Rather exercise outside than be I a gym

ozmakitten
ozmakitten Posts: 16
in Fitness and Exercise
I read, every day, people who exercise in a gym. I admire their efforts but couldn't think of anything worse than doing body movements in an artificial setting. I prefer to go outside, rain, snow, hail or shine and exercise in nature! Gardening burns so many calories. I Love reading people who walk their dogs. If only I had a dog. I walk in the National Parks, along the beach, ride my bike, put my iPod on and jump around in the backyard! Does anyone else dislike gyms so much?

*be in a gym it's supposed to say haha
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Replies

  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    lots of people don't like the gym. But the gym is it's own social environment- and becomes an ebb and flow of familiarity. I love it.

    Also- there is stuff that unless you have the space and money to set up- you can't do at home- the gym provides the ability to go and use equipment that you can't keep at home.

    shrug- working outside is nice- but it's completely different than lifting or being around those people.
  • veggiebuckeye
    veggiebuckeye Posts: 115 Member
    I am not a fan of gyms either. I love running outdoors and I have my own equipment at home.
  • Carol_L
    Carol_L Posts: 296 Member
    When you live in a climate where you can get -50 C (pretty much -60 F for those who can't convert from Metric), and this year the snowbanks are pushing 5 feet and it's not even February, having a gym to work out in is a blessing.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    This is no different than asking why people would work inside an office building instead of outside on the beach.

    Because that's where they need to handle their business
  • InForBacon
    InForBacon Posts: 1,508 Member
    This is no different than asking why people would work inside an office building instead of outside on the beach.

    Because that's where they need to handle their business
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    People have different goals. Given the choice I would do most cardio outside under most normal circumstances.....There are exceptions. But cardio is a much lesser goal for me than strength training. I would have a very hard time doing all of my strength training in a natural outdoor environment.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I am not a fan of gyms either. I love running outdoors and I have my own equipment at home.

    Is your equipment at home located outside in your garden?
  • DeadliftAddict
    DeadliftAddict Posts: 746 Member
    Call me crazy but, I don't think I can make any strength or muscle gains with progressive overload in the garden or going for a walk with my dog. I'm glad you have found something that you enjoy doing though.
  • stillnot2late
    stillnot2late Posts: 385 Member
    This is no different than asking why people would work inside an office building instead of outside on the beach.

    Because that's where they need to handle their business

    Great answer
  • in4nomz
    in4nomz Posts: 230
    I definitely would prefer doing cardio exercise outside, but as for weight lifting...the gym is where it's at :happy:
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    I read, every day, people who exercise in a gym. I admire their efforts but couldn't think of anything worse than doing body movements in an artificial setting. I prefer to go outside, rain, snow, hail or shine and exercise in nature! Gardening burns so many calories. I Love reading people who walk their dogs. If only I had a dog. I walk in the National Parks, along the beach, ride my bike, put my iPod on and jump around in the backyard! Does anyone else dislike gyms so much?

    *be in a gym it's supposed to say haha

    Blanket statement.... too many people with different goals. Do you want me to jump up and down on a heavy tree branch until it breaks off so I can Squat with it?

    "Doing body movements in an artificial setting" lol...
  • just_Jennie1
    just_Jennie1 Posts: 1,233
    I go to the gym and I like it. Sure I'd love to be outside and run and walk my dog all the time but the fact of the matter is I can't. 3-4 months out of the year it's freezing cold out. Heck this week it hasn't been above zero. I hate the cold and I"m not going to put on layers and bundle up just to go for a run when I know I'll be miserable the entire time. So the gym is a great option for me.

    That's great that you can run around in your back yard, walk your dogs, and walk in parks but not everyone can. Or wants to.
  • brianlowell
    brianlowell Posts: 28 Member
    This is no different than asking why people would work inside an office building instead of outside on the beach.

    Because that's where they need to handle their business

    +1
  • DeltaZero
    DeltaZero Posts: 1,197 Member
    Good for you.
  • Poofy_Goodness
    Poofy_Goodness Posts: 229 Member
    lots of people don't like the gym. But the gym is it's own social environment- and becomes an ebb and flow of familiarity. I love it.

    Also- there is stuff that unless you have the space and money to set up- you can't do at home- the gym provides the ability to go and use equipment that you can't keep at home.

    shrug- working outside is nice- but it's completely different than lifting or being around those people.

    This.

    I was terrified of gyms and hated the idea of them for a long time. But now I NEED a gym because I don't have the space for the equipment I need for my routine.

    I still get out and hike, or ride my bike, or walk around when weather permits.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    How many times have you "gone out" when the air temp is -20 and Windchill in the -50's or -60's?
  • sewerchick93
    sewerchick93 Posts: 1,438 Member
    lots of people don't like the gym. But the gym is it's own social environment- and becomes an ebb and flow of familiarity. I love it.

    Also- there is stuff that unless you have the space and money to set up- you can't do at home- the gym provides the ability to go and use equipment that you can't keep at home.

    shrug- working outside is nice- but it's completely different than lifting or being around those people.

    couldn't have said it better!!
  • btsinmd
    btsinmd Posts: 921 Member
    This is no different than asking why people would work inside an office building instead of outside on the beach.

    Because that's where they need to handle their business

    Love this!

    Yes, I agree, it would be terrific to be able to do everything that can be done in a gym outside. I would love it and definitely prefer it and there's no reason it couldn't be .. well except for weather. It was 7F / -14C this morning and I live in a mild climate compared to some places. I can just see someone this morning, outside, getting sweaty, lifting their bar and then having it freeze to their hands.
  • Joreanasaurous
    Joreanasaurous Posts: 1,384 Member
    Uhh good for you. Sadly I don't think gardening would cut it for me in reaching my goals.

    I love hiking and running outside, but I equally love going to the gym and getting stronger and healthier. Ehh.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Alas I cannot move the power rack outside...and while I'd love to own my own, I have no room for it in my house so I hit the weight room in the gym. I actually enjoy it...I've met a lot of great people and I learn different things from them in RE to my lifts. If I didn't belong to my gym and hadn't met the people I've met I wouldn't be working on my Oly lifts right now.

    As cardio goes I definitely prefer to be outside on my bike or going for a hike or something...and I'm glad that my gym has an outdoor pool for the summer because I really don't like indoor pools. But even while I prefer to be outside, sometimes weather or other circumstances keep me from doing so....so I will hit the gym rather than scrapping my workout for the day.

    I'd also mention that it took me awhile to really find a gym that I like...I love my current gym and couldn't imagine having to go somewhere else at this point. My gym rocks and the trainers and all of the rest of the staff are awesome. I was even thinking about applying for their open accounting manager position a couple months ago just so I could pretty much be there all of the time...but I would have had to take a relatively hefty pay cut.
  • JazminGowdy
    JazminGowdy Posts: 31
    I am with you there. Gyms are not my cup of tea; I get so bored working out at a gym. I prefer exercising outside where I can see my environment change as I go.
  • Bigmitch41
    Bigmitch41 Posts: 73 Member
    Yup, the outdoors for me :)
  • WhiteRabbit1313
    WhiteRabbit1313 Posts: 1,091 Member
    I read, every day, people who exercise in a gym. I admire their efforts but couldn't think of anything worse than doing body movements in an artificial setting. I prefer to go outside, rain, snow, hail or shine and exercise in nature! Gardening burns so many calories. I Love reading people who walk their dogs. If only I had a dog. I walk in the National Parks, along the beach, ride my bike, put my iPod on and jump around in the backyard! Does anyone else dislike gyms so much?

    *be in a gym it's supposed to say haha

    *If* I do cardio, I prefer it to be in a natural/recreational setting; however, I enjoy going to the gym (I can't believe I just said that!) to lift weights. If I were still trying to rack up hours on the elliptical, stairmaster, etc., then I'd still loathe the gym.
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    This is no different than asking why people would work inside an office building instead of outside on the beach.

    Because that's where they need to handle their business

    I wish there was a "Like" tab
  • Shannonpurple
    Shannonpurple Posts: 268 Member
    How many times have you "gone out" when the air temp is -20 and Windchill in the -50's or -60's?

    I second that! If I might die because I am outside then I will go to the gym. I live where there is WINTER.
  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    How many times have you "gone out" when the air temp is -20 and Windchill in the -50's or -60's?
    I'd rather bundle up than run on a treadmill.
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    I went to the gym here at my apartment complex when I first moved in. All three treadmills were taken, and nothing else was in use. It was 70 and sunny out :(
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    HD_Elite_-_Power_Rack.gif

    I just have this weird feeling that gardening and walking my dog aren't going to get me the same results as this thing^^^^

    Don't get me wrong, one of my responsibilities (per my wife) as man of the house is to get out in the yard and keep it looking nice...and we enjoy taking nice family walks with the dog and we all enjoy a good bike ride...but still...just don't think those things are going to quite cut the mustard for me.
  • blunder_bolt
    blunder_bolt Posts: 32 Member
    I'd rather excercise outside, but gyms serve a purpose, for example the weather is awful here at the moment. Secondly, I'd love to be able to do bodyweight exercises and generally play around trees and playground equipment (when children dont want it of course) but I'm not strong enough, so in the mean time, I'll lift heavy at the gym, work out there and be in a better shape to take advantage of the good weather when it comes!

    thats just me. The Gym is better for certain people (bodybuilders, powerlifters and so on) and less for others (runners, etc) It depends what your outcome is


    IF I can workoutside, I will.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    I love the gym.... I used to go to lifetime fitness and it was the bomb... so worth the money. Not only tons of equipment but a nice locker room with towels, an indoor and outdoor pool, a daycare... I went there like every day during the summer. If I wasn't working out I was going to lay out by the pool! However, I moved. And now the only gyms close to me are not even half as cool. But it gets the job done. Just no pool. Or towels.

    Besides, I can't lift weights in the great outdoors. Well I guess I could, but I'd have to go buy all the equipment and then set it up outside, which is just stupid.

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