Trying to decide if I should join the gym?

AmandaJ

The gym membership here is $30 per month. I used to pay that amount for water aerobic and that was a set schedule, not at the gym, the gym doesn' t have a pool. The gym has great exercise and weight traing equipment . There is also free classes that are offered at set times.

I could walk / run here now like I am doing and ride my broken exercise bike, which I am doing now. Both of those are free. I also have a 10 lb weight. My mom also has an elliptical that I could use, she only lives a mile away.

I guess I am trying to decide if the gym is worth it or not. There is no childcare so I would have to go when dh is home or when the kids are in school.

If you have a gym membership is it worth it and also what benefts you the most there?

April0815

I love my gym membership. I cannot workout at home, I don't know why I just can't.

pinbotchick

I don't have a gym membership because the closest one is an hour away. As an alternative, you could consider investing in (spending the monthly membership on) some exercise DVDs. You can do them anytime, have a friend over to do them with you and don't need a sitter. Here is a good website to check out DVD options. There are a wide range of options from low impact walking DVDs, to step aerobics, interval training, toning with bands, kickboxing, The Shred and/or P90X system. Good luck with your decision.

http://www.collagevideo.com/AboutUs.aspx

cherie2304

Let me tell you that when I started this journey I started it on the treadmill, which was fine. After 5 months of walking/runnng on the treadmill 6 days a week it got old. I joined a gym after 5 months and have now been going for 6 months. Its really the best thing I could have done. There are of course exercises you can do at home for strenth training but its the gym that gets me going. Its really what you think will be more beneficial. The gym has more equipment meaning more variety, no family distractions, and the variety helps with avoiding plateaus (although sometimes they are inevitable). You need to decide what is best for you. Good luck!!!!!

wks7777

I have one, they do have free childcare for up to 2 hrs, they have LOTS of classes that are free, there are 3 different locations in our town that we can use, all have different class schedules so thats convienent. Those are the best things about it to me also its motivating when u get there cuz u dont want to waste ur time..i have a hard time motivating if im not at the gym.

AmandaJ

Thanks for the answers. :flowerforyou:

Cherie2304, you made me realize something. I usually walk with my mom and my friend and while that is great, I burn about 380 calories in 60 to 65 minutes. Yesterday I went myself and also in the past and burnt 400 calories in 37 minutes which means I work much harder when it is just me. I think I will try the one free time at the gym and see how it goes.

cherie2304

Thanks for the answers. :flowerforyou:

Cherie2304, you made me realize something. I usually walk with my mom and my friend and while that is great, I burn about 380 calories in 60 to 65 minutes. Yesterday I went myself and also in the past and burnt 400 calories in 37 minutes which means I work much harder when it is just me. I think I will try the one free time at the gym and see how it goes.

Yeah its amazing how hard you workout when you are by yourself. I workout with my roommate and sometimes we end up doing different machines or routines but the fact that we go together is motivational especially when one of us doesn't want to go.

angiemcnett

I have a gym membership and I love it. I am more motivated to go and exercise because I am paying for it. The stuff I have at home to use just doesn't motivate me enough to do it on a regular bases.

mavsfan2009

I love going to the gym. Some people tend to get anxious about it because there are other people around, but I like it - it makes me work harder. I also like being able to go to the pool (I know you said your gym didn't have that, though), sauna, etc.. And weight training is so easy - they have everything you need! You can also add variety with classes. I would definitely reccomend a gym membership.

mstanley

I love going to the gym. I would never make myself exercise if I didn't go straight to the gym after work.

Shelley130

I always put in longer workouts at the gym. if I'm at home on the treadmill and after 15 minutes I feel tired, it's way too easy to stop. At the gym I would just feel stupid to get off after 15 min and go home.
Definitely think I work harder when I think someone could be watching me.

BrendaLee

I workout at home, because my workout of choice is aerobics, and I'm much more comfy doing that alone in my livingroom (I'm rather uncoordinated). When my weight gets down more, and my goal turns to strength training, I will definitely get a gym membership for that, and hopefully at least 1 session with a trainer to show me what to do.

AmandaJ

I am going to try the free day with my sister tomorrow and I am excited!