gym or no gym..that is the question

mrsdauer

just wanted to throw this question out there to everyone and see what you think. i have a good friend that works at the gym near-by (Snap Fitness), ive never been there before, but i think it would be beneficial, not only can i get membership for 30$ a month, but it includes free pool (at local hotel), tanning (7 extra $ a month) and i would have somewhere other than my living room to exercise and also be involved in classes they offer (swimming and zumba)
i currently am at 1200 cal intake, exercising atleast 20-40 mins daily (jillian michaels 30 day shred), i feel like i have toned up, but as far as weight loss..i just cant shake the weight off!
i hang in the 140-143 range and it feels sometimes like i wanna give up because no matter what im doing, im not dropping the pounds.....
ANYHOW, my question is this: do you think it would help by joining a gym to have other exercise options available? or should i keep doing what im doing and maybe throw in some elliptical workouts to my dvd exercise??? im at a stand-still!

thanks for all your support, this is the best site ever made!! and the people on here are so helpful, thats why i thought i'd ask all of you

sesteadman88

If it fits within your budget I would say go for it! Don't see how it could hurt any, just as long as you actually use your membership!

mathgirl27

I switch off days at the gym and doing 30DS. Your body gets bored doing the same thing, and throwing it a curve ball every once in awhile really helps. If you have the money, go for it!

shadow3829

I love the gym. You can check into Planet Fitness, if they have one in your area, 10.00 a month and no contract. I find that paying for the gym keeps me going!

hailzp

Definitely! When I joined they set up a program for me for fat burning, I thought I had been doing quite well with high intensity stuff until I did one of their programs. It is awesome. With a pool as well!

vscheffel

For me i found it was more help full for me to through in some walking vs. going to the gym(the whole having to drive to go work out was what didnt work for me). but if you can fit it in your budget and have the time go for it

chubiD

I'd say gym! and also, you might wanna increase your calories; after two months at 1200 cal a day, I wasn't seeing much of a progress. Following many people's advice, I increased my calories to 1340 a day and dropped 3 pounds in a week. Making changes may be beneficial

hooah_mj

The only reason I would ever rejoin a gym would be for the access to weight lifting classes...ie. BodyPump.

Personally, I get a better workout at home bec' I push myself so much harder here.

Think seriously about lifting significant weights with a trainer...more jilian/zumba probably won't do it for the last bit.

hope this helps :happy:

fionat29

Go for it! If you can afford it, I'd do it!

Athena413

I find that I really like the class setting and if you make friends it's even more incentive to actually go. It becomes a health thing and a social thing. Also, if the gym has weights available (which I assume it does) then that might be a very nice addition to your cardio that you're already doing, which would also help shed those pounds. I say if it's within your budget and you think you'll use the membership, go for it!

jennysmission

I say if you have the money go for it...I love doing the classes they will push you, more then you can push yourself!! It gives you a lot of different options so you dont get bored!

RunLiftEat

I prefer working out at home/running outside. But a gym is a great idea if you want to participate in classes. As for the lbs not dropping. That doesn't mean you aren't loosing fat. Measurements and how clothes fit are a better way to judge your progress. To many people obsessed with the number on a scale.

grassette

If it motivates you and gets you out there, go for it. And make sure you use the pool.

Give the tanning bed a wide berth though. They are no benefit, seeing they cause skin cancer.

grassette

If it motivates you and gets you out there, go for it. And make sure you use the pool.

Give the tanning bed a wide berth though. They are no benefit, seeing they cause skin cancer.

Rain_Howard

Most gyms will let you use them for free a few times before joining. If they don't then they aren't worth spending money on. Try it and see if you like it before signing anything. Many people thrive in that kind of environment and many don't. That is why I strongly suggest checking it out a few times first.

Read the fine print on the contract and make sure you know exactly what you are getting charged and what the charges are for. Gyms seem to love to bury things in the small print.

Do a cost to benefit analysis. How likely are you to get your money out of the membership? How many hours per week can you realistically spend in the gym?

Gyms can have some wonderful benefits, classes, trainers, dietitians and peer support. They can also be a harsh, judgmental and sometimes even hostile environment. This is why I strongly recommend going for a week before signing anything.

Good luck. Have fun. Be healthy.

sc1572

I love, Love, LOVE the gym! Not only can you meet great people, but there are so many options! I love the equipment in the gym, but my favorite things are actually the group exercise classes! Plus, you can go to the gym in bad weather...you can't always walk or run! I love spinning, body combat, body step, yoga, and much, much more. I say GO FOR IT!

Sp1nGoddess

I love the gym and find that I workout much harder there, plus there are so many options! I really rely on the mirror to watch my form when strength training. When I work out at home my dog thinks it's time to play or I start cleaning in between sets and get distracted... at the gym I just get in, work out and go! It's motivating being around like-minded people!

And you have a friend there already!

LisaMariaCallow

I LOVE my gym!! It doesn't have all the amenities of some of the newer gyms, but it's very close to both home and work, I'm very comfortable there (I've been a member for about 4 yrs), and most of all, I work my *kitten* off-literally!!

If it helps to motivate you (and it does for me!!) then join!! It's not gonna cost you much $$, and you'll no doubt see a difference in your body!

Good luck! :happy:

ansonrinesmith

Adding weight training will add more lean muscle and help with weight loss.

jennysmission

Most gyms will let you use them for free a few times before joining. If they don't then they aren't worth spending money on. Try it and see if you like it before signing anything. Many people thrive in that kind of environment and many don't. That is why I strongly suggest checking it out a few times first.

Read the fine print on the contract and make sure you know exactly what you are getting charged and what the charges are for. Gyms seem to love to bury things in the small print.

Do a cost to benefit analysis. How likely are you to get your money out of the membership? How many hours per week can you realistically spend in the gym?

Gyms can have some wonderful benefits, classes, trainers, dietitians and peer support. They can also be a harsh, judgmental and sometimes even hostile environment. This is why I strongly recommend going for a week before signing anything.

Good luck. Have fun. Be healthy.

probley a very very good idea!

mrsdauer

thanks to everyone for your input! i think im going to take the great advise of trying it out first... i can get a free 7day trial....i think that will tell me right off the bat how often i will make it out to exercise, what the environment is like, ect....

thanks again for your advise

strawberryromper

Doesn't hurt to try, right? I'd join again for the lifting, but the gym does not work for my life. It's $40/month here and 25 minutes away, so unless I was going after work 2-3 days a week it would be out of the way.

ccmccoy09

I agree with what the majority of people are saying: do it! The strength training will help you shed those last few stubborn pounds, and will prevent the awkward thin-flabby body some people get after weight loss. Also, it's fun.

I also think you should increase your calories a little, making sure to keep eating healthy.

deucesarewild1

WOW you guys have SUCH cheap memberships...they're $50-150/mo here...I go to the Y and the basic membership is $65

jofromnz

I highly recommend the gym! I go three times a week and I love it. I do a combination of BodyCombat (kicking/punching) and Shabam (like Zumba). I find it excelllent for motivation and it is also where I do my weekly weigh in! It ends up costing me $5 per class as I pay about $16 per week. SO worth it!!!

NPetrakis

do whatever keeps you motivated. The important thing is to keep going. Home, gym, outdoors, just go go go .

JasonWCNewcomb

Proper weight training and increased caloric intake (spread out the meals multiple times per day) will increase you BMR and help you lose fat.

140 doesn't seem heavy though unless you're quite short.

fionarama

I think the main thing is to mix up your routine. I am doing 30DS after years of working out at the gym and I'm enjoying it and my body is screaming at me, so its a good workout. But its not a permanent routine its to do for a month, then do something else. People who keep going back to the gym doing the same thing year after year see no results and get discouraged. Just like seems you are falling into that trap, 30DS is good for starters but you can't keep doing it and expect results. You would definitely benefit from a good weight training programme - but only do it for 6 weeks then get a new programme!!!!
do a zumba classs once a week, do a good swim of lapping once a week mix it all up and your body will be constantly challenged!
keep doing workout dVDs but buy a new one there are other Gillian Michaels ones that look goo d too!
Keep moving like poeple say but keep measuring results (body composition not just weighing) and if you are not getting results reevaluate what you are doing. I think its really important to focus and reevaluate continually.

dad106

I belong to a gym and I love it. I also pay about 30 bucks a month to use the facility and then 120 a month to see a personal trainer. I don't do classes or anything(I don't have any time) but they look to be good. We also have a pool and a hot tub... which I love a lot!