Do I have to join a gym to do weights and strenth train?

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Replies

  • RonnieBigGunz
    RonnieBigGunz Posts: 52
    No. Machines are mostly worthless, anyways. The best thing you could do is buy a power rack, a bench, a bar, and some plates. I acquired these items on craigslist for about $300. Focus on heavy, compound lifts, and you will see results. The book "Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe does a great job explaining these lifts in exact detail. I strongly recommend reading it. You can film yourself to check your form.
  • NavyIT85
    NavyIT85 Posts: 26 Member
    No. Machines are mostly worthless, anyways. The best thing you could do is buy a power rack, a bench, a bar, and some plates. I acquired these items on craigslist for about $300. Focus on heavy, compound lifts, and you will see results. The book "Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe does a great job explaining these lifts in exact detail. I strongly recommend reading it. You can film yourself to check your form.

    That is an excelent suggestion... even a webcam or something to just compare yourself. You are your worste critic, and you will not be as lenient on you about your form =)
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member
    No. Machines are mostly worthless, anyways. The best thing you could do is buy a power rack, a bench, a bar, and some plates. I acquired these items on craigslist for about $300. Focus on heavy, compound lifts, and you will see results. The book "Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe does a great job explaining these lifts in exact detail. I strongly recommend reading it. You can film yourself to check your form.

    I agree with this 100% if you wish to go a weighted route instead of body weight route, a bit more costly, but also extremely effective. Plus having your own gear allows you to lift with out the drama that comes from a commercial gym.
  • NavyIT85
    NavyIT85 Posts: 26 Member
    No. Machines are mostly worthless, anyways. The best thing you could do is buy a power rack, a bench, a bar, and some plates. I acquired these items on craigslist for about $300. Focus on heavy, compound lifts, and you will see results. The book "Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe does a great job explaining these lifts in exact detail. I strongly recommend reading it. You can film yourself to check your form.

    I agree with this 100% if you wish to go a weighted route instead of body weight route, a bit more costly, but also extremely effective. Plus having your own gear allows you to lift with out the drama that comes from a commercial gym.

    I personally hate going to the gym for that reason. I always feel like my routine isn't as effective or intense, and I stare at machines trying to figure out which one I want to use (because someone inevitably is on the machine I planned to use), then i stand around like an idiot for 20 minutes until I end up on a treadmill not doing any strength training...
  • dragonflybird
    dragonflybird Posts: 232
    www.bodyrock.tv
  • NavyIT85
    NavyIT85 Posts: 26 Member
    www.bodyrock.tv

    My boss told me about this website yesterday... she lives and breathes by some of thier workouts.
  • theoneandonlybrookie
    theoneandonlybrookie Posts: 341 Member
    First, I just have to say that I AM a librarian. And something. :-)

    Anyway, I would suggest trying videos if you're learning how to lift weights. Years ago, after I had my first set of kids, I used videos to learn how to do free weights because I couldn't afford a gym membership. 2011 was spent getting my muscle mass back from baby #3, and I used P90X (which changed my body, completely.)

    I'm sure there are other great ones out there, too.
  • nellie_88
    nellie_88 Posts: 256 Member
    www.bodyrock.tv

    My boss told me about this website yesterday... she lives and breathes by some of thier workouts.

    THIS! I have been doing these daily for awhile now, they have made a really big difference!
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member

    I personally hate going to the gym for that reason. I always feel like my routine isn't as effective or intense, and I stare at machines trying to figure out which one I want to use (because someone inevitably is on the machine I planned to use), then i stand around like an idiot for 20 minutes until I end up on a treadmill not doing any strength training...

    Sounds like you need a written routine, especially one that has very little machine use. Squats, C&J, DL, Snatch, Thrusters, Bench ect. Having something written down can help you see "ok i just finished my OHP, now i have pendlay rows" no rest time in between, and most gyms have several barbells you could use.
  • conidiring
    conidiring Posts: 230 Member
    I'm working through Supreme 90 day right now. That might be something you might try. I think the DVD pack was like $19.95. It's great. Lots of body weight stuff and stuff with weights and stuff with a stability ball. And if you don't have any weights or a ball they show you modifications. This comes with a bunch of different dvds, a workout plan and nutrition info. I would recommend that. Also, there is a book called New Rules of Lifting for Women by Lou Schuler which has workouts and nutrition info. I have the book but haven't tried it yet as I'm still working through the Supreme 90. Beachbody has a Chalene Extreme that is also a dvd package. Got that for Christmas, but again haven't worked through that yet either. That also comes with a resistance band, workout plan, and nutrition info. Hope this helps.
  • 2hungariangirls
    2hungariangirls Posts: 220
    even if she were to get a personal trainer, and research forever on strength training, she would NEVER know everything about it. She isn't looking for be all end all... people here are mostly trying to get started. I came on here to help my wife, I have never tracked what I did publicly, but I must say, it is nice to see people that want to help out. If you want to just tell people to look something up, don't bother with a reply unless you are going to give a decent source of information. I see on your page that you know a lot about steroids... Doesn't seem like the kind of person I want telling me how to naturally get fit anyway.

    Actually when she said she liked working out at home and was looking to strength train with out having to go to a gym I recommended Convict Conditioning, a really great book that focuses on body weight exercises, that allows for a lot of progression. Try rereading comments before you go all bananas.


    You are obviously having a very bad day and taking it out on people on the internet....Hope it gets better for you!
  • countrygirl812
    countrygirl812 Posts: 116
    No, not at all. In fact, you don't need a gym to exercise at all. Unless you just like the machines and can not afford them at home. You can get weights at Wal-Mart, workout dvd's, and you can lift weights at home. There are tons of options out there, just do some exploring at see what would work best for you.
  • sandy_taylor13
    sandy_taylor13 Posts: 194 Member
    P90X worked great for me. You have to buy a pull up bar and free weights (or you can get some bands). But the instructor, Tony Horton does a good job explaining how to do the moves and proper form. I love it.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I am not a gym member and have no intention of ever being. I have relative large arm muscles for a girl, and that's partly genetic and partly from doing press ups. I get my leg strengthening from squats, lunges and running (I do sprints and hills).
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member

    You are obviously having a very bad day and taking it out on people on the internet....Hope it gets better for you!

    Aw thanks :flowerforyou:
  • Topsking2010
    Topsking2010 Posts: 2,245 Member
    Bump
  • eedossa
    eedossa Posts: 54 Member
    www.bodyrock.tv

    My boss told me about this website yesterday... she lives and breathes by some of thier workouts.

    I have never heard about this website, but I'll have to check it out. I do most of my weight training at home, with a set of hand weights and pull up bar, even though I belong to my local YMCA.
  • mrschappet
    mrschappet Posts: 488 Member
    I do all my weight training from the comfort of my own home :-)
  • wackyfunster
    wackyfunster Posts: 944 Member
    If you are new to weight training, I would highly recommend that you get a gym membership and/or hire a personal trainer at least for a month or two while you learn the movements. There are a lot of small things that won't really cause problems at lower weights, but as you progress to heavier weights can cause serious injury. Having proper instruction is very important when it comes to free-weights. With that said, weight training is absolutely the best way to get in shape! Congrats on making the decision to pursue weight training, and best of luck!
  • 2fit4fat
    2fit4fat Posts: 559 Member
    Bump
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,026 Member
    Roid rage.
    Is a myth.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,026 Member
    First, I just have to say that I AM a librarian. And something. :-)

    Anyway, I would suggest trying videos if you're learning how to lift weights. Years ago, after I had my first set of kids, I used videos to learn how to do free weights because I couldn't afford a gym membership. 2011 was spent getting my muscle mass back from baby #3, and I used P90X (which changed my body, completely.)

    I'm sure there are other great ones out there, too.
    Man, librarians I used to see weren't hot as you or I would have read library books more often.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • SnackPack
    SnackPack Posts: 21 Member
    Anyone just starting out can make great progress with body weight exercises. I really enjoyed this book and it got me moving.

    http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Your-Own-Gym/dp/0345528581/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1291240989&sr=8-2

    http://marklauren.com/
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