID join a gym that is on my way home from work. If I have to drive off the path, it will never happen. This one would have to be actually in the street for it to be more on my path. No excuses. :-)

Does it kick my butt? you betcha. Am I self conscious of doing some of the exercises he gives me? Yup. There is one of those "grunters" there quite often while I am and i grumble to myself every time i see him. And then he smiles and is uber encouraging and i feel bad. The point of that is that most of the people who are there are great cheerleaders. At least at my gym.

My trainer, who i didn't think a lot of at first, is wonderful. He gives me some awesome exercises that I can also, easily, do at home. I can't duplicate the machine stuff, but We don't do a lot on the machines. A lot of what I do can be modified pretty easily to do at home though. I love that.

So this is a long way to get to saying... I do both and like both.

binary_jester

Gym. No way I could lift like I do at home.

htimpaired

I have done and been successful with both.

I started off with a gym membership when I was in college. That carried over to a gym membership after I graduated, but I gave it up when I was in my internships in graduate school because of time. I got alot of workout DVDs and dumbells, yoga mat, resistance bands etc.

I went two years without exercising at all because of other issues, and got back into it this year. I started off with the Wii fitness games. I found the way the Wii games help motivate you by giving you little incentives, unlocking new songs, competing, etc helped me stay commited to working out again. What I found however was as I lost weight and got more fit again, the Wii games were no longer challenging to me.

so then I returned to workout DVDs. Did ok but I found myself really wishing I could walk on a treadmill or go to a class. So I rejoined the gym two months ago and I love it! I realize I work out harder in the class setting because I don't want to look like the sluggish one in class! I'm competitive so it works for me and I usually look forwards to working out! Of course, I still have my home gym, so if I am not feeling like it, or the weather sucks, I work out at home still. It's nice to have the flexibility.

pmjsmom

I work out at home. I find it interesting how some say that if they were to work out at home they would be lazy or keep finding something else to do. I feel, however, that I have no excuse to not work out! I don't need to put on gym clothes nor do I have to drive anywhere. I have resistant bands and hands weights so I get my strength training in, too. I use LOTS of workouts that I have found online and also own a bunch of DVDs.

shreddingit

I do it at home I have equipment and my dvd's here and im my own motivation, at the gym it would be hard to be myself!..my husbands goes to the gym because he weightlifts..:)

Yarnpiggie

I work out at home. I find it interesting how some say that if they were to work out at home they would be lazy or keep finding something else to do. I feel, however, that I have no excuse to not work out! I don't need to put on gym clothes nor do I have to drive anywhere. I have resistant bands and hands weights so I get my strength training in, too. I use LOTS of workouts that I have found online and also own a bunch of DVDs.

lol that's funny because I was thinking it was interesting that people were saying how they would have to get ready and drive to the gym etc if they worked out at the gym. We all have our own stuff that makes what we do work for us huh?

pmjsmom

I work out at home. I find it interesting how some say that if they were to work out at home they would be lazy or keep finding something else to do. I feel, however, that I have no excuse to not work out! I don't need to put on gym clothes nor do I have to drive anywhere. I have resistant bands and hands weights so I get my strength training in, too. I use LOTS of workouts that I have found online and also own a bunch of DVDs.

lol that's funny because I was thinking it was interesting that people were saying how they would have to get ready and drive to the gym etc if they worked out at the gym. We all have our own stuff that makes what we do work for us huh?

:drinker:

california_peach

I work out primarily by running or walking near my home. This works best for me as I can do it almost any time, of course I live in California and the weather allows for this. For those days when I cannot get outside I do a circuit training video available for free from my cable provider. This is just what I prefer and it works for me. I used to belong to a gym and I cancelled my membership because of the cost.

Valqis

I have been a member of my local Wellness Center for the last 2 years, and have been serious about weight loss for the last year, going normally 3-5 times a week. I have lost 25 pounds officially, but got down 40 before slacking and putting 15 back on. I am the type where if I have to stay home and work out, it doesn't get done. But if I get up and go to a gym, I know I am going to get my workout in. Doesn't matter if I am going from sun up to dark (which happens 2x a week when I take karate for 2 hours at the gym too), but I get my money's worth from the gym.

Memah

I started out at a gym in conjunction with a fitness and nutrition class I was taking. When that class ended in mid-November I took out a gym membership a little closer to home, but am ashamed to say I have used it only once. However, as I posted this morning, I have the urge to go there today, so probably will. I had been exercising at home with my recumbent bike, resistance bands, medicine ball, and five-pound weights. I was quite disciplined in this, but have also discovered that it's easy to ignore exercise when at home. If I have to make the effort to drive someplace, then it seems worth it to me, and I know the benefits are great. I can get a better and more varied workout at the gym.

I have lost 31.5 pounds since September 7.