Should I join a gym?

Whatever gets you up and moving and keeps you interested. I work out from home and have built up my home gym starting with only a few kettle bells, to having my own squat rack and bench press. But some people are more motivated being around others at the gym who are driven. Whatever works!!

I am a Gold's member and of all the gyms I have belonged to I like them best. They have a variety of classes and they offer a Fit Test which gives you a great picture of your fitness, so you know what to work on. The staff is all friendly and helpful, and supportive of people who aren't already super fit. If you are a gym newbie and can afford the extra cost, I highly recommend small group training. This is a variety of fitness classes given by trainers with a limit of 9 or so in each class so the trainer can help you modify or make sure you are doing the exercise correctly. In good weather I also bike, hike, kayak and swim, but a gym added to this gives me NO excuses.

Personally I do better if I go to a place specifically engineered for exercise, but that's just me. If you think you will use the gym and going to a gym will fit into your lifestyle, then you should join. The variety of equipment, which most of us would not be able to replicate and possibly fitness classes, is a plus. For me, exercising at home isn't an option because as soon as I start exercising my dogs and cats think it's playtime or I will see dustballs under the couch (that must be taken care of right away!) or I will slack off.

I agree with the others. You have to do what you like. I go to 4u fitness. It's really fun.

I joined the YMCA recently, they have the Les Mills Body combat and body pump classes. I loved it. Up to that point I had lost 35 pounds on my own at home on a recumbent bike. I like the group workouts and spin class.