Gym or No Gym?

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  • nrd2212
    nrd2212 Posts: 128
    I've lost 107 pounds without going to the gym. I use DVDs and I have a set of small handweights. Jillian's DVDs are all less than $10, 1 every month or two is way cheaper than a gym membership. But, I also don't like working out in front of people.
  • cersela
    cersela Posts: 160 Member
    Is it possible to lose weight without a gym membership? Totally. Push ups are free, you can do yoga anywhere with 6 feet of space, ect.

    That said, I love my gym. It's the place I go to workout without any distractions, and to have time that is 'just for me and just for fitness' it's great using an elliptical in an air conditioned room during the summer and to be indoors when it's raining. My gym emails me once a month to let me know how I did, there are several ladies that work the desk that say encouraging things when I go there. However, the hours are not great so it's easier to not get any exercise in for the day because I missed the gym hours. It's not that expensive, we spend about as much on a month gym membership that we do on one nice dinner out.

    Check if the gym you are considering has a month by month plan (sometimes it's slightly more expensive) and try them out for a while and see if it is something you'll use. Mostly you just have to go with what works for you.
  • SamAdams125
    SamAdams125 Posts: 54 Member
    I tried going to the gym but I hated it. I felt totally self conscious and always made excuses not to go (even when it was within walking distance!).

    I prefer to workout at home. I have just about every workout program from Beachbody (my favorites being Turbo Fire, Les Mills Pump, and ChaLEAN Extreme) and I have the bowflex adjustable weights and a bar with weighted plates that I use with Pump. Working out at home I have no excuses not to "go" and I can do my workout whenever I have the time, not on someone else's schedule. The DVDs help me push harder than I would on my own and I have an online support group on Facebook with a bunch of women who do the same workouts.

    So, it's really up to you and your personality! If you can invest in some weights or bands and some DVDs I'd say stay home. But if you're the social type who wants to workout with others, hit up a gym!
  • icreate
    icreate Posts: 60
    Before you go to gym, try if you can commit to jog or run regularly. This will cost you only a pair of rubber shoes. Then you will know if your ready to gym :)
  • mangopeachgum
    mangopeachgum Posts: 8
    I don't use a gym per say, but I have a treadmill and weight machine in my basement. Both are instrumental to losing weight for me.
  • mill1295
    mill1295 Posts: 120 Member
    The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. Have YOU joined a gym before? If so, what did you do? Did you go?

    Personally, I join a gym and go for a while then get bored. BUT, if I work out at home I stick with it. I use videos and workout at home by myself.
  • Melanie_RS
    Melanie_RS Posts: 417 Member
    Gym pros:

    variety of equipment and classes
    very nice in extreme weather conditions so there's no excuse for not working out
    you may be more likely to go if you are paying
    you will eventually make friends there


    Gym cons:

    you have to drive, walk, bike there and plan for it
    you are under their time/holiday constraints
    monthy dues
    other people

    pros far outweigh the cons. :D I'd sell my house before I gave up my gym membership. ;)
  • jnhu72
    jnhu72 Posts: 558 Member
    I have a weight bench, barbell and a bunch of weights and dumbbells (the ones you put the weights on)...total cost-$20. The only thing I paid for was the dumbbell bars at Wal-mart for $20. I asked my family to keep an eye out for exercise stuff and with in less then a week I ended up with the other stuff for free thanks to my dad finding them. So my suggestion is to watch yard sales, the newspaper, craigslist, etc. and build up a little home gym for yourself. I have paid very little for all the things I have because I have either found them or bought them on clearance. I've had a gym membership and didn't like it.
  • jjuice11
    jjuice11 Posts: 6 Member
    I belong to a gym and especially love the group classes my gym offers. For me the group classes make the workout fun, it goes by fast and I workout harder than I would on my own wandering around the gym!
  • pressmanm
    pressmanm Posts: 1
    I joined Planet Fitness and in a year, I went to the gym made five times! I thought I would use it in the winter months but even in the winter I preferred being outside to walk to run when the conditions would allow. In the summer, it didn't want to set foot in the place. All that being said, the PF gym near my home was not that inviting. It was very clean and friendly, but the design dark and not very inviting. I say, if you are going to start an exercise program get it doing at home first. Do whatever you have to do to get your body moving. Then when you are starting to feel physically energized, the decision to spend the money will be more clear.
  • gmpuggles
    gmpuggles Posts: 137 Member
    You definitely can lose the weight without the gym, but for me, I'd join one (and yeah, I'm a member of one). My reasoning for it is that once the weight starts to come off, it would be nice to get a nice toned body and personally, I think using the weights and machines can help with that. Oh, and you can also take part in whatever classes they offer too if that interests you as well.
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