Should I cancel my gym membership?

PlatinumPiggy
PlatinumPiggy Posts: 90
edited September 24 in Fitness and Exercise
right-thinking of cancelling my gym membership and working out at home (I have free weights) and doing the occasional runs in the week and possibly buying some good fitness DVD's. What does everyone recommend?
I've recently moved house and the gym is not as close and convenient as it used to be. Also with summer coming I can run in mornings and do DVD's at home.
Who else works out just from home? Any advice or good DVD's that work? Really want to focus on strength and resistance training, not really cardio
x:smile:

Replies

  • Kate_UK
    Kate_UK Posts: 1,299 Member
    I work out at home. I can't afford a gym subscription right now, but even if I could I wouldn't be able to find the time to go. Where as at home, I just kick off my socks, unroll my mat and away to go! I LOVE Jillian Michaels work outs, they are high intenesity and therefore make the most of my spare time. I started out with the 30 day shred and then bought Banish fat boost metabolism, and no more trouble zones. BFBM is mainly cardio and NMTZ is mainly strength training. Both are tough but I really enjoy them both and rotate them along with the shred.
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    I personally prefer the gym, since I find it's not just more motivating but it has more equipment. I'm focused more on strength training too, have free weights at home but just find there's more a range at the gym and I find it easier. I workout cardio at home with insanity though as I get bored easily with gym cardio machines, plus my gym's not great for cardio stuff.
    It's up to you though, if you're ok working out at home and, if gyms not close and you're rarely going to go there anyway because of this, it probably would be best to cancel and work out at home.
  • happy_jax
    happy_jax Posts: 289 Member
    Hi... tough call.

    Although I feel I can give advice - because I have just done that myself!

    It was a big deal to me as well. I used to me a member of Virgin Active and was a total gym-bunnie at least once a day, sometimes twice...loved it - but then I moved across town and it took me 50 minutes to get there! So I had to switch to our local council gym as it was the only one nearby. Needless to say, I started only going three/four times a week as it was always so crowded (although to be fair, for the price it was great facilities!) and started doing DVDs, walking, running etc so much more.

    So after a proper "slump" in December (when I didn't go at all!!) I quit the gym and have been a "home work out" person ever since. I must say...the extra cash in the bank is very nice!! AND I do not think my fitness has suffered at all. Sometimes, it's easier to work out at home - as the hassle of actually getting to the gym is removed. You can still have a good variety of workouts at home (although I do miss spin classes *sob sob*) and motivation isn't really an issue - as we all have MFP for that!

    What I would say though is that as I am at my goal weight and really need to tone/tighten more than lose - I do miss the variety of weights machines on offer at a gym. Of course, different DVDs offer toning exercises - and I do have free weights, but somehow it's not quite the same. If I can persuade my other half to sell his convertible (sooo unlikely!)...the garage will get a weights training area added to it pretty swiftly!! :laugh:

    Overall though - I think it's fine to quit and workout from home - but I guess you should really evaluate your goals first to make sure you aren't making too big a sacrifice!
  • minicakeumz
    minicakeumz Posts: 13
    Check to see if you can put a freeze on your membership (my gym allows 3 months) before cancelling all the way. If working out at home doesn't work out for you, you can always go back to the gym.
  • marialy21
    marialy21 Posts: 60 Member
    I did that a couple years ago. I only lasted 2 months before I signed up at the gym again. My advice would be to put your gym membership on hold for 2 months and see how you do and avoid paying initiation fees and all that stuff if you change your mind.
  • arwamya
    arwamya Posts: 304
    if YOU can work out at home do it. The idea is to be completely honest and totally committed .I have lost 46 lbs doing yoga at home and walking so yes it's very much possible. You can try Jillian's 30 day shred it's good
  • McBody
    McBody Posts: 1,703 Member
    I do a lot of cross-fit type workouts which you can definitely do from home... but I also have a free gym membership so I utilize that as well.

    There's a website that I go to that has some AMAZING at home workouts that require very little equipment and you get a really good burn out of them... www.bodyrock.tv (you just have to ignore the fact that she looks like a porn star, because at one point in time, she was a porn star). The workouts are more along the lines of cross-fit workouts and you'll build/ tone lean muscle!
  • melgibson
    melgibson Posts: 702 Member
    Hey Babe xxx

    I have to say that I would vote work out at home!!

    I have been a member of many gyms over the years and have never got anywhere near the results that I have when I put my mind to it at home.

    My nearest gym in 15 minutes by car, then park, so that takes at least 30 minutes before I've packed a gym bag or done anything, I could have done a whole shred DVD in that time and burned a genuine 120cals. Plus you can't go to the gym in you PJ's or at midnight, which is sometimes the only time I get to workout!!!

    I have a couple of DVD's which I LOVE!!!

    Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. I love this, it's a good all round workout and can be made harder as you get used to it by adding extra weights or heavier weights, and just 20 minutes so always easy to fit into my day.

    I also have Turbo Jam, which has kickboxing / dance type routines, and also some other workouts with weights.

    And Then I have Yoga DVD's.

    I think these three are my favourites. But I have lots of others too so I don't get bored, some of the dance workouts are quite good too.

    I also have a stepper machine at home and weights.

    Plus I run when I can and walk a lot, so with all that I really don't feel like I need to go to a gym, it saves me money and I don't have to arrange child care to workout!! I fit more exercise in as can do it when I want and don't have to go anywhere to get it done.

    Good luck what ever you decide xxxx :flowerforyou:
  • kmeekhof
    kmeekhof Posts: 456 Member
    I only workout at home. Jillian Michaels - No More Trouble Zones great for sthrength training. 6 week six pack- great for core!!
  • benitocereno
    benitocereno Posts: 101 Member
    I prefer working out at home, but some people do better in gyms if they need the motivation. It all depends on you and your willpower, home can be a very distracting place :smile:

    The only thing I miss about being at home is there's no way I can do deadlifts or proper squats here! You can do dumbbell modified versions, but meh, full bars are nice.
  • Nate7373
    Nate7373 Posts: 4
    Cancel your gym membership. Why? Because you can practically do anything in your garage as you can in the gym and avoid the time having to drive there, wait for equipment (during busy hours) and avoid the annoyance of unmotivated people who are their to socialize. If you are becoming a powerlifter, bodybuilder or high level athlete then gym with many machines is necessary. If your short of time and have other passions, your garage is your best friend. Read this article and let me know your thoughts.

    http://www.nateanglin.com/warning-cancel-your-gym-membership/
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