Do you go to a gym or work out at home?

[DawnM]

I am considering joining the YMCA. It is expensive but is the only place I can have my kiddos watched while I work out (my older kids HATE the nursery type child care at the other places.)

I am not doing well working out by myself.

Sigh.

Dawn

 

[momof2minnies]

Dawn
I did the gym route when my girls were younger and they loved it.I also think it gives them a sense of how important it is to exercise.

Linda

 

[deekaypee]

Dawn,

I go to the gym and work out at home. Going to the gym got me to the point where I want to work out, so my membership was invaluable for that. And I go frequently because I'm a cost-per-use kind of person. (That's how I've justified some of my favorite clothes! )

Some other things you might consider. I agree 110% with Linda about modeling for the kids. Also, your Y might have a lot of good programs for your kids to join. Or a pool.

But I really think of a gym membership as being for YOU primarily. For me, paying the monthly fee is like setting an appointment to do something good for me. Something that's just for me, because I deserve to be healthy and happy. That's also some good modeling for the kids.

And you mentioned not doing very well working out by yourself. If your Y has classes, you can take those. Some classes become a real social hour. Me, I'm not so much of a class person at this point because of my schedule, but I still enjoy seeing the "regulars" in the cardio room. I miss them when I don't see them, even if we have a "Hey, how are you doing?" relationship. And in my experience Ys are really good at fostering their community relationships.

So I'd advocate joining. Like the Clairol ad, "You're worth it!"

 

[VernRDH]

I wholeheartedly agree on joining the Y. DH and I are going quite a bit now, and we have belonged for the last 5 years. DD goes to Y Time after school and the summer camp. So the membership always helped us to get discounts on her programs. DH did Boot Camp two sessions ago, then last session we did it together. DD went to the tween club while we worked out. Now I am going on my own, so DH and DD are home. But Dh continues to go to classes which are free (boot camp costs $150/session). I am taking yoga on the weekends. We do trade off times, and DH gets out of work at 3 so he goes after work before he picks DD up. DD likes the tween club, loves the pool and they even have kids yoga and youth fitness, where DD can work out with a trainer in part of the gym. She sees that getting healthier and in shape is important.

Once the nicer weather hits here in upstate NY, I will do more outside running, but I will continue with the yoga and am going to start some pilates classes and some strength training classes when Boot Camp is over.

Good luck to you and let us know how you do.

 

[DisneyFan06]

I have a gym in the apartements where I live, so that is great. I also have an oliptical at home but I rarely use it because it is there. I find I work out best when I am not at home.

 

[FireDancer]

I do both. I go to the gym because I like being in the atmosphere of a gym. It gives you a bit of accountability. Plus if I purchased all the equipment I use on my weight training days I would have to take out a second mortgage.

I also do a lot of core work at home and do my running out in my neighborhood. I absolutely hate treadmill running and as long as the weather is above 0 I will don my winter running gear and hit the streets. There are about 5 or 6 times a year when I suck it up and hit the treadmills at the gym, but that is mostly after there have been too many sub 0 days and I need my running fix.

I bring my gym bag to work and hit the gym on the way home. First, it is way less out of the way that way and second, I know it is hard to go back out to the gym once you are home.

 

[pjlla]

I couldn't vote because my option isn't there. I do have a Y membership and I do use it frequently. MOstly because DD is on the swim team and I spend a LOT of time at the Y. Otherwise I would NEVER go.... it is too far from home. But on the days when I don't get to the Y or when I have to run errands when she is swimming, I try to get in a workout at home. I have a good quality treadmill that I have had for YEARS and I try to use it whenever possible. I am also considering buying on of the Jillian Michael workout DVDs that someone here recommended, but I haven't really looked into it yet. I have a few older Pilates and Yoga videos, but haven't really used them. I got them for free at a tag sale, so nothing lost there. So there you have it........................P

 

[tiggerlover]

For me personally, I need the gym. I have an elliptical at home, but rarely do I get on it. With the gym I go faithfully Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On my off days from the gym I run the stairs at work and I also actively use the Wii Fit.

 

[saremca]

I work out at home. I have 60+ DVDs, free weights, kettlebells, bands, a club step, and a stability ball so I'm all set. I hate gyms, so home is the best option for me.

 

[ohMom]

guess i'm a minority -- i belong to a fitness center through DH's work. it's very nice and lately i've been going to spinning. however, if i'm going to treadmill, i do that at home so i can watch tv that I want, and i have several DVDs so when i just need to log in a workout for the day, it just seems quicker to do so at home.

 

[mickeyncldkd]

I go to the Y in our town with the kids. Both kids love going with me. Sometimes, they ask me to go to the Y when I really do not want to.

 

[DawnM]

Thanks guys.

I am still debating. The YMCA is 9 miles away from us, 20-25 min. each way. That is the biggest deterrent for me right now. The only childcare they have for my kids is from 4-8pm and I really prefer to work out in the am.

I have done the treadmill this week and DH just went and bought new weights this week. I also have a couple of great workout DVDs so I really have no excuse. I bought the Power 90 videos and I have several Joyce Vedral.

Dawn

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I'm lucky enough to live in a part of the world where I can run outdoors year-round. Still, I end up using the small fitness room in our apartment building 1-2 times a week. I do hate gyms, and would rather be outside, however. Particularly if I had to drive to get to the gym; it just wouldn't happen. I'd buy a treadmill and a set of weights first. We do, however, drive 10 minutes to get to a hot yoga studio once a week. I enjoy the heat and the yoga and hot yoga is definitely not something I could do at home.

Anyway, I think it really depends on how you like to work out. If you think you'd prefer classes, or having a pool to swim in, then I'd say try out a membership! There is definitely something to be said about being in a fitness-oriented environment, when you can't work up the will-power to exercise on your own!

 

[PaulaSue]

I work out at home.

I just started about 2 1/4 years ago taking better care of myself. I love to go walking (very strange if you knew me as a kid) used to take the girls in the stroller and their scooters and when it got cold Dh bought me an Elipicall to keep me motivated. Our treadmill and skier were dying (he works out at home too) Heck I am even on my elipical now...

PS: If you have Comcast they have exercise tv free on demand. I have tried them but I am so 2 left feet so I never really got into them but I keep trying now and then to change it up.

 

[FireDancer]

I work out at home.

PS: If you have Comcast they have exercise tv free on demand. I have tried them but I am so 2 left feet so I never really got into them but I keep trying now and then to change it up.

Also, DirecTv has FitTv which has a lot of fitness programming.

 

[::Snow_White::]

We don't have a gym in town and the closes one is around 30 minutes away. Between going to school and hating to drive that's not really an option.

So I buy DVDs and workout with those, wii fit, and fitness coach.
Completely fine with me as long as they work!

 

[PeterPan09]

I belong to a gym about 20 minutes from my house. I joined for the pool and the Master's swim club, but I go on non-practice days now to use the treadmill. I do some minor stuff at home, a few push-ups and sit ups, but I've found that I have to physically take myself somewhere to exercise consistently.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

We have a few gyms in the area, but I've never really felt comfortable working out in front of other people so I work out at home by walking (our neighborhood is GREAT for that) and by using my Wii Fit.

 

[iggbees]

i joined planet fitness, only because i'm a grad student who doesn't have all that much time to go to the gym, and i don't feel bad about spending 10$ a month. where i live we don't have much of an option of where we can join, it's either gold's (which is insanely expensive) or planet fitness. i find that if i workout at home i do it less than if i bring my workout clothes to school with me. i do use wii fit occasionally (i love boxing!), but i'm so tired when i get home from work it's mostly on the weekends.

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

I quit my gym because I got tired of people who wouldn't follow the rules and use their cellphone while on the treadmills. I found a trainer I love, and joined his gym but then it closed due to the economy.

So I thought I knew all the gym options around me but I kept googling and finally I found a hidden gym! It is about 12 min-15 min away by freeway, but I love it. I also will work out harder if I'm at a gym as opposed to home.