What's the deal with gyms?

oeagleo

Gotta chime in here. I too, tried the "home workout" routine, but on a limited budget. I wound up with a set of barbels, a few weights, and a rather small bench. I did what I could, with a bench that had a 50Lb maximum. Prior to that, I used a treadmill, and stationary bike. I saw pretty limited results, to say the least. Then I turned 65.

I discovered a Medicare "Advantage Plan" that INCLUDES a membership in a program named "Silver Sneakers", which also includes free admittance/membership in well over a couple thousand gyms across the country, anywhere I go, I have access to a major gym, (24 Hour Fitness, Golds, Anytime, etc). I decided to see what would happen. I discovered equipment I could only dream of owning, and instructions were easy to come by, personal trainers were happy to answer questions, and give limited guidance. Of course, they live on personal training sessions income, so I can understand that, and have no problem with "limited advice". I started seeing results, I came off my plateau, and watched the body fat % go down, in only 2 months! I LOVE the gym, and to be honest, there's something to be said that after an hour, or hour and a half workout, hitting the steam room for 15-20 minutes, then the jacuzzi for another 20-30 is totally relaxing.

Unlike some, I'm retired, and can afford to spend that kind of time at the gym, and for me, it's "me" time, I put on the IPOD, loaded up with 60's rock, and go like crazy.. I could never afford the equipment that I've found at the gyms, and I honestly believe that I could never see the results as much, or as quickly as I have using the gym, rather than my limited set of weights. All for free...:happy:

Colbyandsage

I work from my home office. I am also a mom of 2 therefore joining a gym would take away from my family time since I typically work around 50 hrs a week and the closest gym in 15 mins away.

I chose to workout at lunch. I am a runner as well so it's easy for me to lace up and run! I have also done Insanity/P90x and it works out perfect for me. I have picked up smaller equipment over the years and I have a treadmill as well as an elliptical,

Everyone is different, some need to leave the house to go to a gym. Others find ways to get exercise in without a gym. If I didn't have such a busy schedule, I would live in a gym but...

dad106

I enjoy my new gym.. Never have to wait long for equipment, or anything like that. Plus I like the classes here a lot better.

My old gym.. it was fine, but I out grew it. Too crowded, and not enough of what I wanted to do.

vickilm1976

Did anyone else read the topic name in Jerry Seinfelds voice?

I totally did, even heard a bit of the theme song in my head.

amandapye78

I love going to the gym. I have 3 kids and a crazy mother in law at home. I get to get away for an hour a day. Whats not to like?

DRHogue

The first time I reached my goal weight I did it strictly by working out at home, and at that time I would have said I never needed a gym. This time around I have developed a total love for my gym. I like the sense of community when I walk in there. I can take my son and he can participate in activities there as well. Being a divorced, single mom, it also gives me a chance to be out and around other adults while working out. There are many people who take the same classes I do and who are so friendly and fun to chat with; before and after class.
I say its up to each individual person where they choose to work out but I now love the gym.

amandapye78

I love going to the gym. I have 3 kids and a crazy mother in law at home. I get to get away for an hour a day. Whats not to like?

I also need to admit, my gym has a bar. :drinker:

wolfelements

They make a gym that I cannot only walk to from my house, but it's free as well? And I'll go.

I believe in free exercise.

LiftAllThePizzas

Why wouldn't I want to go to a gym?

1- There are people there.

2- There are TVs there.

3- I am 20 miles from the nearest traffic light, probably 20-30 minutes drive to and from whatever gym would be "nearby." By the time I've driven there and back I would have already finished my workout.

4- My wife gets home from work any time between 5PM and midnight and she doesn't know when she's done with work until she's walking out the door. So I can't schedule a specific time of day for my lifting.

5- Did I mention, there are other people at the gym?

6- After working out I'd have to choose between showering with other people or sitting in the car all sweaty.

7- Reading the "gym etiquette" threads is enough to tell me I never want to see the inside of a gym.

3foldchord

I do not like or desire to go to any gym. And I am happy with my progress and fitness.
One of the neat things about humanity is the variety we have to meet similar goals.

3dogsrunning

I really like my gym, however, if I had the option to workout at home I would do it in a heartbeat. I know a lot of people at my gym and everyone is really friendly but I prefer just to get my workout done. Home gym would mean no distractions and no waiting for equipment. Plus, since we moved its a 20 minute drive each way. Like someone above said, by the time I get there and back I would be done. Also, I work shift work so my gym hours don't always work with my work hours.

Richie2shoes

I loved my old gym. I just hated driving to it. Now I have my own gym that I don't have to drive to and it's open 24/7.

JudyAngelman

I use both a gym and workout at home. I think it is a matter of preference for each of us. I pay a minimal fee to use my gym $10.60 a month and everyone is doing their own thing but sometimes I just want to workout on my total gym and bands at home. I think mixing it up works best for me so I don't get bored doing the same things all the time. Have a great workout no matter what you prefer.

stephdeeable

If I had room in my apartment, I would workout at home. I don't enjoy people. :flowerforyou:

Also, I skimmed through looking for Seinfeld gifs and was disappointed.

crazybookworm

I LOVE my gym. It's my 'Me' time! I workout both at home and the gym, but definitely prefer my gym. I joined one month after I started my weight loss journey, and I honestly don't think I would have reached my goal without my gym. They are fantastic!

larryc0923

Workout at home, workout at the gym, workout on the bike, workout on the road, workout in the pool, workout in the shower, workout in the backyard, workout at a friend's house, workout at the Y, workout anywhere it matters not. Just workout.

AZKristi

I love going to the gym. My gym has a great class schedule and excellent instructors/trainers.

slimgoody05

I enjoy working out at the gym and at home. Right now, I have been going to the gym M, W, F at 6 am to get my morning workouts done. The gym is almost empty at that time, so I have no problem with the crowds. It is a local YMCA that just opened last year so they have all new equipment and a nice indoor track and pool.

I guess it all depends on the person.

Good luck everyone with your healthy fitness goals.

LilacSnow

Did anyone else read the topic name in Jerry Seinfelds voice?

:laugh:

quirkytizzy

1) I don't have money for a gym.

2) The idea of getting into my car, fighting traffic, being in a noisy and too brightly-lit space around tons of strangers I don't know in and in place I'm not familiar with gives me a bit of a panic attack. It would only stress me out, not be conducive.

3) Therefore I work out at home or at my apartment complex's generally empty exercise room. It is best to use a system that I am comfortable with than one that upsets me so much I would avoid it.

SJ46

I the gyms I go to, they are my escape. Going to the gym keeps me sane and fitter than I would be attempting to work out at home. To each their own, we all gotta do what we gotta do!

Athena53

Whatever works. I worked out at home for years because it was convenient and cheap- bicycling or running outdoors, elliptical trainer, Nordic Track or exercise bike indoors, and a backyard pool in season. I got into gym workouts when my employer installed one and realized I was getting more intense, uninterrupted workouts.. No waiting at traffic lights, dodging traffic, slowing down my run because I was gasping in frigid air (I'm 60 and have had pneumonia once already). The machines give me good feedback.. I still bicycle, swim and run outdoors in good weather but have a gym at work and a membership at a great community center 5 minutes from the house.

For me, it's certainly not socializing or meat market- it's just a better workout most of the time.

LiftAllThePizzas

Forgot a couple more things:

- I can have my water/milk/protein shake sitting right there and drink between sets.

- I can 'grunt' as much as I like. Apparently a lot of people don't understand that it's not a grunt, it's a word that has no translation into any other spoken language. Anyway I can lift more, and I enjoy it more, when I'm squeezing my vocal chords. (And same with when I'm flexing my calves too. It's probably cross-wiring in my cerebellum but seems to recruit more muscle.)

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I don't like all the people that come with the gym. :P If I could afford the weights/bench I wouldn't go to the gym, but the gym on base is free so it makes more sense to go there.

DaniH826

My gym is now in garage. Which means I've now got zero excuses to not stick with my workout schedule.

When I had a gym membership it was too easy to make excuses to not go and keep my butt planted on the couch and gain weight.

I'm a home body and prefer it this way. Everyone is different. Don't be knocking people for their preferences. There's enough ways out there for everyone to get regular exercise in. A gym membership is simply one of many different options.

jimmie65

I love going to the gym. I have 3 kids and a crazy mother in law at home. I get to get away for an hour a day. Whats not to like?

I also need to admit, my gym has a bar. :drinker:

I would join that gym.

jillybeansalad

I've got over 400 lbs of weights, a squat rack, suspension trainer, 20 lb medicine ball, kettlebells, dumbbells, rebounder, a 100 lb heavy bag, and even a bosu at home. So exactly why should I give a gym another shot?

People eye-ballin' ya. j/k Your setup sounds pretty sweet.

LiftAllThePizzas

Did anyone else read the topic name in Jerry Seinfelds voice?

I totally did, even heard a bit of the theme song in my head.

Same here. I was also tempted to add "I can pee in the shower," to my list of reasons to use my home gym.

jjlibunao

I'm a runner, so of course it's so much easier and faster to knock a quick 3 mile run than go to the gym. But there are just days I don't feel like running or it's pouring rain and I have to get a workout in - those are the days I'll use the gym. Plus, our 24 Hour Fitness has a pretty good kid's club, so I take advantage of that.

But when it come to cardio, it seems like it takes forever to do 30 minutes indoors (on the cardio machines) vs. running outdoors. And I feel like a get a better workout walking/jogging on real hills than doing it on a machine. However, i'm more disciplined to do strength training (weights, weight machines, crunches, push-ups) at the gym than at home.

1brokegal44

Hmmm. I do both. I like my gym. There's a competition level that I don't have at home (there's always this 1 guy on the elliptical next to me that I sort of race with). I use the machines to get my cardio in. At home I do weights and circuits. There's just no place to do them at the gym. If I want to lift, I'm stuck in the weight area, where I can't really do the circuits that I know work for me. I guess it's one of those "different strokes for different folks" scenarios.