Gym Membership or Weights at Home?

Aperture_Science

Gym for you!

You don't have the spec for the safety equipment that you would need to progress with squats (minimum a squat rack but ideally a power cage).

If you did have the space I can tell you from experience that an Olympic bar and power rack is equivalent to the approx cost of 1 years gym membership.

There are people advising that you get dumbells and use those but to be honest for squats and dead lifts these are a poor second best. Bar and rack is the way to go and for you that means gym.

Best wishes.

jennifer52484

I use my gym membership daily.. and I have some weights and a treadmill at home. Works perfectly. cause I can't use the excuse, the "I don't want to leave the house" excuse anymore..

robinogue

I needed to cut expenses so I quit the gym. It was going to be for a short time but nearly two years later I've done better without it. I got some hand weights, jump rope, and all sorts of things and I do most of my workouts at home. On a nice sunny day I'll go to the park to hike or run but haven't stepped foot in a gym and not regretting it either.

tomomatic

Gym memberships in my area vary from $10 a month to $120 per month.

- Check the community center and see what their facilities look like. They usually charge by household so it shouldn't be too bad. The nearest one to me is really nice.

- Check the hotel gyms to see if they will let you in. They usually end up being quite cleaner than regular gyms.

For me, I have to work out at home so that I can take care of my kids after work.

If you're going to do stuff at home, figure out what you want and how much it will cost. An elliptical machine can take up a lot of space and cost a lot. A stationary bike takes up much less room and is much cheaper. As for weights, how much resistance do you need? Rubber bands can be pretty nice. Mine is rated for 30lbs. Kettle bells are also nice. A doorway pull-up bar like the Iron Gym is nice. FYI, I would not go for a Total gym. It's quite annoying to disassemble and put away.

mlewon

Try using resistance bands. They take up little to no room and can give the same results as free weights if used correctly. I would supplement things like a doorway pull-up bar, an 8-12lb medicine ball and a weighted pole (for squats/dead lifts and shoulder press-you can add on velcro weights to it as needed) to optimize the number of exercises that you can do!

It's going to feel weird at first, but in the long run it's going to save you a ton of money!

jedibunny

I can't really afford 40 dollars a month. I thought about biking to the gym every time I want to use it. There is one closer, but it's a Planet Fitness, and because they're only 10 dollars a month, the place is like hell on earth...

i go to a planet fitness and its not all that bad!

I wish I could say the same! I justify my PF membership by the fact that it's cheaper than others (I pay for the black card, so $20/mo) and sort of on the way to work... I work far away from my apartment. I'm seriously considering canceling and getting free weights and videos, though, because although I like using the weight/strength machines and ARC trainers, the gym itself and gym locker rooms/showers are horrid at best. Usually smells bad in the shower area and always have chunks of hair in the drains and people (usually elderly in the mornings) don't wipe off the equipment and all that jazz. I'm looking into other options for gyms because of my aforementioned enjoyment of some of the stuff, but honestly, I can't afford much more than the $20 plus gas.

Because I haven't gotten any at-home equipment yet, haven't repaired my bike, haven't found a better gym option as yet, I'll probably stay with PF for a while and try to go earlier so it isn't quite as... gross. lol

As for your situation, take some of the other posters' advice and see if you can get a pass or at least a tour of the facilities before you get a membership anywhere; start budgeting in the money for gas and the membership; ask your parents!; and maybe pick up a couple of weights for home.

SPNLuver83

get the program chalean extreme and a set of cheap select tech weights and do it at home!

that's what i did, with 25 lbs being the highest my weights go, and i've gotten great results in 3 months!

cks3d1

I just joined the gym at my work and have been going everyday on break / over lunch. It helps me stay motivated to work out. by the end of the day im spent and dont have much motivation to get out to the gym. Took me 2 years to finally join, but im glad i did!

meshashesha2012

I can't really afford 40 dollars a month. I thought about biking to the gym every time I want to use it. There is one closer, but it's a Planet Fitness, and because they're only 10 dollars a month, the place is like hell on earth...

is there a way you can still use the gym at school?

another thing to kep in mind is that if you'll be working somewhere many employers have gym discounts

but if you have to work out at home that's better than nothing though. check out sites like blogilates.com and bodyrock.tv for exercise ideas

focus4fitness

I live 15-20 min (hwy travel) from my gym. I finally gave it up and do everything in my garage now. It took us some time to get all the stuff we wanted for our home gym, but its for sure paying off. We even have Dish in our garage. :laugh:

kingcobragt500

Here in Texas you can go to a place called Play it again sports and get used equipment on the cheap. Also craigslist is a great place to find used weights!!

saragato

If you're on a budget then it might just be better to buy the weights and some DVDs to work with at home. Unless you can find a fairly cheap gym with good equipment or one that caters mostly or solely to weights and strength training then just stick with that.

mangobadango

It seems like you have already done a lot of research. My suggestion would be getting some free weights and working out at home. There are amazing online resources for at home workouts and if you weren't actually using the weight machines or bar bells then you were really there for the space.

I used to be a gym rat, then I stopped going and now can't afford it. I have definitely figured out ways to workout at home and I don't think I would want to pay for a gym again.

ETA: On the other hand my husband is always using the treadmill and the weights at the gym in our apartment complex. He would definitely use a membership.

Hellbent_Heidi

Personally, I wouldn't give up my gym membership because I love having access to all of the up-to-date equipment, but if you can't afford it, you should make due with other options for now.

Check around for used weights, or do more research to see if you can fine a less expensive gym option where you can your lifting. Does your apartment complex have a workout room? Try Craigslist or a sporting goods resale shop (or even Walmart) for a used weight set.

DeanneLea

I bought all of my home gym equipment on craigslist except my treadmill. I got VERY good deals on everything so it was definitely worth it to me. I don't like gyms at all(personal preference) so it has worked out well.

JohnnytheGeek

Do you have downstairs neighbors? The probably won't appreciate you deadlifting. :-).

Not sure where you live, but I'd recommend getting an olympic bar and some weights off of craigslist. You might be able to get by with squat stands instead of a power rack/cage and will take up less space. Even better if can double to do bench pressing with a flat bench. Add fold up sawhorses for safety when squatting/benching.

I've got a gym at home and it's great not having to travel. I've picked up everything via craigslist except I built a lifting platform.

Good Luck!

MeadowSong

I live way to far from a gym to consider it. Bought bench and free weights off craigslist from a guy that just moved closer to the gym (ha!). Got a nice bench, stand for the weights, a bunch of weights, barbell, two dumbbell sets and mat for $175. Am way happy with it. Uses about a 6 x 8 foot area to store, 8 x 10 to work out so it's not without "space" cost in a small home. I also use the side door step and a Swiss ball to complete the workouts in "New Rules of Lifting for Women" (he does include non-gym-member options for a few things that require machines). Well worth it for me.

Polly758

Perhaps it's time to branch out a bit with your workouts. We all have to adapt once in a while and it sounds like this maybe a good time for you. So First I suggest you limit your weekly visits to the gym for those workouts where you need the equipment. This'll save you time and gas money at least.

Agreed. Maybe you can get a per-visit card and do lifting once a week, then jog/bike/30-day shred instead of trying to make it work the way it used to work.

Adapt and overcome

gregpack

Gym for me- I can't stay focused at home, there's too many things to distract.

If I sold all my exercise equipment in my basment gym (that I rarely use) I could pay for two years of gym memberships, and have more room in my house, too.