Gym vs. Working out at home

millypoo128
millypoo128 Posts: 8
in Fitness and Exercise
Do you belong to a gym or have your own fitness routine you do at home?

I've done it all and trying to figure out if I should join a gym again (as the weather is getting colder and it's going to be more difficult to workout outside). I have DVDs, weights, bands, etc at my house but it's difficult at times to motivate myself to work out at. Just wanted to see what other people do.
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Replies

  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    I work out at home. Saves me time & money.
  • ItsJordanNicole
    ItsJordanNicole Posts: 110 Member
    I work out at the gym. The couch is too close at home!
  • fruitsalad15
    fruitsalad15 Posts: 102 Member
    I have a gym membership but do most of my workouts at home, there is no annoying drive to and from the gym, waiting for equipment, sharing changing rooms etc! I much prefer working out at home because you can get changed and do it, within an hour or 90 minutes max (for me!) I would say you should do what works for you - I just can't motivate myself to go out to the gym!

    Good luck!
  • StraubreyR
    StraubreyR Posts: 631 Member
    I work out at home, or preferably outdoors. If the weather is really THAT bad, I wouldn't drive to the gym anyway.
  • SpockAdventures
    SpockAdventures Posts: 103 Member
    I, too, work out at home. I have a treadmill that we got for free by trading with someone on Craigslist for our Kinect! Anyway, I have also had issues in the past getting motivated to exercise at home, but this summer I found myself having one of these days and accidentally fell on the best motivational phrase I use all the time....There's no magic motivational trick, just remember:

    Just put the *kitten*' sneakers on!

    :smiley:
  • fitfabforties
    fitfabforties Posts: 370 Member
    I work out at home.....I have a set of Select Tech dumbbells, DVDs and that's what I use....I can't afford a gym membership and I live in an apartment so I don't have room for anything more than the dumbbells....I also have a mountain bike and I try to walk lots too...
  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    edited October 2014
    millypoo128 wrote: »
    Do you belong to a gym or have your own fitness routine you do at home?

    I've done it all and trying to figure out if I should join a gym again (as the weather is getting colder and it's going to be more difficult to workout outside). I have DVDs, weights, bands, etc at my house but it's difficult at times to motivate myself to work out at. Just wanted to see what other people do.
    I do both and see value in each.
    HOME WORKOUT
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    GYM WORKOUT
    viyvc1t3htwd.png



  • taxreliever8
    taxreliever8 Posts: 11 Member
    I've done both and see value in both, but for me, the home workouts allow me to be more consistent as I can squeeze in, even a short workout, faster than it takes me to drive to and from a gym.

    Not to mention the money savings, already mentioned.
  • djprice_69
    djprice_69 Posts: 115 Member
    I don't like spending the $ on a gym membership. Over the last few years I've spent about $800 on misc gym equipment, the most expensive purchase being $400 for a set of Ironmaster dumbbells. However, I have enough equipment at home to do most WODs if that's your thing, or just about any other workout you can think of. Bench, squat rack, C2 rower, dumbbell set, several barbells, several hundred pounds of plates, 3/4" rubber flooring, Ironmaster dumbbells that go up to 90lbs, and some more that I just can't remember. $800 might sound like a lot, but at $50/mo for a gym membership over a few years $800 doesn't sound too bad. Not to mention I now have this equipment for life, or I could choose to sell it and re-coup at least 75 cents on the dollar pretty easily. Just my two cents!
  • dianesheart88
    dianesheart88 Posts: 111 Member
    Definitely the gym. At home it's too easy not to do it or not to work out hard. At the gym I know I am there for a purpose and I make real good use of that time. I feel much better after I work out at the gym than I ever did with a at home workout.
  • PokeyBug
    PokeyBug Posts: 482 Member
    I've done both, and, while I prefer the gym, I work out at home by necessity. We sold my car and dropped my gym membership to save money when I chose to become a SAHM, so I don't have much of a choice. It took me a little time to get everything straight with working out, homeschooling, and all the additional housework from having 2 active kids in the house all day long. When I finally decided to schedule ALL my time, including workouts at 3:30 pm, things just kind of clicked in place.
  • shortntall1
    shortntall1 Posts: 333 Member
    I bought a gym membership today at the local college..getting too nippy outside for me
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    Being at a gym generally means getting more "bang for your buck" in terms of time spent exercising vs. calories burned/muscles worked, mainly due to what you can do with the sheer amount of equipment you will have access to. It means being able to get more actual "work" done with far fewer movements. When working out at home with nothing more than a relatively small selection of dumbbells, you have to incorporate a larger variety of movements and experiment with more awkward exercise progressions to be able to get the same quality of workout with the equipment you have at hand. The lack of social atmosphere can be a blessing for many though. To get the best of both worlds it's best to start looking into getting some serious equipment at home.
  • millypoo128
    millypoo128 Posts: 8
    Thanks for everyone's input! I see the value in both just need to see what will work best for me.
  • Maquillage_
    Maquillage_ Posts: 194 Member
    I work out at home. I've been a member of the gym so many times before, and it was great for the first month, and then I'd stop going. The gym wasn't close to me so I had to get a bus, and it was hard paying for a gym membership, paying for busfare, and when I felt demotivated there was no way I was dragging myself out of bed to make a journey for the gym! So every time I joined it was a huge waste of money for me. If I'm feeling lazy I'm 100 times more likely to haul myself downstairs and force myself to work out than to try haul myself to a gym! Plus working out at home is free, and I don't like any of the gym machines that much. I bought yoga mats, dumbbells, aerobic step, and stationary bike for at home and I'm doing well so far :)
  • blabrecque_xo
    blabrecque_xo Posts: 65 Member
    I run a lot outdoors when the weather is nice, but for the most part I work out at the gym.
  • Philp0718
    Philp0718 Posts: 136 Member
    edited October 2014
    I used to go to the gym every morning, but with my new work schedule, the only time I can make it there is around 6:00-7:00pm when its crazy busy, and I hate it, so I cancelled my membership and workout at home. I made myself a schedule, and do a workout 30-60min everyday as soon as I get home after work, before I make dinner. Its been working great!! -- down 20lbs and saving money! :smile:
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  • GoingSlightlyMad
    GoingSlightlyMad Posts: 190 Member
    Why not both? lol.
    I go to the gym during the week, and during the weekends I usually combine a small routine of lifting weights with my stationary bike to burn off some calories at home ;)
  • lnxjenn
    lnxjenn Posts: 64 Member
    I've done both. I liked going to the Gym because of the fewer distractions. Like right now, my home workout space is cluttered with books and stuff I am trying to repack and sort through. Both locations have their benefits. But At least at home, you have control over television observation (if you watch TV while on machine or DVD workouts, etc). And some gyms have those VERY LOUD radio/music going on...

    My previous gym membership I came to the conclusion I really couldn't afford it. Plus they carried hours that sometimes conflicted with when I could go. It is tied to a school, so the school has control over when it was open and operating. (and access to the swimming pool).

    I really prefer being outside, going for walks or hikes!

    I just say, weigh your own options and views. You'll find what works for you!
  • Rmntrose
    Rmntrose Posts: 23 Member
    When I was getting prepared to join the Navy, my recruiter gave me a routine to do at home ,one or two times a day. It took about 30 minutes and it worked. He also had me run a mile and a half every other day. So during that time (two months) I lost 16 pounds by eating what he told me to eat and doing those routines. Now I have a gym membership because my son also goes to a class there so while I'm waiting I work out. So there really is a way either way. You just do what is best for you.
  • Rmntrose
    Rmntrose Posts: 23 Member
    PokeyBug wrote: »
    I've done both, and, while I prefer the gym, I work out at home by necessity. We sold my car and dropped my gym membership to save money when I chose to become a SAHM, so I don't have much of a choice. It took me a little time to get everything straight with working out, homeschooling, and all the additional housework from having 2 active kids in the house all day long. When I finally decided to schedule ALL my time, including workouts at 3:30 pm, things just kind of clicked in place.


    When I was homeschooling my kids, my work out time became gym class for all lol
  • MsHarryWinston
    MsHarryWinston Posts: 1,027 Member
    I work out at home. I would love to go back to kickboxing at the dedicated women's only kickboxing place but it's such a pain in my *ss to get there and back on the bus!
  • teagirlmedium
    teagirlmedium Posts: 679 Member
    I work out at home because of how much gym's cost. There are a lot of options machine wise at the gym, but I can do the free weight exercises at home for a lot less money. I can get on base with my dad if I want to go to the gym. If you want to work out, but have a hard time motivating yourself to work out at home then you should probably get a gym membership.
  • jbee27
    jbee27 Posts: 356 Member
    Gym (or outside). I live in a small apartment, so I don't have a lot of space, and I try to keep my noise levels down to be a courteous neighbor.

  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    millypoo128 wrote: »
    Do you belong to a gym or have your own fitness routine you do at home?

    I've done it all and trying to figure out if I should join a gym again (as the weather is getting colder and it's going to be more difficult to workout outside). I have DVDs, weights, bands, etc at my house but it's difficult at times to motivate myself to work out at. Just wanted to see what other people do.
    I work out at the gym, it would be cost prohibitive for me to work out my way at home. The barbell alone is as expensive as my year's dues at the gym. The plates I need, another couple years. The deadlift trap bar and platform, another year. Squat rack, another year and a half or so. The pool 25 yard pool would probably be another 30 years. Then we're talking the rest of the equipment, the dumbbells, medicine balls, bands, pads, etc.

    So, instead I go to the gym, use what I want and need, and I'm good to go. I also don't need to maintain anything.
  • NoelFigart1
    NoelFigart1 Posts: 1,276 Member
    Gym. I swim. No pool at home.
  • jrline
    jrline Posts: 2,353 Member
    at home and jogging the roads around my house works best for me

    29509743.png
  • SKME2013
    SKME2013 Posts: 704 Member
    I use to belong to a gym but now prefer to work out from home. No driving times, no waiting and distractions. I have an elliptical, spin bike, weights (dumbbells), elastic bands, gym balls...more than enough. There are great exercise videos online that keep me busy.
    Stef.
  • amcook4
    amcook4 Posts: 561 Member
    I do both, but mostly gym workouts. I get a lot more out of my gym sessions, not just the equipment, but the energy from others being there. Also I tend to get lazy, but I'm good with schedules. So if I go to the gym, I'm there and I can dedicate my time to myself. If I'm at home, I tend to just sort of give up and start cleaning, or basically anything but what I should be doing. Also I swim a couple times a week, and I don't have a pool, so that can only be done at the gym!

    As for when I stay at home, I'll focus more on body weights too, I like them because I can do them anywhere, say next month when I'm out of state for 5 days over Thanksgiving, I can still do strength training, without a gym. That is great knowledge to have. I also have an indoor bike, (bought brand new at the thrift store for $35!) that bike has been great to have on the really crappy weather days, I can get decent steady cardio workout without having to go outside. I used to do workout classes like Zumba on my wii/YouTube, but I'm not as into that anymore.

    Both have merits, and if finances change and I have to give up my gym membership, I can still survive, but until then, it is worth every penny for me! However, it is nice to have the alternative on those days I want something different.

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