Do you really need the gym to achieve to your goal?

brown_eyed_girl_06

I have just posted this up on my blog and thought it would probably make a better topic, I'm sure it will stir up some friendly banter as many people will have different views! Here we go!!

Do you really need the gym to achieve to your goal?
Yes I have asked myself the question and NO I don't need the bloody gym. Why? Because it's crap that's why! It's the dullest, ugliest waste of space I have ever seen, well apart from a few ex boyfriends! ;-)

Unless you want to look like Johnny Bravo then why bother? Why would I want to pay money to do something I hate? I have enough chores at home! I don't want to stroll down to the local gym on my days off work, feeling worse than what I do when I'm going to work and pay for the privilege!

Just be active and live life! Go for a nice walk in the park or swimming with the kids! Drive over to your nearest seaside and swim in the sea. Go play sports games with your friends and go hiking with a picnic at national parks. Ride your bike to the city and have lots of sex with the person you love and just be happy!

Lets face it, I'm fat because I get cabs instead of the bus, I get the bus instead of walking and I eat takeaways more often than not because I finish late from work and I can't be arsed cooking! The reasons above are why I'm fat, it's not because I don't go to the gym, it's because I'm not active! The gym is for people who want to keep fit, not get fit! That's why they keep going back because that's what they like to do it's a hobby! Let's not kid ourselves here ladies and gentlement if I liked to go to the gym and bust my gut I wouldn't be squeezing into size 18 jeans I'd be on the cat walk next to Naomi Campbell! That's just it we all wouldn't be fat if we actually loved going to the gym because we'd be there flexing our muscles to the opposite sex instead of pretending we like it!

I had an amazing walk with my best friend today, we talked about life, love and our futures, it was great! We walked 9 miles and even more amazingly I burnt over 1000 calories! We walked to a small town outside of the city, found a local pub and had a diet coke and then walked back, it was great and I can't wait until tomorrow and we can do it all over again! I'll reach my weight loss goal enjoying my life thanks not killing my spirit in the process, ack!

That is all /takes a bow ;-)

haha!

alpepp

Mind over matter. The gym makes you face a lot of ugly truths you wouldn't realize at home, especially when you go with your buff boyfriend and you are a lump

Am I fat? Yes.
Do I look dumb doing this exercise? Yes.
Is that meathead glaring at me because he doesn't think a woman should be lifting free weights? Yes
Is that skinny you-know-what that doesn't need to be at the gym talking to my boyfriend while doing bentover rows? Yes
Do any of these things matter? NO

Once I got over the glares from the meatheads and finally realized that one day, I will be a skinny you-know-what, going to the gym was/is easy.

IMDABEAST

I have dropped 207 pounds and my wife has lost 115+... we did this without going to a "gym", but we do have equipment at the house to use. I have lost in the past by going to the gym, but it is better for me to have the means to do it at home. Good luck on your journey and stay focused.

edorice

My primary fitness is with exercise DVD's these days, but I still have a gym membership. Going back to the gym has been a wake up call for me. Seeing people walk at 2 mph on the treadmill, stand around talking for a half hour, reading a book while slowly peddling on their bike really taught me a lesson in intensity compared to the pace in the DVD's. Now when I go to the gym, I hit the floor fast and hard and I'm out of there within an hour.

I'm not trying to look like Johnny Bravo, just don't want to look average.

TheSarahHill

Mind over matter. The gym makes you face a lot of ugly truths you wouldn't realize at home, especially when you go with your buff boyfriend and you are a lump

Am I fat? Yes.
Do I look dumb doing this exercise? Yes.
Is that meathead glaring at me because he doesn't think a woman should be lifting free weights? Yes
Is that skinny you-know-what that doesn't need to be at the gym talking to my boyfriend while doing bentover rows? Yes
Do any of these things matter? NO

Once I got over the glares from the meatheads and finally realized that one day, I will be a skinny you-know-what, going to the gym was/is easy.

Haha brilliant!!!!

Jessicapages

The Gym is for some people and not for others! my Husband swears by the Gym,and I can't stand it.I have a baby and teenagers and am a stay at home mom,so I would not have the time to go to the Gym!I do Turbo Fire when the baby is sleeping and I have lost weight and am on my way to my goal!!

fab50G

To each her own. I like the gym, but I also like being active in other ways.

chevy88grl

I have just posted this up on my blog and thought it would probably make a better topic, I'm sure it will stir up some friendly banter as many people will have different views! Here we go!!

Do you really need the gym to achieve to your goal?
Yes I have asked myself the question and NO I don't need the bloody gym. Why? Because it's crap that's why! It's the dullest, ugliest waste of space I have ever seen, well apart from a few ex boyfriends! ;-)

Unless you want to look like Johnny Bravo then why bother? Why would I want to pay money to do something I hate? I have enough chores at home! I don't want to stroll down to the local gym on my days off work, feeling worse than what I do when I'm going to work and pay for the privilege!

Just be active and live life! Go for a nice walk in the park or swimming with the kids! Drive over to your nearest seaside and swim in the sea. Go play sports games with your friends and go hiking with a picnic at national parks. Ride your bike to the city and have lots of sex with the person you love and just be happy!

Lets face it, I'm fat because I get cabs instead of the bus, I get the bus instead of walking and I eat takeaways more often than not because I finish late from work and I can't be arsed cooking! The reasons above are why I'm fat, it's not because I don't go to the gym, it's because I'm not active! The gym is for people who want to keep fit, not get fit! That's why they keep going back because that's what they like to do it's a hobby! Let's not kid ourselves here ladies and gentlement if I liked to go to the gym and bust my gut I wouldn't be squeezing into size 18 jeans I'd be on the cat walk next to Naomi Campbell! That's just it we all wouldn't be fat if we actually loved going to the gym because we'd be there flexing our muscles to the opposite sex instead of pretending we like it!

I had an amazing walk with my best friend today, we talked about life, love and our futures, it was great! We walked 9 miles and even more amazingly I burnt over 1000 calories! We walked to a small town outside of the city, found a local pub and had a diet coke and then walked back, it was great and I can't wait until tomorrow and we can do it all over again! I'll reach my weight loss goal enjoying my life thanks not killing my spirit in the process, ack!

That is all /takes a bow ;-)

Hm. I don't go to the gym to flex my muscles or to impress the other sex. I go because *I* enjoy the way I feel when I bust my butt working out.

Please, don't generalize why people go to a gym. It would be like me picking at people who choose to workout at home. Not necessary. Do what works for you - but don't criticize those of us who use a gym (perhaps you're being critical because you'd like to try a gym out and are too nervous?).

Sorry love that was just a joke about fit people, good on them for being fit too! If I was fit I'd be flexing my muscles! My first line says friendly banter I am just exercising my point about the gym.

Also apart from me finding it like a chore and work yes I am under confident in the gym and I'm always concious about my fat *kitten* jiggling everywhere!

Why on Earth do people make fun of fit people if they are ON THIS WEBSITE? Aren't you on this site to lose weight and be fit?

Why would you make a joke about someone who is fit then? Seems a bit hypocritical to make a joke about the exact thing you are trying to achieve, no?

Right I have given you an explaination, I am not making fun of fit people in a bad way, of course I want to be fit! I am sorry if I have offended you that was not my intention but if I can't say anything else to you for you to feel any different towards me then I suggest you don't comment on my topic and read one that doesn't offend you!

I'm not offended at all. I'm simply telling you that I think you have tunnel vision when it comes to the people who go to gyms and who use gyms as a way to workout, lose weight, be fit, etc. Considering you haven't been to a gym - you're making judgements on the people who use them based on a cartoon character. Or whatever. Do what works for you, but I don't find it necessary to be critical of the choices other people make.

I am not being critical I have expressed my view of why I don't like the gym. I have been to a gym, I have had memberships, I didn't stick to it because I didn't have the will power and I hated it, it bored me. I am not commenting being a hypocrit, I have done all the things that I talk about on here. I'm still fat because I didn't stick with it! This is my whole point!

And it's perfectly okay to not like going to a gym. What irritates me is when people generalize people who DO enjoy going to a gym. THAT is my point. I enjoy it. It's helped me lose 60lbs and go from over 200lbs to 143lbs. It's perfectly fine to say "I don't go to the gym because I don't enjoy it" but don't be critical of those who DO go and who DO find success from it. I don't find success from simply working out at home, but never would I tell someone they're lazy or don't work as hard as I do because THEY don't go to a gym.

I went to a lot of gyms before I settled on the one I attend. I wanted somewhere that I could be comfortable and actually concentrate on working out. My gym has young, old, skinny, fat, tall, short people in it. All walks of life go there and I like that. It has 24 hour access so I can go when it is convenient for ME.

Like I said, you don't have to like going to the gym - but, starting a thread where you are criticizing those who DO use it isn't productive to anyone.

awelch79

While I agree the gym is not a necessity for everyone...it is for me...and more than just the gym: group classes...
I stick with it more because I take classes with many of the same people everyday and we motivate each other. Everyone does it there own way, and (unfortunately bc I could find much more to do with the $$), mine is the gym!

chrisdavey

My gym is at home. Win/win :happy:

I do agree with just getting out and moving in general though. The technical term is NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenisis). Basically, more you move, the more you burn. Doing little things here and there as you say like walking the stairs instead of the elevator, walks at lunch time etc. all add up to your total daily energy expenditure. Means you don't have to starve yourself to lose weight which I'm sure most people would be happy with!

Re actual exercise though: Find what you love and do it. Then it doesn't seem like a chore at all.

Oh and there is more to being fit than being skinny.

BabyDuchess

Is it wrong that I DO want to look like Johnny Bravo? :laugh: :laugh:

End6ame

Depends on your goals. If you are just looking for a calorie burn, then no you don't need the gym. But if you want to improve your fitness and performance, then yes you need a gym or a decent home gym. 

There is a lot of focus on the forums around just losing weight or being skinny, while some people are actually training themselves to perform better at a given task. If you look at any athlete, they don't just practice their sport; they step outside of their sport and in to a gym to work on increasing their abilities whether they be speed, strength, power, endurance, etc... And if you look at an athlete vs a person that is just skinny, chances are the athlete will look better too... Which would you rather be?

Mucky_Duck

I love going to group fitness classes held at the gym and find them good at keeping me from getting in rut of the same routine. But I think a big factor of my enjoyment is the social aspect and support. I don't think the gym is always needed but I would say having a workout buddy or group does give a huge boost to keeping one on track.

Alidecker

I actually did get fit and lose my weight at the gym. I would love to get my friends to be more active on a regular basis, but my best friend is lazy, and she wouldn't mind me saying that. She says it all the time and wishes she had any desire to be active. Although she is skinny, which can piss you off My fit and active friends are the people I have met at the gym by going to the gym 5 days a week. I wish I would have ever been motivated to lose weight without the gym, but I get home and the couch is so comfy

MzMiller1215

Your ideas are great IF I had friends to workout with. The truth of the matter is, if I don't get my *kitten* out of the house, I wouldn't exercise that much. Being at the gym motivates me even more because I see alot of very fit people killin' it at the gym, which makes me want to work harder to achieve my goal. I also like that my gym offers great classes such as Zumba, Power Class, Spinning and Yoga. If I didn't have a membership, I'd have to pay separately for all of those classes and that could get very costly. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinon and this is my opinion.

Pebble321

As always, the answer is - yes for some people, no for others!
I've been a member of gyms before and have found that I really enjoy it and it can be a great way to lose weight and keep me motivated to get to my goal.
At the moment I don't have a convenient gym so I walk, ride my bike, do sit ups at home and go running. They all fit into my lifestyle and have helped me lose weight and tone up.
So, it certainly not necessary but for some people it helps.
I do think you make a good point though about being more active in our daily lives. I almost always lose weight when I go on holidays (with the exception of 10 days in Bali which involved more breakfast buffet and Bintang beer than was good for me!) because I'm more active than in my regular life where my job it quite sedentary.

TheSarahHill

Depends on your goals. If you are just looking for a calorie burn, then no you don't need the gym. But if you want to improve your fitness and performance, then yes you need a gym or a decent home gym. 

There is a lot of focus on the forums around just losing weight or being skinny, while some people are actually training themselves to perform better at a given task. If you look at any athlete, they don't just practice their sport; they step outside of their sport and in to a gym to work on increasing their abilities whether they be speed, strength, power, endurance, etc... And if you look at an athlete vs a person that is just skinny, chances are the athlete will look better too... Which would you rather be?

Hehe like that point of view! I would just like to be slim, wear jeans without a muffin top, not bothered about being skinny or fit to be honest. I just want to be active and of average size :-)

TheSarahHill

Is it wrong that I DO want to look like Johnny Bravo? :laugh: :laugh:

Hehe brilliant! ;-) x

abdehor

I need the gym as well, I go to Yoga and Pilates classes and swim. I know I would never excercise other than walk my dog if I didnt have to make the effort to go out of house.

beccyleigh

the op assumes alot.

1) that people have the time to go hiking walking with friend etc
2) that people don't do this already & also go to the gym
3) that they live in an area with the environment available to walk alone or go hiking, climbing
4) that everyone is able to & has friends available to drop everything & go walk for hours on end.
5) that everyone is free of responsibility to be able to spend hours walking/chatting with friends whilst out exercising in nature rather than "showing off" at the gym

I personally use the gym becuase I don't feel I push myself enough doing dvds at home & sadly, unlike the lucky op, don't have numerous hours to get such great exercise in nature.

I use the gym as I can go once I'm in from work, put my son to bed & dealt with the things that need doing for next day before heading off the the gym at 8.30pm. At the weekend I take my son to a kids active classes at my gym to give me an hour after cleaning & laundry & before food shopping & various other activities/jobs/chores that need doing to compliment my calorie controlled diet. And yes, there is results from using the gym, as there would be with any form of exercise, mine if mostly about toning & cardio. Other people like to build muscle.

Exercise, as it should be, is entirely up to the individual why & how they do it. And not the place of others to be snide about it.

mamax5

For me I need to go to the gym...I really don't understand the concept of "gym flirting" I have never seen it. I go there to work out like everyone else I see there. Everyone is busy getting a good burn! I do better in a gym, I push harder because I pay for the membership and I go 5-6 days a week! I also spend about 1hr 45 mins there. I could easily spend 2-3 hours there but I don't have the time.

hughtwalker

I need the gym because it has better equipment than I can afford.
It has a swimming pool that I can't afford
It has people

It has stuff that I don't have at home - but most of all - it is away from the nextdoor neighbour who spends every weekend knocking something down or building something on (that inevitably involves a lot of "knocking something down" first)

I thought about cancelling the subscription and using the money to buy a "home gym" from Argos - but it's cold in the garage in the Winter.

I need the gym because when I get my butt in gear to get there it would look pretty stooopid if I didn't do anything when I got there but if I had inferior stuff at home, I'd find an excuse not to use it "this evening/afternoon/morning/whatever"

I need the gym BECAUSE I DON'T TRUST ME!

Litlbeast

I think that for most of the way to my ideal shape/level of fitness and weight, I don't need the gym. But while I'm getting in shape for myself and my longevity mostly, I'm also doing it because I'm trying to launch a career in music. So when I get to the weight I want, if I still think I could look better in pics and videos, rippage-wise, I'll probably give the gym a try.

But I agree, nothing (for me) beats getting outdoors in the fresh air! It's the best.

CannibalisticVegetarian

In my case, I DO need a gym! The gym is where I go to get away from the bothersome people in my life. When I'm there, I am always inspired by the many people around me who are also busting their arses to reach their goals, whatever they may be. I've attempted working out at home and all I can say is, 'Fahgettaboudit'.

I'll probably go even further and say that without the gym, I would have probably given up on my weight loss months ago and just fallen back into my emotional/bored eating patterns. The gym is my appetite suppressant also. At home there's full access to the fridge and all of the naughty little dishes/sweets the others in the home buy. When I get to the gym, there's only a machine with Powerade, water, and Monster. No eateries there! *Fistpump*

SideSteel

That depends on what your goals are and what equipment you have access to in order to accomplish your goals.

For many people, their body composition goals make resistance training a necessity.

The body you can achieve by walking and hiking =/= the body you can achieve with a quality resistance program.

Determinednoob

That depends on what your goals are and what equipment you have access to in order to accomplish your goals.

For many people, their body composition goals make resistance training a necessity.

The body you can achieve by walking and hiking =/= the body you can achieve with a quality resistance program.

And to add to this, the OP is full of falsehood and fail.

DenyseMarieL

Wow! Great post, and very well said! I completely agree, exercise and healthy living should not be a chore. It's our life, live it well!

SummerBaby93

I agree that the gym isn't a necessity. Anybody can achieve any weight loss goals just with simple research into the whole thing. Running and walking is free. Core training, and even some forms of strength are too, and can done outside as well as in some free classes if you look around. And there's DVDs and fitness equipment for cheap in places. And you're more likely to get involved with your friends if they don't fancy joining the gym, so it'd be more fun.

I guess it depends on what your goals are. Not everybody does go to look like "Johnny Bravo" and not everyone that achieves their goals inevitably ends up that way, it just depends on your personal take I guess. Though in my case I do need it because I just don't have the same motivation at home than I do when I'm working out there. Good for you for finding what works for you though!

jetscreaminagain

Wow. I really hate your post. Strongly. Though I agree with the premise that a lack of a gym membership doesn't prevent people meeting their goals. Half of what I do is body weight and it is challenging. But the other half is heavy lifting. I need a gym for what I LOVE doing because I cant afford the equipment and amount of weights.

But your wrong if you think randomly going to the park or taking an occasional walk or swimming leisurely in any way replaces what people do when they bring it ag the gym. (Or in formal exercise not ag the gym).

If your goal is simply lost pounds and you'll make your deficit through diet, no you don't need the gym. If you have exercise you like and will do that doesn't require the gym you don't need a gym. But wherever you do it, you get out of it what you put into it so go hard.

Nefetete

Well actually I do need the gym and I am no Naomi and try to squeeze into my size 10 pants.  I find that it's more motivational personally to be in an environment  filled with ppl working out. It's just the energy there that I do not get at home or even at the gym at my cando. Not to mention all of the equipment readily available.  It's a personal choice,  if you find the gym is not for you that's ur choice, however neither choice is right or wrong.