Is a gym necessary?

Answer: Nope.

Additional info: You will become a mush of skin and no tone.

we use the EA Sports Fit Active 2 here and it does both Cardio and Strength training in it.

For me yes! I wouldn't workout anywhere near as much if I didn't have my gym membership. I try to do stuff at home but I always find excuses not to, plus I do like the machines!

deleted double post.

No, but you should strength train at home so that you look how you want because I'm sure you don't want to look anorexic. As was said EA Sports Active 2 has both and I really like doing though though my version of easy and it's version of easy are not the same. I personally use home and gym I like the machines at the gym and the freedom to do what's fun at hom.

While I agree that the OP probably doesn't want to be thin with relatively low muscle tone ("skinny fat" if you will), it takes a lot more than eating healthy and cardio to look anorexic.

It is possible to do strength training at home, with minimal or no equipment. You can find lots of body-weight exercises online and just use those.

it really depends on you, because right now I am working out at home but plan to get a gym membership soon. I know that once I look good enough for me, I will stop working out completely and I know if I pay ahead of time for a gym membership, I will use it and maintain a healthy lifestyle by working out at least twice a week or so.

is it necessary? no. however, for me, i can make more excuses to not work out at home. i look like an idiot if i walk into the gym, spend 5 minutes doing something and leave!

I think that a gym is certainly beneficial as it makes it easier/more accessible to engage in a variety of helpful exercises. If you are able to adequately do cardio exercises on your own without a gym, that's very helpful. But as people have mentioned, where you are missing out is on strength training, which has very many benefits.

I don't know if the gym is worth it for you. I'm fortunate enough to have a gym in the condo where I live, so I haven't had to weigh the cost versus the benefit. However, if you're skeptical about the cost, I would recommend looking up various strength workouts you can do on your own without a gym. What comes quickly to mind is squats and lunges, both of which can be done with some variation to work slightly different muscle groups and at different intensities. Pushups and situps (and other abdominal work) can be completed without a gym. Dumbbells can be purchased to complete some arm exercises (as well as be used in the squats/lunges). Curls, flies, overhead presses, and others can be done.

You won't get the kind of workout that you would want if, say, you were a serious athlete. But personally, I think that if you can motivate yourself to work out on your own, you can get a gym-quality workout at home with some dumbbells and possibly a workout video. Jillian Michael's videos are surprisingly difficult and will provide even in-shape people with a challenge.

Good luck. Sorry my post droned for a bit. Bottom line, IMO, is that if you can motivate yourself to workout on your own, you can get a gym-quality or near gym-quality workout with a few dumbbells and a continued dedication to cardio.

Nope.

Bodyrock.tv - it's free/ online, can be done at home, and body-weight only (equipment is optional). I prefer Zuzana's old routines to the new stuff, but they currently have a 30-day challenge going on with some new hosts.

Who thinks that going to a gym will speed up the amount of weight loss? I might actually be able to afford it soon but I want to be sure its worth the money. If anyone can give me some insight it would be great. I already run, well run/walk:happy: . But I think I'm missing out on stregth training and I might be really losing out by not being able to do that.

Yes, you are missing out on LOTS. It' totally possible to do it at home, but you'll meet people IRL that can help and support you PLUS, since you are paying for it, you'll be more apt to use it often.

The gym is worth it for me... I have plenty of workout videos.. A treadmill etc at home that I will use but when I'm home I may not workout as hard .. As long or even at all .. Being at a gym makes me do what I need to do. in addition gyms have whats called a scholarship.. If you can't afford it try to about the scholarship ..you get to use the same gym if you' re paying $20 or $60

Strength training is super beneficial for weight loss and general health, and it's really fun imo. You can do cardio anywhere with little to no equipment, but the best strength training (imo) requires barbells and dumbbells.

For weight loss you can not work out a single day and lose all the weight, it's all down to eating less, but regular exercise is good for your cardiovascular health, creates a caloric deficit, and increases your metabolism (strength training especially).

Also, I wouldn't consider things like 30 day shred with 3lb weights strength training... but maybe I'm being elitist. I'm pretty sure the high rep low weight deems it another type of cardio. You'd do better to lift heavy weights, but a lot of people aren't into that I guess.

Necessary? Absolutely not. Available to you as a tool? Yes!

Tons of people lose weight without joining gyms. You should try it out and see if you like it. A lot of gyms have promotional things where you can work out at least one time to get a feel for the place. If you like and think you'll go, get a membership. If you'd be better suited working out in a different environment that's cool too. It's all about what's right for you. Just don't sign up for a gym membership that you won't really use because you shouldn't waste your money.

Personally, I love my gym. I work out there as often as possible.

You don't need to go to a gym. I didn't. And I still don't. Just invest in a set of free weights. You'd be surprised how many people on craigslist are desperate to offload their weights they thought they were going to use ... benches.. bars.