What's the deal with gyms?

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.

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.



The gym isn't the right choice for everyone.

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.

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!

I 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:

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:

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.

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 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:

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.