Curious about people who don't take classes

HMKan

Honestly, I had been in a Zumba class (which is actually really great) but I'd make excuses not to go (i.e. not wanting to travel to it, not wanting to go out in the cold, not wanting to have to put on "cute" workout clothes, etc.). Whereas, I have a treadmill and an elliptical in my house so I can just go downstairs and get a quick 30 minute workout done in the time it'd take me to drive to and from a class. Plus, I don't belong to a gym, so it's cheaper for me to use the equipment I've already invested in rather than go to a gym (which I would make the same excuses as above for).

djmom1984

I took four months of classes, sweating my butt off in every one, and lost nothing. No inches, no weight - AND I felt like a worn out dishrag after every one.

I use my machines because they tell me how many calories I've burned - that's what keeps me moving and motivated.

bizco

Personally I won't spend the money to join a gym or take a class so I workout all on my own. I get workout DVDs at the library and I find them fun and motivating. There are so many different workouts (cardio, strength training, pilates) that I never get bored and the instructors are usually very good. I also use the treadmill when watching my favorite TV programs so the time flies.

cclala

I burn more calories if I take classes, in general. For ex., spin classes push me MUCH harder than I would ever do by myself on a bike. Same with weight/power classes. If it were up to me, I'd lift a few, and be like, "ok, enough reps of that". The instructors at my gym HAVE to change their routines and music often, so it always keeps the classes fresh and challenging. I do lots of different kinds of classes, so that I don't plateau on one type of exercise. Once it gets warmer, I'll add swimming - that's the only thing that I do well on my own without being pushed. I can walk for long distances on my own, but I hate doing that on a treadmill, now it's too cold to go outside, and it just eats up too much time, so I'd rather take a spin class and burn off more calories in less time.

Ditto on all fronts, esp walking outside. PS- spin is badass, I admire you!

cclala

I took four months of classes, sweating my butt off in every one, and lost nothing. No inches, no weight - AND I felt like a worn out dishrag after every one.

I use my machines because they tell me how many calories I've burned - that's what keeps me moving and motivated.

Wow, that's crazy! Sorry to hear you saw no results after all that hard work.

NotAllWhoWanderAreLost

I take a weekly yoga class and absolutely love it and my instructor. I've done yoga at home, but i never do it at the intensity or duration that i do it in class --- not by a long shot! But thats the only "class" i take.... I've tried others, but my schedule requires flexibility and that doesnt really work well w classes

I'm a new runner and to stay motivated, I register for about 1 running event a month so i am constantly "in training" for my next event and time/distance goals. When i run at home with my treadmill i usually put some music on but am looking for some alternate ideas. Silence is good when i run outdoors Or better yet, chatting it up with my running buddy

I also REALLY enjoy hiking but dont get to go very often. Its an extreme workout and the rewards are absolutely amazing. On the way up, its getting to the summit. On the way down, its just getting back to the car! LOL!! No need for music or gadgets to keep you occupied. Just experiencing the trail and the crazy back and forth banter with hiking buddies is the best

iplayoutside19

bump for later response.

NikkiDerrig386

i'm in the same boat with Gogo. I would love to take classes, but most gyms seem to have very few after 5 and I work 9-5. I don't know how anyone takes the classes offered, but that's just me.

Personally, I HATE the machines. I'll do it if I have to and it always seems like a good burn, but I get bored to. I tend to do 20 minutes on a bike and 20 on elliptical. Good for the muscles and for my boredom. I watch TV or listen to music.

I play racquetball though. Its fun and interesting and a good calorie burn if you're playing hard. And I want to WIN!

I also swim occasionally. I like it and its good for my joints but after about 15 laps I start going "what time is it? Am I done yet?"

Maybe switch gyms. My gym has classes in the AM until 10. Then they start in the evenings at 530 until 8. I go to Xsport.

NikkiDerrig386

I dont take classes simply because I'm cheap and I think I can exercise for free outdoors so why pay for exercise classes. Ive taken up urban hiking and I LOVE it! I cant sing the praises of it enough. What I love most is the freedom. I can do it anywhere in the city. I can change route at the drop of a hat, and either do scenic parks or city streets.

A lot of gyms offer free classes now so it comes with the membership.

mlb929

I'm gymphobic. I don't want the noise, I don't want to work out with other people. My exercise is my stress relief time. I don't want to run into people to chat with me, I live in a small town. My kids work out with me sometimes and my oldest runs with me, even then, I tell them it's not chat time, I'm working way to hard to want to talk.

I also have a germ thing and the idea of going to a gym is a little overwhelming to me, I avoid Walmart too

I'm much more at peace just working out alone. I don't want an instructor to interact with, Tony Horton's corny jokes on P90X are great for me

ivyjbres

I have asthma, and for some reason, in a class, when I'm concentrating on keeping up/ not screwing up, I my asthma's way worse, and I can't breath at all. On the treadmill or elliptical, I can just relax and run, yeah I'm breathing hard, but I can breath.

outersoul

I like going at my own pace, usually it's a pretty good pace. I don't want to wait around for others in the class. I also don't like the croweded feeling that classes probably have. I like to work out in my solitude. I have my headphones on and my hat pulled low. Classes aren't for me.

djmom1984

For mixing it up on the treadmill, I watch music videos on tv. Some make me run faster, others slow me down. If I can sing along, I increase the incline. They all last about 3 1/2 minutes, so it's a good way to get interval changes.

backinthenines

I love certain classes and dislike others...

I love RPM / Spin and work harder in a class then I would on my trainer at home in winter. However I also can't wait for spring and be out on my road bike.

I love Body Pump and find time flies in that class and it's a good all rounder for general conditioning. But then I also do free weights on my own.

I prefer to run on my own. I don't like running with company. The chatter irritates me. All I want to hear is my breathing and my footfall.

I hate all variations of aerobics and dance. I have tried Body Attack, Body Jam, Zumba... and hate them all.

I quite like Body Combat. It's great when you're in a bad mood.