Join a gym or work out at home?? Ideas?

euphrosyne_rose

Well-known member
For the past couple of months, I've been contemplating joining a gym and or/joining a pilates/yoga class. I bought a pilates DVD and I did enjoy it but haven't gotten back to it. I sort of flaked out on it after about a week. I'm not overweight but there are areas I'd like to tone and I'd like to get the exercise to feel more healthy along with eating a little better. I drink mostly unsweetened tea (I can't stand the syrupy tea we're known for here in the South) and I rarely drink a carbonated drink. Maybe one or two a month, if that. I don't eat horribly but I could eat a little better. My main issue is at night around 8:00 I'm ready to kill for a chocolate chip cookie or piece of cake. I seem to mostly crave sweets at night. My biggest meal is probably lunch and I eat out (pick something up on my lunch break and eat it at work) at least 3 times a week. The main focus for me would just be to tone areas like my tummy, butt, thighs and I'd like to tone my upper arms too.

The problem is that it might make things tight for me financially to join a gym and what I'd really like is a consultation with someone who could help me start out on what I'd need to do to tone the things I'm wanting to tone. I get Cooking Light magazine and every month they have at home exercises you can do and I've also gotten issues of Health magazine with exercises as well. I can get alot of the exercise "tools" I'd need at my nearby Target like weights and a balance ball and all that. I'm just curious to know if anyone here has a preference and maybe some comments on why you'd rather do one over the other aside from the money issue. Does anyone who works out at home find they have good results with it and what are you main essentials for working out at home? Just curious and looking for some feedback. I live in a small town outside of New Orleans that has alot of "well to do" families so the majority of people I know here are members of one of our 2 main gym/spa facilities. Any ideas, comments or suggestions are welcome!!
 

kymym92

Active member
I personally belong to a gym in my town. I have tried to work out at home but it usually doesn't work out for me personally. Unless, I have someone to work out with me. Knowing I paid for the gym makes me motivated to go. I want to get my moneys worth.
 

Simply Elegant

Well-known member
If you want to get your money's worth, I'd suggest becoming really committed to it. Make sure you have something that motivates you or something concrete to work on. It doesn't have to be weight related. It could be fitness related which will help with a weight goal anyway and I find fitness goal is easier to stick to. Second, see if you can get a guess pass that lets you try it out a few times. Most gyms have this option. I think it also depends on what kind of person you are. Some people don't like to drive there but sometimes people don't have motivation if others aren't around or if food is right around the corner like at home. There are also classes availble if you like social workouts or need someone right there to motivate you. Plus it helps to void plateaus because they switch up the moves every month, at least at the gym I go to.

As far as eating better, I'd find healthier ways to make your favourites. That way it's a lifestyle change instead of a diet. Counting calories works and if you save 100 or so you can have a cookie or a bit of cake for dessert if you want it. Also, lots of people have a distorted view of portions from seeing them bigger than they have to be so you'll know where you're starting from if you count. Some people like calorie cycling, having low days some days and high ones other days so in the end it averages out to a number that they can lose weight with. Good if you like to go out to eat or if you vary your workouts a lot.

As for exercises, spark people has lots of 10 minute videos plus short videos to show how strength training workouts are done. You could do those at home or at the gym.

If you want to work out at home, I'd get a set of weights, a jumping rope, stability ball, a balance trainer, kettle bells, resistance bands, DVDs and most important a good pair of running shoes and a good sports bra.

I work out at home and the gym mostly depending on time and the weather. I do longer workouts and am more focused at the gym. At home they tend to be tougher and I find time drags on a bit and my family can be distracting but I like not having to go out when it's really cold.
 

InspiredBlue

Well-known member
I used to belong to a gym, but I quit my membership last month, because I simply wasn't using it enough to justify the cost. Instead I have signed up a for a 10K race in August and will be following a 0-10K running program to train for that. (If only the damned snow would go away already!) I will probably add in some body weight strength exercises and yoga DVD's to make things more versatile.

I think that there are plenty of ways to get in shape without a gym membership, if that is too expensive for ones budget. The gym membership can often become an alibi. "Oh I don't work out enough, but at least I belong to a gym, so I can go whenever I want.." It's an illusion on living a healthy lifestyle.
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Also, remember that when it comes to dropping bodyfat, it's 90% about diet. If something is "flabby" (hate that word), no exercise in the world will fix it, unless you loose bodyfat in the process. So finding a good way of eating is key. Whether it's cutting calories or carbs or something else can differ a lot from person to person. Some find it completely impossible to not eat carbs, while I personally have never been able to do a "everything in moderation" approach.
 

astronaut

Well-known member
I think going to the gym is so much better than working out at home. I can't work out at home. I've tried using the workout DVDs and it's just awkward not to mention boring. You don't get the feedback and enthusiasm compared to a fitness class. I'm a lot more motivated and less distracted at the gym. It's also not lonely; I've made friends there who encourage me to go every day. It's so much easier to flake on an inanimate object like a DVD whereas your gym buddies will be interrogating you as to why you didn't show up yesterday and you best have a good excuse! That's a lot more pressure.
 

Shadowy Lady

Well-known member
I prefer working out at home. I was going to the gym for a year and found it super boring. Now, I work out at home with my hubby. We do cardio using his punching bags, exercise using dumbles and ball and follow an exercise DVD. I love much more than the gym and am more motivated to workout
 

krijsten

Well-known member
I've always tried to work out at home, but the gym is most def the place for me to be motivated. I recently joined a local gym.. 20.99$ a month with unlimited classes and tanning (although I dont tan!)

If you think you're going to use the monies worth, I'd say join a gym. If not, working at home might be better then you.

It really depends on how you are as a person I think!
 

purrtykitty

Well-known member
I do both. I use the gym for equipment (treadmill, elliptical, weights, etc.) and I use videos for when I want a little change.

Check with your gym to see if they have a cheaper rate. I once belonged to a gym that offered a cheaper rate, but you could only go during certain hours (i.e. the off-peak hours). Or try paying up front for a couple of years. DH and I did that and ended up getting a membership for both of us to any location, at any time for what I was paying for myself at my old gym. Yes, it's a big chunk of change at first, but it's a way to motivate yourself to get your money's worth.

Also, check with your employer to see if they do gym reimbursement (or perhaps suggest that they start doing so - healthy employees means less sick days and cheaper insurance rates!). DH's company does, so that makes our membership even more affordable.
 

Zephyra

Well-known member
Another idea, if it's at all an option, would be to join a club sport or exercise group of some kind. A lot of my friends do various martial arts, row with a rowing club, go to a yoga studio, jog with a group that meets out of the local running store, etc. Some of the groups are free or have lower monthly membership rates than the local gyms, and I've heard of free or reduced membership in exchange for service (like free dues for rowers who serve as coxswains for a certain number of classes per month). I don't know if you have anything like that out where you are; it sounds like your options are fairly limited.

Personally, I am not motivated to do much by myself at home, but if I know I have even a weekly commitment with a group or a friend I'm much more likely to work out on my own in between. I've even used google spreadsheets shared with friends in other states to work towards a fitness goal and it has been a good motivator when I'm deciding whether to throw in the towel early or finish my day's exercise goal. I think the hardest thing for me has been to remember that exercise is something that should be fun (not a chore), and then finding ways to make sure it stays that way.
 

slowdownbaby

Well-known member
I joined a gym before and it was uncomfortable for me. I wanted to lose some weight and toned up, and being in a place full of men working out and looking at your butt didn't help me. Plus, the personal trainers who didn't let me do what I wanted ahaha
I like doig my workout at home. There are great dvds out there which can help you to lose some inches. My FAVORITE is the exhale body scupt.. it helped me a lot. I walk a lot almost everyday, so my cardio is done out of the house. If I don't walk I will do some dance workout, like "so you think you can dance" dvds, they are awesome! If the dvds are starting to feel boring, I just play some robin thicke over it and get through it. If you have some equipment like a treadmill you can always watch your favorite shows while workout :)
It's all about commitment and really wanting to reach your goal.
 

PeachTwist

Well-known member
I personally, am a member of a gym in my city.

I chose the gym over working out at home because I know what I'm like. If I don't have to do it - I won't. I also feel like if I'm paying to be a member - I HAVE to go, otherwise I'm throwing my money out the window, which could be spent on things like MAC, haha.

I also think it's about watching what you eat. I don't calorie count, I don't miss out on my favourite foods, etc.

I've been a member of my gym for 2 weeks and I have lost 7lbs and I STILL indulge.

I spoke to a personal trainer today, who took my height and weight. I spoke to him about food.

He said to me, be healthy 5 days a week, Mon-Fri and splurge on the weekend. He said enjoy anything I want. Obviously within moderation (and he too, follows this). He also said to me to not cut things out completely (like bread) but he told me if I'm going to eat it (within moderation) to have it at breakfast or lunch. NOT for dinner or with dinner.

Also, eat 5-6x a day. Wake up, have breakfast. Have a drink sometime after, usually water (as you should have 2L a day!), then have a snack. 50g of nuts, or fruit, etc. Then have another drink. Then lunch. Then drink, snack, drink. Then dinner. Then drink, snack, drink.

It keeps your metabolism at full speed if you eat that much, that often. Obviously portion control is key and eating the right things (just healthy food in general.) Try to cut out fat that isn't needed but don't cut it out completely - your body does need SOME fat. Do not, for god sakes, starve yourself.

I've been told to work out 3-4x a week and for at least 45mins at a time, longer if I want. Anything cardio. Treadmill, cross trainer, rowing machine, eliptical, biking, etc. Just get your heart pumping.

Also, I've found that if you drink a LOT of water, the weight really does just fall off you. It really is all about portion control, a bit of excercise and that's it. If you feel you won't work out at home (I know I sure as hell won't) then join the gym. If you have enough motivation to do it at home - go for it, save your money and buy more MAC!
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ruthless

Well-known member
I like to be able to exercise anywhere. I don't have a gym membership, and won't probably ever. What I do instead is buy punch card passes to the local community rec centres and attend spin/areobics/step/etc classes there from time to time. It's not as costly as a full private gym membership.

I have a pair of 5lb weights at home and luckily for me the place where I live now has a small area with cardio gear for when I get home from work so I don't have to jog outside in the dark.

I don't live where it snows, so I can stay outside all year round. If I did get winter I have ALWAYS wanted to try snowshoeing.

It's really a personal decision-are you going to use the gym 4-5x a week? If not you're better off saving the money for something else.
 

euphrosyne_rose

Well-known member
I joined a gym close to me back in April and have been going at least 3x a week since then. They were having a package where you could get 5 personal training sessions for $200 and I went ahead and did it and then renewed it again after I was finished. I feel that paying the membership fee helps me go and when I don't do the PT, I do other things during the week like the treadmill and the past few months I've gotten into tennis which I played in high school.

I agree about the portion control. I too still eat what I want and just watch my portions, though I do try to make better choices on some things like wheat bread, more yogurt (especially for things that are usually mayo based) and I've changed alot of things like what type of butter I use, reduced fat cheese, leaner meats, less fried foods, etc.

Since I couldn't afford to do both PT and tennis, I chose to try and get better at tennis and continue weights on my own so at my last PT session, my trainer filled out a card that I could take and do the exercises by myself and she made me take some weights and stand in front of the mirror so I could see how far I had come and pointed out where my definition was becoming apparent, especially in my arms. She said my strength and endurance had really come along well. I'm so proud of myself!
 

elegant-one

Well-known member
I work out at home. Treadmill, ankle/wrist weights & weighted balls
Consistency is the key & portion size. Allow yourself a treat once in awhile.

Congrats to you! I wish so badly that I knew anyone my age to play tennis with
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They either have bad knees, or health problems or just plain lazy at this stage of life
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euphrosyne_rose

Well-known member
^^ Elegant, it's too bad you don't live closer!! Me and 2 other girls from work do a clinic on Monday nights for tennis where it's all ladies who go out and do drills and practice forehands, backhands, etc and it's so fun!! We try to get out there and at least hit the ball back and forth on off days even if we don't actually "play". There's so many women out there of different ages and it's nice to meet new people doing the same thing you are!!

I am getting really frustrated though. Like I said, I didn't start going to the gym to lose weight, but to tone. Last week I bumped my weights up to 2x weekly instead of one and I have seen a real difference in my endurance and strength and more tone in my arms, shoulders and back since I first started. The thing that is making me so frustrated is that I feel like I barely notice any difference in my thighs, butt or stomach. I know my legs are stronger just from being able to go higher on the weight for the leg exercises I do but I feel like my thighs and butt haven't gotten any more toned. I try to tell myself that those are tough areas and it's just going to take more work and time to notice a difference but it's tough when you see it in your arms and nowhere else. I have cellulite in my upper backside of my thighs and the outside thighs and I want so badly to get it looking better. Blah.
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Simply Elegant

Well-known member
The stairmill plus running up hills will do great things for your butt. Add squats, lunges and a resistance band workout and your legs and butt should be improved in about a month if diet is balanced and adequate.
 

euphrosyne_rose

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simply Elegant
The stairmill plus running up hills will do great things for your butt. Add squats, lunges and a resistance band workout and your legs and butt should be improved in about a month if diet is balanced and adequate.

Right now my trainer has me doing a leg press machine plus doing pushoffs on the leg press, weights working the inner and outer thighs and that's about it. We did do squats and lunges together but she doesn't have that on the card she filled out for me. I think next time I see her I'm going to ask her about adding on some extra leg stuff like the lunges and squats. Thanks for the ideas!
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Simply Elegant

Well-known member
You're welcome. If you don't have a stairmill, run up stairs and walk down them or walk up 2 at a time.

Oh and the squats where you go all the way down then half up then down then half up and then all the way up are great too.
 

leenybeeny

Well-known member
I've joined gyms so many times and it always ends up being a huge waste of money for me. I just don't enjoy that kind of working out. So I do many different things to keep myself interested. I walk, jog, I just got Wii Fit, which is great, I tape Namaste Yoga and other workout programs on my DVR and do them at home, and when I have some extra cash, I buy a ten class pass to a yoga studio (which does not expire). All of this is guilt free. I find that when I join a gym and don't go, it just leads to me feeling guilty. This way, I can do what I want, when I want and because I am not doing the same thing every day, it keeps me motivated. I also used to bike a lot but I don't have my bike here in California with me. I have also seen some gyms in the area that offer 10 class workout passes, so you don't have to join the gym, you can buy a pass and just attend the scheduled classes. Again, no time limit to use these, so it's not big deal if you don't go "x" times a week. Another thing I used to do when I had a community pool close by was to just go swimming. Most of them are just a few dollars to use the pool during public swim time. Good luck!!
 

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