Gym membership.....necessary?

I currently have a gym membership and am struggling to get to the gym. I have a treadmill at home and a new bike that I'm enjoying a lot. My dilemma is not getting in the cardio. I've lost a decent amount already and have lots more to lose. I need some muscle to help me burn even when not exercising. I assuming I need to look at doing some weight training but that hasn't happened at the gym because I'm intimidated and don't know how to use the machines. Can I get weight training in at home and if so where do I start. I don't want to keep paying for a membership that isn't being used. I'm stuck and looking for opinions.

Replies

  • IsMollyReallyHungry
    IsMollyReallyHungry Posts: 15,385 Member
    Have you had someone from the gym show you how to use the machines? To answer your question. You do not need to go to the gym to do weight training but I feel the machines at the gym are more effective when you use them 2 to 3 times a week.

    There are many dvd's out now that people love and you build plenty of muscle I am told and muscle burns more fat.

    That is my 2 cents! :flowerforyou:
  • Loulady
    Loulady Posts: 511 Member
    To answer your post topic:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/921892-no-gym-required

    I'm doing traditional weight lifting with a bench set-up at home and love it, but I don't think it's the only way to go about strength training.

    Google body weight exercises and no equipment strength training, and see where those programs get you.
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    You don't *need* a gym membership - I had one but then invested in some weights / bench / squat stands etc. so I can workout at home and ditched the membership.

    However, since you already have a membership how about organising a one-off (or series of) sessions with a trainer to show you how to use the weights. Once you know how to do things correctly and safely perhaps you wont feel so intimidated going in there and lifting.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I belonged to a gym, but I came to realize I hated the act of GOING to the gym, so I bought weights for home and do all my running outside.
  • Cyclingbonnie
    Cyclingbonnie Posts: 413 Member
    For many people the gym membership is necessary, but for others it is not. Many people need to have the event to ensure they work out. Going to the gym makes that happen. Also, people you meet and get to know at the gym help you to get there and workout. I know this statement often falls on deaf ears, but no reason to be intimidated with the weights at the gym. It has been my experience that all those muscle bound guys love helping. They love sharing their theories. Once they see you are serious you become a part of the gang.

    For those that don't need to be encouraged to get their work out in the gym membership isn't necessary. Weight training is simply lifting weight ... that doesn't have to translate to dumbbells and barbells. I use resistance bands and my body. I saw a post the other day that someone was using can goods. Lifting weights is just exactly that lifting something that weighs something.

    Gym memberships are great ... loved going ... wish I could still afford one, but I'm doing fine without it.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Check out

    nerdfitness.com
    you are your own gym
  • janegalt37
    janegalt37 Posts: 270 Member
    Just to emphasize: nerdfitness.com

    And a good way to get in cardio while building muscle are Jillian Michaels videos. They work fast, and they're short.
  • amy_kee
    amy_kee Posts: 694 Member
    I think it is wonderful that you are thinking about using muscle to help burn calories between workouts! Your thinking about a great plan!. Maybe since you are struggling right now, use the option of the trainer at the gym--while you already have the membership there. Use the trainer to first teach you about the machines there and how you need to best use them for you to get the best results. After you get that down, then, use the trainer again before you end your gym membership to show you some things you can do with basic hand weights--like you could buy for yourself at home....in case you want to go that route. It just seems like using the trainer at this point would be motivational for you, and, provide you with some needed education about lifting weights. You don't have to use them forever.
  • IsMollyReallyHungry
    IsMollyReallyHungry Posts: 15,385 Member
    I think it is wonderful that you are thinking about using muscle to help burn calories between workouts! Your thinking about a great plan!. Maybe since you are struggling right now, use the option of the trainer at the gym--while you already have the membership there. Use the trainer to first teach you about the machines there and how you need to best use them for you to get the best results. After you get that down, then, use the trainer again before you end your gym membership to show you some things you can do with basic hand weights--like you could buy for yourself at home....in case you want to go that route. It just seems like using the trainer at this point would be motivational for you, and, provide you with some needed education about lifting weights. You don't have to use them forever.
    To add if I could afford a trainer I would for sure and I used one for 6 months once and about 2 months another time and they were worth every dime. But I went into withdrawals afterwards. :-) Anyways you surely learn a lot about fitness and they inspire you.
  • IsMollyReallyHungry
    IsMollyReallyHungry Posts: 15,385 Member
    For many people the gym membership is necessary, but for others it is not. Many people need to have the event to ensure they work out. Going to the gym makes that happen. Also, people you meet and get to know at the gym help you to get there and workout. I know this statement often falls on deaf ears, but no reason to be intimidated with the weights at the gym. It has been my experience that all those muscle bound guys love helping. They love sharing their theories. Once they see you are serious you become a part of the gang.

    For those that don't need to be encouraged to get their work out in the gym membership isn't necessary. Weight training is simply lifting weight ... that doesn't have to translate to dumbbells and barbells. I use resistance bands and my body. I saw a post the other day that someone was using can goods. Lifting weights is just exactly that lifting something that weighs something.

    Gym memberships are great ... loved going ... wish I could still afford one, but I'm doing fine without it.
    I agree about the people helping you out at the gym and they encourage you when they see you losing weight and getting in shape. When you miss they let you know they noticed you were not there and gym buddies are just as encouraging as MFP is depending on your gym but that is if they keep seeing you and you get to know the ones you see daily or weekly. Just typing this is making me think about going to the gym this week for sure.
  • da_bears10089
    da_bears10089 Posts: 1,791 Member
    For me, yes. I've done home workouts and i do alright with them. My husband and i had started doing P90X, but then we stopped doing it because our mind frame changes when we try to workout at home. My living room is for relaxing, so trying to push hard just doesn't happen as much as it does when i'm at the gym. I've also done Turbofire at home, which i liked, but i get more of a burn out of doing Zumba in a class with a bunch of other people.