Tired of gym fees?

collectingblues wrote: »

Nope, not really -- I actually happily work a few side jobs to cover these expenses.

Like, I prefer running outside, but I need pool access, and if it's an 86-degree heat index, or if it's raining, I want to run inside. So there's the gym membership.

My gym doesn't offer barre, and there's a studio about 20 minutes from my house with fantastic instructors. And I feel *good* about my body in barre class, which is priceless. So there's that studio membership.

I also hate my gym's spin classes. The bikes don't have clips, and the schedule doesn't work with my schedule. So there's Cyclebar.

I figure I don't go to restaurants often, and my other hobbies aren't all that expensive. I'll work the extra jobs to keep these things in my budget that make me feel good about the useful things my body can do.

You sound like me. I have my Anytime Fitness membership, which is only $20/month. I use that a lot, its very convenient, but right now they don't have any live classes, so I have a 9Rounds membership, which I use a lot. Not really a classes, since you can start your workout at anything. However there are other people in there and trainers helping you out. Then I also joined another gym for the pool, I could drop Anytime, but the gym with the pool is crowded in the free weight area and I just don't like that part. I look at as an investment in my health.

evilpoptart63 wrote: »

I stopped going to the gym and invested in a home gym 2 years ago. My membership was only $35/month and its going to take years to break even on that with the amount of money I have put into equipment. It was very much worth it for me because I have kids and I love being able to work out when I want, not just when I can find someone to watch them.

Same, I bought the equipment I actually use for at home and have no regrets. Although it will take me only 8 months to break even on the investment. I was paying $96.00/mo. and that was the cheapest in town.

Plus DH wanted to come with me but is self-conscious working out around other people and wouldn't go if I wasn't with him.

At home I have a treadmill, elliptical, Pilates machine and some hand weights. Each morning I do about 45 minutes of stretching and yoga, then go do cardio for 60-90.minutes and use the weights a few times per week. I swim 2-3 miles daily during the summer months when the high school pool is open to the public and stop the dedicated walking.
I love having the availability at home but wanted to mix it up a bit and recently joined a Jazzercise class at $40 per month and enjoy the group setting.
Now I'm thinking about checking out our 2 local gyms to see what classes and when they are offered.

I hate paying for the gym as well but honestly even it if were free I probably wouldn't go LOL I enjoy work out videos and now there are so many on YouTube and other place for free there is no reason to leave my basement. I have invested in weights and mats etc. I also enjoy going for walks with my friends at the trail in the park...
My husband does not go to the gym either, he does 100% body weight strength training and has really bulked up his chest and arms just from push ups and the pull up bar he bought that hangs in the door frame...
I think it's a personal preference though...

I think it's great that so many people have found what works for them.

I slowly added things and equipment to my workout space at home. I thought I would eventually get a gym membership, but before I knew it I had a room filled with everything I need to get in a great workout and was very happy with my setup. I'm the only one that uses my things, I can blast whatever music I want and I have a lot of variety. Plus I'm always adding new toys and equipment.

I sometimes take classes like pole fitness or barre, but I enjoy and have seen awesome results working out at home/outside whenever I can.

I'm getting ready to get in a good workout on my Pilates Reformer machine which is a 1 minute commute. I love it!

kgeyser wrote: »

tinkerbellang83 wrote: »

I quit the gym last year, cost and enjoyment being my main motivators, gym was always busy, waiting around for equipment, etc. I have a nice little set up at home now, work through Youtube videos (HASFIT, BodyCoach, etc), I run outside and walk to/from work for my cardio and do some yoga before bed.

It has Pros and Cons,

• I don't have all the equipment I would have at the gym available, but I have enough to get a good workout. I can add things as I go.
• I have the luxury of a big space in my living room, if I move at any point I might have to reconsider.
• I don't have to motivate myself to go back out on an evening it's all there at home.
• Now that I have been doing this for over a year, it's now cost effective, I initially invested about £200 in weights, mats, resistance bands, etc, I add the odd piece of equipment now and again, like some extra weight plates, but that is maybe £30 1-2 times per year compared to the £35 per month I was paying for the gym and rarely using it.

Do you have any youtube recommendations for weights? I'm a runner, so cardio is covered, but I just find myself having no motivation with weights lately. I need something to inspire me to want to do those workouts again.

As a runner, kicking someone's *kitten* on an uphill (when they are usually a much faster runner) is always pretty good inspiration to keep up those deadlifts.

Hate the fees, but really like the gym. But since their place would suck if there were no employees, upkeep, equipment and such, I suppose paying fees is a part of life, lol. It's much easier to stay motivated and actually work if I have a specific place to do it, and no way I could afford or have space for more than the really cheap rower I have nat home.
I've been to a few places, but the one I go to now is really nice. MUCH nicer tbam any others I've deakt with, for the price I(as ling as you wait fora good salle, lol). Indoor/outdoor pools, massage vhaies, hot tub, therapy pool, 30 min circuit, and seperate areas for power users and a "no judment" area, (although I have never seen anyone give attitude) another room for free weights, another for "core" work, a couple areas for stretvhing and calithenics, tons of classes and massage chairs, tv's and wifi for $20 a month. And since there are a ton of other gyms in our area, they recently switched to no contract and have always been no hassle when you need to quit (which I had to do for a while when I changed jobs and couldn't afford luxeries), and stopped charging extra for "vip" status for towels, massage, and various other add-ons.
And it's clean and pleasant!

For me it was a matter of prioritizing. Spending money on a gym membership now has a higher priority than the extra cable tv packages and ording pizza frequently. Not spending any more money a month, just spending it healthier.

I could never give up my gyms! There is no way I could get the same experience at home or the variety of equipment. I currently rotate between two. One for boot camp style classes and boxing and one for strictly weightlifting. The small group classes are a fraction of what I would pay for personal training. And I love the friendships I have made.

Nope. I love going to the gym. It's not only working out for me, it's my mental escape. I can't be interrupted at the gym to be told someone can't find socks.
But I also go to the gym very early in the morning when it's not crowded. I would hate it if I went at 6pm when it's super crowded and a meat market

I love working out at home! I have a gym membership I've been meaning to cancel. The gym is good for when I'm traveling since I can go to any branch but I definitely prefer my Beachbody on Demand. So many workouts to choose from and when I'm done, I'm already home!

All depends on the individual. Wife refuses to work out unless it's in a gym. I workout at home, unless I'm with a PT. Whatever works.