time constraints for a gym membership

I've struggled with the whole time with my son part and going to the gym. But we make it work. I take him to the gym with me right after work (I'm off around 5, we're usually to the gym around 6), he gets to play in the child center which he LOVES--he even asks me sometimes "Mommy can we go to the gym today??" They take the kids that are old enough to climb on the rock wall once a week, and all kinds of stuff. So he really enjoys it and gets to be active as well. Then we're home usually by around 8ish, eat dinner, read a book, he has his bath etc...he's not usually in bed until 10, I'm typically right after him at 10:30.

Would I like to have my 5 year old in bed earlier? Absolutely. But this is what works for us right now. He gets plenty of rest, wakes himself up in the morning, isn't exhausted at night (he's ALWAYS trying to stay up later!), and we get to have time together, and I get to make sure he's being active and eating healthy foods right along with me. I adjust that schedule if he has a t-ball game or practice or something, but for the most part, that's what our weekdays look like. The weekends I have a lot more flexibility, and I usually take a rest day on Friday so we can do something fun when he gets out of school. That's basically the same kind of schedule I had with my mom growing up...my parents both worked full time and went to the gym every day too.

For me, a gym membership was essential. I won't work out at home. But if you have the motivation to do DVDs like p90x or whatever, and you'll actually do it, that's probably the most time efficient. I've tried that route and don't push myself enough to work out at home, so I know that for me, I have to go to the gym.

What time does the gym you are considering open in the morning? Could you go before your wife leaves for work? I go at 5am because it is the only time I can make it work.

I have the same problem. I have a 2 year old. Her dad and I both work. By the time I get home from work at 5 all I want to do is spend time with her not go to the gym. So I usually go around 8PM after she goes to bed. It helps that my gym is only 5 minutes away. I lose some time with my husband at night but neither of us mind too much. It gives each of us some much needed down time doing what we enjoy. I've tried going in the morning but I've realized I'll never be a morning person so I'm not even going to kid myself anymore. If all else fails start looking for a used treadmill online that you could use at home. Or take walks at night with your wife and kids. Good luck!

I have young kids and work full time. My husband does, too. I can't make a gym membership make sense, either. But I do run at least 4 times a week, usually 3-6 miles at a time, almost always in the early morning. I haven't managed to start weight training, other than lifting two heavy preschoolers. But used weight sets are cheap on Craigslist--no more than a few months' gym membership--so you could incorporate that after the kids go to bed.

I actually have a small weight room at work (and showers) so as soon as I learn the basics of weights, I will start doing that here, too. Right now I'm in such a time crunch training for my first 10k that I hate to sacrifice a morning run for weights. But I will!

Anyway, I don't think that you HAVE to join a gym. It's totally possible to get plenty of exercise without it.

It is hard to balance a family, house, work & social time. I have a one year old. A couple of days a week I wake up at 5am and go out for a jog. A couple of days I work out after my son goes to bed ~ I take out workout DVD's from my local library. This way there is no cost and I always have a variety. A couple of nighs I will also take my son for a walk with his wagon or in the carriage. On weekends I take my son to the park and we do a long jog.

Try and make exercise fun for the whole family. Taking walks, hikes or bike rides. Some weekends I just take my son out in the back yard and play our hearts out. We chase each other, roll around on the ground and laugh so hard that my sides hurt. But, we have fun and burn calories.

I also, do the little things like park my car away from my office so I have to walk extra 5 mins but, that is 5 more minutes of excerise.

Just remember to be flexible. It is hard to keep a workout schedule with young kids (I have missed many works due to my son not feeling well) but, there is always tomorrow.

Please feel free to add me as a friend for support.

I used to work 9 to 5 without taking a lunch break. Then I got hooked on the gym and go everyday for an hour (usually longer due to showering etc). I felt guilty not getting home till 6pm and only seeing the kids for an hour before they went to bed. Then a friend pointed out my kids would rather have a happy mum for an hour than an overweight grumpy one. It's a matter of priorities isn't it.