Do you have to be a gym member?

You can lose weight by just dieting. However, you will have a completely different body composition than someone who goes to the gym regularly and lifts weights to build muscle on top of the diet.

I work a job where I can't attend a gym regularly, so I don't waste my money. I have some DVD's, an elliptical machine at home, a Wii with some fitness games and I walk/run when I can. I have managed to lose 48 pounds since April 24th by doing this, and eating right, all without attending a gym.

However, everyone is different and if you are someone who always finds excuses not to work out at home, the structure of a gym may be for you. I am motivated to do this and I find home workouts suit my lifestyle much better.

I feel better about myself since I joined the gym..Its like I worked on two different things, the way my body looks and how I eat...good luck!!

My most effective weight loss came from trekking around the mountains near my home. I love to go hiking, and I made it a point to go as many times during the week as I possibly could. I lost most of my weight (30 pounds) just hiking. Since then I've picked up some fitness DVDs because the weather has turned cold. I've still got a bit to loose, but I"m focusing more on building muscle than just strait weight loss so my weight has been staying relatively stable, but where that weight is distributed is changing. There's more muscle in my legs and chest and less fat around the middle. Last month was good for an inch and a quarter of fat lost doing Jillian's 30 Day Shred and since the 15th I started the Insanity program. Speaking of which, I need to do today's routine.

I've done better outside the gym than I ever did in it and haven't spent the money on a membership that I never use like I have in the past. That's my perspective.

So far I own no workout equipment and I am losing weight. I don't have a gym membership but I am considering it.
I eat whatever I want in moderation (but always staying under my calorie limit) and just go for walks in the morning and night. It's working so far!

Try getting a trial membership to see if you like it. Can't hurt to check it out.

It has to do with you! Personally, I joined the gym because it had childcare and it was my 1 hour a day away from my son! :laugh:

But now, I find that I feel more pressed to go to the gym because I go to the classes. I like that they have a start time and I will miss it if I am late. I also like that the same people tend to be there and there is someone telling me what to do when.

With DVDs I am more likely to say, I dont want to get up or we have something else to do, or my husband brought home a movie, lets watch that instead.

So, for me, the gym works best! If I would stay motivated and to a schedule, home I could have the same results!

I can't motivate myself to do DVDs. I do them a couple times and find them monotonous I work out outside of the gym (running, walking, hiking, cycling etc...) on nice days and that never gets old EXCEPT that I live in Washington State and I'm not always commited to getting wet and cold (and risk pnuemonia) for the sake of exercise. I don't have any equipment at home (and no place to store it if I did) and am a BIG fan of weightlifting SOOOOO as you can see I built a fair case for myself to join the gym.

I take away all of my excuses for going by prepacking my bag the night before and taking it with me to work. Instead of going straight home I go to the gym right after work. I've found great success there because I LOVE my gym, there is enough equipment to keep things fresh for my lifetime, the people there are awesome, they are open late during the week, I have access to classes (that I rarely attend) and a pool. It works for me.

Like everyone else said though, it's all about personal preference. If you have access to equipment and enjoy DVDs more power to you. If you can't keep yourself motivated to do them at home consider a gym membership.

:drinker: GOOD LUCK!

My question is

Do you think that you lose weight more effectively when you are a gym member?

Or do you think that you can do it just as well at home?

Thanks in advance xx

I certainly do not believe that you have to have a membership somewhere to lose weight. You just have to have motivation, determination, and support whether that's from a gym or not.

When I went from 191 pounds down to 128, I did it without a gym. I worked out at home and researched nutrition a lot.

Now that I am much closer to my goal weight (I bounced back up a little and have 11 more pounds to go) I am actually wanting a gym membership just so I can go to group fitness classes because I like being in a group. I also am certified to teach, but I want to join some classes first to get a better idea of how to be when I apply to teach.

But, all in all, you don't NEED a gym. Some people PREFER a gym, but you can get fit and trim without one.