What's the deal with gyms?

Lunatic379
Lunatic379 Posts: 58
in Fitness and Exercise
It seems like most people on here don't like going to the gym. They just like working out at home. When I first started working out, I felt the same way. I worked out for 9 months at home, and then hit a wall. I joined a gym, and now I have a whole outlook on working out. So I say to those who don't like the gym, give it a shot. If you have already give a different gym a shot. Maybe the one you were at just wasn't the one you were looking for.
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Replies

  • jimmie65
    jimmie65 Posts: 655 Member
    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?
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    I workout at home.. going to the gym recently has given me access to equipment that I otherwise can't afford or have the space for right now.

    I have found at home workouts that keep me from spending hours at the gym - that may be a reason that people avoid the gym. Personally, I wanna maximize my results so I do my home workouts and do some work at the gym
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    The only advantage of a gym to me is that I get my workout done quicker. I don't have to add or subtract weights from dumbells at the gym or move things around and adjust things like I have to at home. But, at home I don't have to listen to braindead commercial music, wait for equipment, and don't have to mix with the animals.
  • RunDoozer
    RunDoozer Posts: 1,699 Member
    Did anyone else read the topic name in Jerry Seinfelds voice?
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Agree:) I go to a gym that is just a big weight room, plus a room with cardio equipment, where the tv's are. It's simple!
    I tried a few other gyms using their free-pass offers, and discovered I don't like all the extra stuff.
    Reason why is that right now I have young children and am already over-stimulated a lot of the time....I don't want to do loud aerobics classes or be surrounded by tv's and other super-charged stimuli.
    Other than that, I like my cardio outside.
  • Lunatic379
    Lunatic379 Posts: 58
    So basically it's the people at the gym? I don't know, I've only been to one gym, the only thing people ever ask me is "are you using that?"

    Everyone seems to have headphone and keep to themselves, unless they are there with someone. So I guess not every gym is like that?
  • quill16
    quill16 Posts: 373 Member
    I go to the gym for the pool! My gym is actually a resort 3 miles from my house and for a fee($285/year) I have access to a fitness center, pool and hot tub with nice changing room and shower. I have a treadmill at home and a hot tub,but I enjoy the socialization at the pool and as my husband is retired and home all day it gives me "my time". I always leave my cell phone in my car. My hubby can reach me in an emergency.
  • Lunatic379
    Lunatic379 Posts: 58
    Agree:) I go to a gym that is just a big weight room, plus a room with cardio equipment, where the tv's are. It's simple!
    I tried a few other gyms using their free-pass offers, and discovered I don't like all the extra stuff.
    Reason why is that right now I have young children and am already over-stimulated a lot of the time....I don't want to do loud aerobics classes or be surrounded by tv's and other super-charged stimuli.
    Other than that, I like my cardio outside.

    So it seems like that "big" gyms are the ones to stay away from?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    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?

    Damn...that's my dream home gym. Nowhere to put it though...so for now, it's off to the gym I go.
  • Lunatic379
    Lunatic379 Posts: 58
    I go to the gym for the pool! My gym is actually a resort 3 miles from my house and for a fee($285/year) I have access to a fitness center, pool and hot tub with nice changing room and shower. I have a treadmill at home and a hot tub,but I enjoy the socialization at the pool and as my husband is retired and home all day it gives me "my time". I always leave my cell phone in my car. My hubby can reach me in an emergency.
    Do you have a spare room in your basement you want to rent me....LOL

    Sounds like the good life.
  • Lunatic379
    Lunatic379 Posts: 58
    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?

    All I hear the noise of the cash register.....LOL

    Obviously if anyone had all that stuff there is no need. But I would venture to say, most don't.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    So basically it's the people at the gym? I don't know, I've only been to one gym, the only thing people ever ask me is "are you using that?"

    Everyone seems to have headphone and keep to themselves, unless they are there with someone. So I guess not every gym is like that?

    No but do you really want someone to bother you when you're running 10MPH on the treadmill? :laugh: I personally like it that way but I don't know a lot of gyms where people are really talking while they are working out unless they know each other
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Agree:) I go to a gym that is just a big weight room, plus a room with cardio equipment, where the tv's are. It's simple!
    I tried a few other gyms using their free-pass offers, and discovered I don't like all the extra stuff.
    Reason why is that right now I have young children and am already over-stimulated a lot of the time....I don't want to do loud aerobics classes or be surrounded by tv's and other super-charged stimuli.
    Other than that, I like my cardio outside.

    So it seems like that "big" gyms are the ones to stay away from?
    Well, I don't mean that you should stay away from them. Just my reasons for liking a certain atmosphere right now. Go to the gym you enjoy, that works well for you and your finances etc. I love to go to the gym, and I'm so glad for that!

    It actually took me 3 years before I talked to anyone there! Not because I am not friendly (I am). But because I REALLY needed some meditative time, and to focus on my (poor out-of-shape) body. Me-time. I was also a bit chemically/hormonally depressed. But now I socialize a bit with some helpful "friends" in there. We motivate and encourage eachother, and it's fun:)
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    So... because you hit a wall that you couldn't overcome without the gym, everyone should try the gym?

    Sounds legit.
  • Lunatic379
    Lunatic379 Posts: 58
    Agree:) I go to a gym that is just a big weight room, plus a room with cardio equipment, where the tv's are. It's simple!
    I tried a few other gyms using their free-pass offers, and discovered I don't like all the extra stuff.
    Reason why is that right now I have young children and am already over-stimulated a lot of the time....I don't want to do loud aerobics classes or be surrounded by tv's and other super-charged stimuli.
    Other than that, I like my cardio outside.

    So it seems like that "big" gyms are the ones to stay away from?
    Well, I don't mean that you should stay away from them. Just my reasons for liking a certain atmosphere right now. Go to the gym you enjoy, that works well for you and your finances etc. I love to go to the gym, and I'm so glad for that!
    Well I've only been to one, and liked it from the start.
  • amwoidyla
    amwoidyla Posts: 257 Member
    I personally LOVE the gym. Going to the classes they offer keep me motivated and I don't get bored with my workout routine.
  • 2pupsmama
    2pupsmama Posts: 77
    I was going to my city' community centres because I could go to at least 4 of them in my area. Now I am out of work so its no longer affordable and 3 of the pools are closed for maintenance so the other one close by is packed. I can view youtube videos on my large screen tv and have a ton of weights in my home. At this time I don't see the need to set foot in the gym again.
  • BackTatJIM
    BackTatJIM Posts: 1,140 Member
    If I could afford the quipment I would workout at home but since my gym is 2 miles away has everything I need and is only $11 a month that's where I go.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    I personally prefer going to a gym. But, I don't knock the people who like to do their own thing at home. For some people, they just can't afford a gym membership. And some just don't like it. To each their own.
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    I love my gym. It has all the kit I need (I don't have the space for everything I need in my London flat), my PT, a full range of classes, squash courts, they wash my kit for me (daily), its a few minutes walk from where I work (and the train station I use) and most of the natives are friendly.
  • watchhillgirl
    watchhillgirl Posts: 597 Member
    I love going to the gym. Our local YMCA is amazing. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. I have been going for years.
    Each person is different. I go everyday after work, it has become a part of my routine. I have found that I am easily distracted at home and will find something else that I need to do and put off working out. But some people have more discipline and can work out at home just fine.
  • VasylP
    VasylP Posts: 136 Member
    I spent two months out of my element in a country totally foreign to me.. I started eating right and going to the gym their regularly. I never intermingled with many because of the communication barrier. I went there to work out - simple. I'm back in Canada now and finally after a month I have joined a gym on the recommendation of a friend who is a certified personal fitness trainer. The price was right $199.00 CDN plus taxes about $228 when you calculate it all and I could pay installments. At that price it comes to about 63 cents a day to be a member.

    Sorry that is by far the best price for any gym I have seen anywhere. The staff are professional and supportive, though on Friday morning I was there before one of the co-owners.. He had a good excuse... had to make sure he got the garbage out for the once a week collection and driving on Friday morning was quite bad.

    I have met other people there who have similar goals as I do though we don't spend a lot of time talking we do joke around and encourage one another. Humans are social animals and we all need the interaction.. If you don't then there is something wrong.

    No problem with gyms, if someone decides they will spent more money on a few pieces of equipment then for an annual membership at a gym they simply have more money then they know what to do with.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    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?

    Same.

    I don't have as much equipment, but between running outside and lifting heavy inside, I have no use for a gym. It was just using up time, money and gas.

    Now that my "commute" to the "gym" is either going outside or upstairs, I haven't missed a planned workout since July. No more "I don't have time" excuses.

    Before photo is right around the time I quit the gym. The after is less than four months after I started lifting at home. Same weight in both photos.

    IMG_4853.jpg

    The gym isn't the right choice for everyone.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    We have one of the Best YMCA in the State in my hometown so for me the choice was easy.. Plus when I started I couldn't walk so they put me in aquatic therapy in therapy pool which comes equipped with a chair lift to get in and out of the water... Lost 170 lbs. in that pool over 17 months before I was able to get fitted for braces to get out of the pool but all my weight loss was done at the YMCA (minus my walks at the metro park) so I guess I am a little partial..... lol
  • jimmie65
    jimmie65 Posts: 655 Member
    All I hear the noise of the cash register.....LOL

    Obviously if anyone had all that stuff there is no need. But I would venture to say, most don't.

    Almost everything is from Craigslist or garage sales, or home-made. The only thing I bought new is a Cap 40 lb. kettlebell (and I need to buy a heavier one),

    PF was only $12.00 a month, but didn't have the squat rack or even a real bench. The YMCA was a little better, but only 1 squat rack and I had to wait for it often. And the Y was $75 a month for the wife and me.
    I probably broke even over the course of the last year and half between membership fees and buying my equipment. But I don't have to wait to use equipment, worry about someone wiping it off, or - most of all - drive.

    I think gyms have some benefits and those benefits outweigh the disadvantages for some people. For me, it's better to work out at home.
  • Lunatic379
    Lunatic379 Posts: 58
    I was kidding on the cash register comment. It just sounded like a lot of stuff.
  • meredith1123
    meredith1123 Posts: 843 Member
    I guess I am not most people.
    I love my gym, but then again I am a Y member and my Y gym/location is super awesome. I've been going there for two years and everyone knows me, i know them and its all a big half like happy family.

    I can say i HATE meat market gyms though. ICK! I cant stand people who go to flaunt and grunt. Get over it... its a gym. we are all there for the same reason! no one is better than anyone! i dont care who you are!
  • Lunatic379
    Lunatic379 Posts: 58

    I can say i HATE meat market gyms though. ICK! I cant stand people who go to flaunt and grunt. Get over it... its a gym. we are all there for the same reason! no one is better than anyone! i dont care who you are!

    The gym I go to isn't like that at all. It's different types of people, different sizes, etc. So I guess I found a good one. Not bad for my first try, I wish everything in life worked out like that!!
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I :heart: going to the gym. If I worked out from home, I'd never work out, honestly. Paying for a membership, getting dressed, and getting my butt out of the house is my motivation. Plus, they have everything I need so all that crap isn't taking up space at home. Sure, when there's a crowd of bro's in my way it gets annoying, but I deal. Mine is only $12 a month and SO worth the money. :drinker:
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    All I hear the noise of the cash register.....LOL

    Obviously if anyone had all that stuff there is no need. But I would venture to say, most don't.

    I spent less on my equipment over the last 7 months than I would have if I'd kept my gym membership for the same amount of time. And PF didn't have free weights.

    Some people are highly motivated by going to the gym. It's a social release for them as well. I get that. It's good for a lot of people.

    I'm antisocial and dreaded running into anyone I knew at the gym (I just wanted to do what I went to do, and go home, not chit chat with anyone) and had to force myself to go. For someone like me, working out at home is heaven.

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