How far do you travel to the gym?

wendyg311

I reeeeally want to join a gym in another town which is about 20 - 25 mins. away from my home. I not sure I can make the commitment to travel that far. There is a gym 5 mins from home, but it doesn't offer what I want.

I was wondering how far do you travel? Does your travel time discourage you?

JoRocka

Depends- I am willing to travel about 10-15 miles- which is upwards of 30 min in NJ- but I try really hard to make it on the way to somewhere. I'm pretty consistent with my workouts and and do not mind going a little out of my way- but one of my gyms was on a fairly busy stretch of road and I would often find myself going home first before heading out at like 8 PM just to avoid traffic and the busy gym- I knew I was willing to do that- some people aren't or won't.

If it is not convenient and really it is not a priority for you- most people will find themselves just not going. If it's on the way to and from another event- or work- or a friend- or somewhere you visit regularly- then go for it.

Or if you know you are the kind of person who will definitely go- and you are 150% committed to going regularly- then it's fine.

999tigger

Dealing with this issue at the moment. I use the 35-40min walk as part of my exercise, which is ok in summer, but it has drawbacks so when its raining , very cold or dark then it is a disincentive. Probably moving to one ten minutes away which is nowhere near as nice, but iI know I will manage to get in on a regular basis plus it has 24/7 opening hours. Gym is no good if you never go alhough id like to think having the right equipment and importantly right atmosphere is there as well.

My suggestion is try it for 1 month and see how many times you make it there.

arditarose

I live in the city, my gym is 5 blocks away. I tried one 10 blocks away but thought it was annoying.

When I lived in the country I traveled 20 minutes to the gym...Not sure how long that lasted though.

desjham

I got really lucky and my gym is only about 10 minutes away. I usually go at 5:30 in the morning, but there is never traffic on the way there anyways. My gym is on the expensive side, but had everything I wanted so I felt it was worth it. There were some gyms that were half the price, but I just didn't see what I wanted even though they were closer.

gp0566

Did the gym thing for years. now I travel no where. I use beachbody workouts. Did all 3 phases of focus T25. Lost 20lbs in 15 weeks.Now moved onto P90X3. Puts on the muscle quick. I run 5 miles a day a couple of times a week as well. These workout got me in the best shape of my life. Thats your best bet. No travel, no monthly payments, no waiting for equipment and the most incredible workouts you will ever do period. My diet is super clean (2100 calories day) and i eat my body weight in protein. 155 grams through food and supplements. Hope this helps. Sorry no before and after pics. Not my thing. Just wanted to get healthy and strong. only use this site for calories and macros. Much easier than keeping a log.
Gregg

redfisher1974

One flight of stairs to my basement....If you have room you can find some decent deals from people who bought equipment and never used it. I could use a few more things but its coming along good.

Jelaan

We have a 15-20 min drive to the gym in the summer, 20-30 in the winter. We can take back road so the traffic isn't bad. We also go as a family so there is lots if incentive. Our gym is kind of expensive too, but it offers lots to do for all of us. While we are working out (me, hubby, twin 20 yrs old boys), our 16 yr old daughter goes rock climbing on the multiple climbing walls, then uses the elliptical machines/bikes/treadmills, then we go swimming, or in the hot tubs. If I was going 20 mins alone to a gym that didn't offer what ours has, I would still go as I love working out, but it would be an effort to get my hubby and boys there, my daughter would not go at all. What they offer makes the drive worth it for them.

missdibs1

Up the stairs

Katleskin

My gym is a 30 minute brisk walk away. I don't have the option of driving because I choose not to own a car. I see the walk there (with my 8lb swim/gym kit on my back) as part of my workout.

Shawshankcan

35-40 minute drive. Some of my training partners take the bus for an hour.

ukaryote

wendyg311, why not try it for one month? I bet the gym management would go for that on the chance of getting a new permanent member.

southernbuttercup

I workout at home in my bedroom. On my last week of my first round of Insanity. Before that I was doing a mix of other dvd workouts. Gyms, even when they are close, have never worked for me. In the mornings, I found I have to take all my things with me to get ready for work after my workout or in the evening after work its crowded and machines are scarce. I find working out at home more convenient to work around my schedule.

vincelaccro

15 minutes walking from home 5 minutes walking from work

I took the closest gym possible and also a 24 hour open gym

tomcornhole

One flight of stairs to my basement....If you have room you can find some decent deals from people who bought equipment and never used it. I could use a few more things but its coming along good.

^^^This. Best investment I made was a quality treadmill and a power rack. Use them every day.

BigLifter10

I count myself fortunate on this one because I finally live close to a gym that I love to go to. It is less than 5 min. drive, and I can bike it in under 20 minutes. I know there used to be research saying that people tend to not go if they have to drive more than 3-5 miles, but I see many at the gym who come before or after work and drive out of the way to get there (for appx 15 min depending on traffic). Personally, If I have to drive a long way or through a lot of traffic/traffic lights then I opt for home workouts. If I ever move, I will make the investment in a power rack and good set of dumbbells/bars. Right now though, it doesn't make sense to do that.

Alluminati

I walk 3 city blocks there and back. It's awesome.

erialcelyob

I thought I was unlucky having mine a 20 minutes walk away!

jfmorrison

I just walk downstairs. It's great!

970Mikaela1

Ten minute walk or couple minutes drive. my daughter rock climbs or swims while I lift.

redfisher1974

One flight of stairs to my basement....If you have room you can find some decent deals from people who bought equipment and never used it. I could use a few more things but its coming along good.

^^^This. Best investment I made was a quality treadmill and a power rack. Use them every day.

It is a great investment for sure.

zilannoj

I walk across the street to the gym.

pamcris

30 minute drive. I could go to a gym near by my house, but the one I currently go to has child care 7 days a week included in the regular monthly price. At the very beginning the drive bothered me, now, 10 months later, I use that time to decompress from the day and the workout. I also try to fit errands around that time so I can get everything done at once.

Aint_Misbehavin

I walk 30 feet from my back door to the shop where I've got my gym. I bought most of it used through craigslist or friends that no longer (if they ever) used it. The treadmill was bought at one of those used sports equipment places. I have gone to gyms in the past. The one I used religiously was directly across the street from where I lived. For me, the further away it is, the less apt I am to use it.

Chelz2013

I joined a chain gym with multiple locations. Now that I have a favorite Zumba instructor, I follow her to 2 different locations, 3x per week. Other days, I go to the location closest to me, which is less than 2 miles away. I don't mind the 20 minute drive there and back because I enjoy my work out, I put in the extra effort, I make the commitment, and I go. If the weather is really bad this Winter, which its predicted to be, I may have to stick closer to home, since I don't have a lot of experience driving in the snow.

I have an exercise bike at home and Zumba DVD's, but I only seem to meet my goals when I get my butt to the gym. That's just me. Good luck! Do what works best for you and what will keep you on goal.

wendyg311

Thank you all !!!! Great suggestions.

Good news. I actually went to the gym this morning and they gave me a 1 week trial membership! I plan to go on my break from work. (I'm a bus driver so I have a 3hr break )
So I'll see how it goes. It's actually closer to my work than it is from home too.

ironsun

My gym is 2 miles away. I probably wouldn't go if it was further than that. I get an hour to workout and don't want to spend half of it traveling.

AquaticQuests

10 min drive at 5 am. 45 min + at other times of day!

EMTFreakGirl

When the hospital opened a clinic in my little town they brought a gym with them. The 24 hour gym that was here went out of business and donated EVERYTHING to my ambulance squad. I spend more time at the hall than I do at home, and even then, I live right across the street from the ambulance hall...so I walk either upstairs (if at the hall) or 50 yards and up the stairs (if I am home,) Makes it near impossible to excuse skipping a workout.

Zoe_lifts

Mine is 13 km away, wich is about a 15-20 minute drive. But i have a lot of time in the morning, so if you're busy or if you work a lot or other things, i can imagine that it's not that easy to commit driving that fat or long.

danielleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I walk 25 minutes to get to my gym. There are closer ones but they are not as good. I pay more for my gym but I am motivated to go so it is worth it.