So I hate the gym..

ebayaddict0127
ebayaddict0127 Posts: 523 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Back in the day I'd go to the gym every day for 1-2 hours and work my butt off. I was 5'5" and weighed 125 to 130 lbs. I looked fab. I don't remember despising the gym like I do now. I find myself much more motivated to do a Fitness Blender workout, walk on my treadmill at home, walk at lunch during work, or find a free online video. I have some free weights at home and a small bench. I also have the Bowflex Select Tech (my husband's) in case I get super strong - they're the larger ones.

I've gone to the gym twice recently and immediately wanted to leave. It's crowded and men were moaning loudly and girls in booty shorts were bending over and checking themselves out in the mirror... It's just not my scene.

I am going to try to get fit without the gym. Who needs a gym??

Who else lost weight and got fit without a gym? Any tips or advice?
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Replies

  • stahlight
    stahlight Posts: 119
    I get so bored at the gym mostly. Endless cardio it seems haha! Try taking up sports like volleyball and so on. Running. Mix it up. I also hate the gym because it generally stinks (especially the dude-room after the 6pm rush... yeech!) So softball leagues, basketball games... Theres usually a lot of sports around that can be fun exercise.

    Also speaking of girls in booty shorts... where's your gym? Sounds like my scene ;)
  • Chenoachem
    Chenoachem Posts: 1,758 Member
    I lost all my weight without stepping foot in a gym. If it works for you, save the money and workout at home. :smile:
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    If the only goal is to lose weight, you can do that by diet alone with no exercise.

    But if you like home workouts, then keep at it. You don't have to join a gym to be fit.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I need a gym because I have no space in my home for a power rack or olympic floor. Barring that, I ride my bike and such outside....but I kinda need the gym for that stuff. I don't think your husband's bo-flex is going to quite cut it for me.
  • osuzorba
    osuzorba Posts: 35 Member
    Different gyms have different atmospheres, even right down the street from each other. So it might be worth checking out another one in the area. Planet Fitness can be pretty good for people new to the gym scene and don't want a lot of body builders and booty shorts around.

    I also have never been good about going to the gym when my goal was just going to gym or look better. So my wife and I took up hiking, then extreme hiking, so I go to the gym so I don't die on the side of a mountain or have to get coptered out of some place.

    You also absolutely don't need a gym. I do a lot of workout outside when it's not winter time. And I know a lot of people that enjoy working out at home, just not my thing.
  • RoamingDuck
    RoamingDuck Posts: 74
    Try doing crossfit or get into a martial art. You'll be getting fit, having fun, and making friends.
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    I only recently joined a gym on my husbands encouragement. I have been saying the whole time I don't need a gym but frankly at this point I just need the weights and machines and we don't have room for them at home so my husband was like just suck it up and go to the gym, amy. I had done just fine with walking the neighborhood, the walking trails or my fav: the bridge. I do tae bo and yoga videos and even picked up some resistance bands for home. I feel that as long as you are exercising then it doesn't matter what you do as long as you do it. You should love what you do. I suggest you try another gym when you are ready to go. Not all gyms are like that.
  • RECowgill
    RECowgill Posts: 881 Member
    I go to the gym but there's really only one piece of equipment that I use: Get a barbell with some plates. Technically it's all you need. Ideally then you also have a Bench and Rack.

    Several times I've been very tempted to just do this at home, but I actually like the gym. I like seeing other people at different stages of progress and I like the flexibility that the gym has to offer. Sometimes I may want to use a piece of equipment that is just too expensive to own.

    But a barbell with some plates and a few extras is more than enough. You only ever need to do squats, deadlifts, benching, overhead press and bent over rows. Everything else is your choice but is pretty unnecessary. Those of the essentials, and nobody needs a gym for those. And the equipment to do those five exercises can be gotten for real cheap.
  • katmumn
    katmumn Posts: 78 Member
    I'm exactly like you. I used to love the gym. I was one of those 90 min - 2 hours at the gym sort. But when I re-joined the same gym last year, I couldn't stand it. I got really tired of all the young guys in the free weight area grunting, leaving weights strewn about, just generally being inconsiderate. And the girls weren't always much better.

    I think it's part of getting older. I'm slowly adding equipment at home and turning an extra bedroom into my gym space. I'm much happier. And once the weather warms up and I can do more workouts outside, I'll be happier still
  • Ispineveryday
    Ispineveryday Posts: 4
    I had the same problem. I was a member of my local YMCA the aerobics classes were either too easy or too hard the fitness room was too small and over crowded. I quit my YMCA and created a make shift gym in my basement. A spinning bike a DVD player a small TV some fitness DVD s and a few weights was all I needed. Meanwhile I shopped around until I found a better gym and now I do both. The big plus about my new gym? The spinning bikes are out in the fitness room anyone can use them at anytime!
  • eso2012
    eso2012 Posts: 337 Member
    Hello I can so totally relate! :) Like you, I used to be a gym rat. I could not imagine working out anywhere else...there was a kind of vibe in the gym that got me going (mostly weight, pathetic on cardio).

    Then I stopped going. For YEARS. Had 2 memberships at one time...money down the drain. Just lost that connection. Totally abandoned exercises in fact. About 3 years ago, decided to sign up for Pilates. And then TRX at the same studio. Then UGI ball. Then more bodyweight training. Then onto Jillian Michaels, PX90 etc.......and discovered that I am definitely a home-workout person.

    1. HIIT, Tabata, TRX etc are way more enjoyable cardio than treadmills or elliptical. I hated those machines so never really did cardio. Now I have plenty of ways to work on my cardio...never bored! Amazed at what my body can do, really.

    2. As I learned weight lifting 20 years ago, the trend has changed a lot. Previously, gym was the only place you could go, more or less. Now the home workout (fitness blender is one of my fave too), HIIT for 30 mins....all about efficiency AND effectiveness. The 3 hours I used to spend in the gym....looking back, very little gains. Now I can see quick and solid results without wasting 2 hours in the gym.

    3. One big discovery - fitnessblender, JM (DVD and online sub), DVDs, Youtube freebies, Bodyrocker etc....all give me an opportunity to experiment. It is safe to say that for the first time in my life I WANT to exercise because it is FUN. Previously, though I did a lot in the gym, it was a chore, not an enjoyment. Huge difference!
  • eso2012
    eso2012 Posts: 337 Member
    Oh, I started a thread asking others for sites/apps similar to Fitness Blender. You may want to check it out, some good suggestions there (please add yours!)

    off the top of my head
    - WarriorZ (zuzkalight...previously bodyrocker)
    - XFit
    - Real Fit

    I subscribe to Jillian Michale's online customized circuit training.

    For my homegym, I kind of invested in stuff here and there. Now I have all kinds of weights, bands, bars, etc....different DVDs (some I don't like such as Turbo fire, some I keep going back to, like JM).

    Just invested in a Pilate Reformer as well. Pretty hard core :)
  • Beautyandthebeef
    Beautyandthebeef Posts: 80
    I totally read my nook the entire time on the elliptical at the gym-so I can kindof not pay as much attention to the fact that I am at the gym so I get it!
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    Havent used a gym for years. Running (in the street, not on a treadmill) is the best way in terms of calorie loss.
  • benefiting
    benefiting Posts: 795 Member
    I'm getting Focus T25. Some may not believe in it but I'm going to give it a try anyway. :)
  • RickNeedzToGetShreaded
    RickNeedzToGetShreaded Posts: 293 Member
    I'd say try another gym, mines pretty chilled and friendly but the music sometimes is ****e. Oh yeah and definitely no girls bending over :(
  • coastalfit
    coastalfit Posts: 1 Member
    I couldn't agree more. I used to work at a gym and I also paid to workout at another gym for several years. I almost feel burned out from the environment. I now workout at home using a stationary bike, light weights, a mat, and self-discipline. It's very difficult, but so far, I've been forcing myself to workout after I get home from work, which might be very late at night. Pulling together support from a forum like this can always help!
  • GeminiFitness1
    GeminiFitness1 Posts: 63 Member
    I think as long as attaining your goals and you have motivational support from family and friends is so important. Only 10% of the population workout. Keep up the great work. My gym that I own we only have 5% men.
  • JoJo__Fit
    JoJo__Fit Posts: 258 Member
    I love the gym!!

    My gym is always crowded, It doesn't bother me. I never pay any attention to what people are doing or what noises they are making. I get in and out an about an Hour. I know exactly what I'm targeting and know my other options if the dumbbells or machines are taken.

    But if you have workout equipement at home, then do IT!
  • Roadie2000
    Roadie2000 Posts: 1,801 Member
    Move to Michigan, I've been getting a pretty good workout all winter just by shoveling snow (sarcasm).

    But seriously, I don't love the gym, but I don't feel like I can get a good strength workout in without it. I love the squat rack and the bench press.

    I just try to use everything I have at my disposal so I don't get bored and keep my muscles confused. In the winter I do a workout DVD like P90x or Insanity at home, shovel snow, snowboard, occasionally go to the gym, or just lift weights at home. In the summer I run outside, tend the garden, occasionally go to the gym, ride my bike, etc.
  • Lisafromtheburgh
    Lisafromtheburgh Posts: 14
    I had a love hate relationship with my gym. The aerobics classes were 50 minutes of cardio and the instructors would try to cram in weights the last ten minutes. I quit classes and made an appointment with the trainer and he spent more time BSing with his buddies than me. Plus it was small and crowded all the time. Last year I quit my gym bought a spinning bike and would do weights/spinning and started looking around for a new gym. I lost 47 pounds doing it myself at home. I found a new gym that's $10 more per month but it's bigger better and the staff is friendlier.
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    I lost all of my weight without ever going to the gym. I did mostly Jillian Michaels DVDs or Fitness Blender videos combined with running outside. I actually go to the gym now because I enjoy swimming laps and going to group exercise classes and I can't really do that stuff at home. :) But yeah, there's no reason to drag yourself to the gym if you hate it. Those select tech weights are awesome, btw. Sadly nobody wanted to buy them for me this past Christmas! boo
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Trying going at a completely different time.

    I HATE the gym between 430-:730- I refuse to work out at those times- it's insufferable. I'm miserable.

    But after 730? it's great- it's quiet- there are only the 'regulars' there. I'm all about it.

    But working out doesn't have to be miserable- some things you do because you have to- but the over all feeling shouldn't be awful miserable.

    There are so many ways to work out- that it's just silly to force yourself to do something you hate.
  • Mrsallypants
    Mrsallypants Posts: 887 Member
    Yeah when it gets crowded my workout can last twice as long waiting for equipment to become available.

    A 24 hour gym might be the solution to avoid crowds. Go on off days early or late.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,998 Member
    Well there's always Planet Fitness.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQfmpXsLV_4

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buC-kqFGTbo

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqCaxMU2P98

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVa9kA5qg3s

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Greytfish
    Greytfish Posts: 810
    It doesn't sound like you hate the gym, but rather that you don't feel good about your body and being in front of the people there. There's not reason you need a gym (or that particular gym - and the suggestion for a crossfit or martial arts gym is an excellent one if you'd like a more welcoming environment with a community feel), but you should let go of the negative feelings. Don't go if it doesn't interest you, but don't not go because you're ashamed. Everyone's on a journey, and everyone's journey is their own.
  • FloridaMichael
    FloridaMichael Posts: 17
    greyfish pretty much nailed what i was going to say.
    It sounds a lot like you have some self appearance issues going on over there.
    The moment you can let go of caring what everyone else looks like, or what everyone else is doing in the gym (unless you are trying to learn some new routines), the faster the track to you being able to enjoy the gym once again.

    Just remember, ur gym time is about u, not anyone else.
  • sjp_511
    sjp_511 Posts: 476 Member
    I don't hate the gym. I kinda miss it. When my husband and I moved last fall we cancelled our gym memberships. We decided instead of finding a gym near our new home we would invest in equipment. We plan to start a family soon and want the convenience of being able to work out at home. I miss spinning classes and he misses swimming. But I am definitely working out more frequently now that I have a bit of a gym in my basement.

    Edited because typing on a phone is hard
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    The gym is just a building.

    You could getting unbelievably strong in your own back yard with no equipment or minimal equipment or homemade equipment or a full rack/bar/bench combo. Or you could go to a gym and use their equipment. Whatever. It's of no consequence in the long run.

    Here's what you do:

    First you need to ask what your goals are. Then you need an honest look at where you are now. Then you need to intelligently work your way from where you are now to where you want to be using the tools that are effective for the task and the techniques suitable for those tools.

    Gyms are relevant/irrelevant to what I have said above. In other words: there is no spoon...
  • getshredded2012
    getshredded2012 Posts: 26 Member
    I can't relate at all. Recently joined an LA Fitness that is much larger and more crowded than my other smaller Anytime Fitness and I couldn't be happier. Having more people around who are also busting their *kitten* is motivating as hell, and it's awesome that it's full of people hitting the free weights and machines and not just cardio. I find myself pushing myself harder at the new gym, plus it helps that all the equipment is brand new. I show up, throw on my headphones to blast some tunes, and get busy. I look forward to going every day.

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