To gym or not to gym

Skmellyg · January 2017

I have joined gyms in the past. I have gone but then they are either inconvenient to go to (I live out in the country), extra cost for baby sitting, or just don't want to go. I love outside walking/jogging/running. I feel it is more effective. I also have some work out at home DVDs. I can't seem to motivate myself to do any of my outside walking or home DVDs recently and thought of joining the gym because now it is on my way home from work, free baby sitting, they also have a pool. Only $20 a month now. But I am afraid I will get burnt out on it and plus the gym on the way home does not have a lot of options for classes that I would want to participate. So what are the pros of a gym membership versus doing everything at home. I need some insight from others. Thank you in advance! v

ew_david · January 2017

The following has been my experience when it comes to gyms:

I've almost always belonged to one, but had loads of excuses for not going regularly. I worked off shifts, I had little kids who acted up in or didn't like the daycare, I was a walking zombie most of the time, and I had no specific fitness goals. The last one was probably the biggest deterrent since I would go in and not have a clue where to start. I spun my wheels like that for years.

It wasn't til I got on an actual fitness program that my gym time became more regular and less of a chore. I looked forward to going because I had a plan and goals to achieve with every workout. There was no guesswork. The issue became waiting for the limited equipment while other members used it. I'm busy and just want to get in, do my work, and leave. It was then that I decided it would be worth it to piece together a home gym so I could do my workouts at home and I did just that. I work out mostly at home. I say mostly because I do belong to my office fitness center, but really only use that to get my steps in or do light cardio on my lunch hour.

Gracious_Plum · January 2017

I was always against gyms - saw them as a waste of money as I knew I wouldn't go after so long. (Been there, done that!) Last year I started swimming 2x a week (pay as you go) and really enjoyed it, but wanted to switch it up a bit after a while and decided to get a full gym membership to make it cheaper in the long run. I now love going to the gym and look forward to going! I had to miss it for a month or so while I recovered from surgery and I went off track a bit (body fat % went right up!) But now that I can work out again I feel motivated to eat right and really make an effort. You need to find something you enjoy and will look forward to doing.

Maybe if you give yourself a goal, it may motivate you to get into it more - I am considering doing Tough Mudder in July, so that's my aim right now...

pondee629 · January 2017

Skmellyg wrote: »

I have joined gyms in the past. I have gone but then they are either inconvenient to go to (I live out in the country), extra cost for baby sitting, or just don't want to go. I love outside walking/jogging/running. I feel it is more effective. I also have some work out at home DVDs. I can't seem to motivate myself to do any of my outside walking or home DVDs recently and thought of joining the gym because now it is on my way home from work, free baby sitting, they also have a pool. Only $20 a month now. But I am afraid I will get burnt out on it and plus the gym on the way home does not have a lot of options for classes that I would want to participate. So what are the pros of a gym membership versus doing everything at home. I need some insight from others. Thank you in advance! v

Seems like you just need to decide what it is you want to do and do it. If you want to work out/walk from home, do it. If you want to join and go to a gym, do it. The location of the work out is really not relevant. Your determination to do the work out is.

not_a_runner · January 2017

I also live in the country, pretty far from my gym. And a lot of days I find myself thinking it'd be much easier to stay home and sit on the couch instead. To me this comes down to personal commitment. I'm committed to my current workout routine, and I need a gym to do them. So 99% of the time I make myself go, and end up having a decent workout anyway. Physically going somewhere makes me feel like I am there for a purpose. I enjoy seeing other people who also go regularly, this is motivating for me. My gym also offers free child care for up to 1 hr 15 min.
That being said, I have worked out at home and had a lot of success losing weight and getting in better shape. You can definitely do it from home.

iofred · January 2017

You enjoy the outdoor stuff .. if that is sufficient for you, continue doing that. If you want a new challenge then join

thelittlewoman_2000 · January 2017

I live in the country, too. We can have a brisk run in fresh air when otherwise we are waiting for an available treadmill at the gym. We can pop-in a favorite workout DVD and not worry about taking someone else's "spot" in the cardio class. We can change into training gear without a stranger catching a glance. Most importantly, we know our shower is clean and we won't catch a foot fungus. When travelling, I do enjoy buying a day pass at a great facility like Planet Fitness.

ndj1979 · January 2017

what are your goals OP?

if you just want to move more and lose some weight, then skip the gym and do what you enjoy.

if you have more advanced body comp goals and want to be lean and strong, then look into joining the gym and get on some kind of structured lifting regimen.

cwolfman13 · January 2017

Skmellyg wrote: »

I have joined gyms in the past. I have gone but then they are either inconvenient to go to (I live out in the country), extra cost for baby sitting, or just don't want to go. I love outside walking/jogging/running. I feel it is more effective. I also have some work out at home DVDs. I can't seem to motivate myself to do any of my outside walking or home DVDs recently and thought of joining the gym because now it is on my way home from work, free baby sitting, they also have a pool. Only $20 a month now. But I am afraid I will get burnt out on it and plus the gym on the way home does not have a lot of options for classes that I would want to participate. So what are the pros of a gym membership versus doing everything at home. I need some insight from others. Thank you in advance! v

It depends on what you want to do...

I go to the gym to lift...it is the only reason I go to a gym. I do not have the space in my home for a home gym that would include all of the equipment I have access to at my gym so it's very much worth it. Otherwise, I primarily road cycle save for winter when I mostly have my bike on my indoor trainer.

everher · January 2017

I think you just need to pick one or the other (working out at home or working out at the gym) and be dedicated to it.

I work out at the gym, but I have worked out at home before. For me, I just couldn't be consistent working out at home. Something would always distract me, I would always mean to do it but wouldn't, and there would just be a million excuses.

I have a set time that I go to the gym and set days I go and I treat it just like work. I go regardless of whether I want to or not no excuses.

DavidRocketts · January 2017

The most important thing about any exercise regime is that you enjoy it. If you don't, then it won't last. 95%+ of my cardio comes from walking with a bit of jogging here and there. I go to the gym for 45 minutes 3 times a week, mostly for the weights, strength/muscle development. Cardio alone can sometimes affect the muscles, so strength training is a useful part of any fitness programme - you could do it at home. I like the social side of regular gym attendance - you soon get to know the regulars who are serious about fitness... good luck
David

johnnylloyd0618 · January 2017

I live out in the country...the gym won't work, walking won't work if ya don't have the discipline...Both will work just fine if ya have the discipline. You have to be your driving force. I love running, biking ect. but it does get boring. I break it up with simple TRX straps in my garage. I can play the music I want or watch tv if I want. My 3 and 5 year old now join me doing routines. (before anyone scolds me, they do no more than some jumping jacks and maybe walk on the treadmill). Almost anything will get boring, break it up. Sit down, make a two week schedule. In week two, add a week but mix it up, add some exercises you don't typically do. For ME, the more "structured" I am, the better I seem to stay on track. I check my schedule before bed to see what the next challenge will be and see when I have to get up to do it! Good luck. Just remember, some people need to have others around for motivation, if that's you, join the gym. Other people focus better by themselves, if that's you, get ta running! Either way, make it fun

dutchandkiwi · January 2017

I don't think the issue is the gym, it is the motivation.
However my two cents. I did not join a gym at first. For me it was mostly a case of aversion and loving the things I already did. I got to a stage where i felt I wanted to feel more challenged and I started to investigate.
What I had in common with you was that I looked at the options that would fit my lifestyle more than anything else.

I found two - one was in many ways perfect. Easy access, close to home and free weights (what I really wanted) and to top it off cheap as it was part of a chain. The second was similar distance, easy access, but I as hesitant because they did not have the free weights, just weights machines also more expensive, privately owned.
I visited both; I chose the second one, despite that they did not have what I wanted, despite them being more expensive. Why? They were welcoming, friendly and very much interested as to why I wanted to join and gave me good pointers as to where to start. The other was fine and I would have been OK there, but it just felt cold and uninviting.

I have not regretting joining a gym where I feel at home. I joined on a three months trial, that was nearly a year ago I am investing in free weights at home and I do machines and cardio there. I have found it to be a great place where I feel very much at home.
So I would suggest to visit the gym, make sure you talk to the people and listen to how you feel. If you want to join, join for a few weeks (maybe 3 months) then you can decide. It may well be that you are suffering a winter motivation dip. A gym may help then because other people are there too.

jdhcm2006 · January 2017

It depends on why you go to the gym. For me it's worth it. I go to lift, I can't afford the equipment I need, nor do I have the room in my apartment for it. When I didn't lift, I never went to the gym. Ever. But I did go to studios, to do pole dance, spin class, and yoga. I also did a lot of Beachbody workouts, like Insanity, P90X & X3, T25, and Insanity Max 30. And I was able to get everything that I wanted to do then without a gym membership. If I didn't want to lift, I wouldn't belong to a gym.

If you can get a workout in that helps you complete your goals without going to a gym, then you do not need to join a gym. If you need the gym to complete your goals, then join one.

Figure out what your goal is and plan accordingly. Do you want to lift? Do you want cardio based workouts? Do you want strength training (which can be done without a gym)? What do you want to achieve?

My goals are to get stronger, get better at pole dance, and recomp. Lifting fit the bill to help me accomplish all 3 of those goals, so I joined a gym.

143tobe · January 2017

I agree that you would need to have some pretty specific and clear fitness goals and workout plan. This past year I ran, and did home workout dvds 6 days a week. I loved my program but towards the end of the year I was having injuries and issues which nearly led me to having surgery. Well, I had to put my running on hold, and had lost all motivation to do my DVDs since I really only did them to support my running habit. I found a gym which was offering a 6 week trial membership for $60 which was actually really amazing for what they offered. I hit the gym...HARD. I took pretty much every class they offered and met with a trainer about once a week to show me the fitness equipment they had to offer (inclusive). Anyway, at the end of the 6 weeks, actually by week 4, I had gotten into a really good routine, knew which classes and activities and instructors I did and didn't like, and also made the decision that signing up for a full membership would serve me well. Right now I'm not lifting, but I'm taking one of those lifting classes which I am loving and it's giving me an actual butt. Down the road I will start lifting, lifting, so if that is in your future, a gym makes total sense. So my advice, ask if they have a 4, 6 or 8 week trial membership you can do to see if you will be able to make going to the gym a part of your weekly routine. $20 is a steal btw. My monthly membership is a painful $65 but because I will be paying so much, it just makes me more determined to really stick to my schedule, and to really utilize all their services down the road as my abilities progress. Good luck! Oh...and I have spent a crapload on gym memberships in the past where I went for a while...and then just didn't, so I totally get where you're coming from.

TR0berts · January 2017

As others have mentioned: first, define your goal(s). What do you want to achieve? After that, research how to achieve those goals. You'll probably find that there are multiple options. Pick one that looks like you'd want to do it and have the capabilities (whether it's via gym equipment, home equipment, running, etc). Do it.

To gym or not to gym

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