Exercising alone

[Robinrs]

I prefer exercising alone and always have. Can't STAND classes and crowded gyms, for some reason they bother me. Does anyone else feel this way? Sometimes I feel I'm the only one!

 

[teachingmykids]

I'm with you Robin,
I'd much rather do it in the comfort of my home, without getting dressed up or having to put on makeup. Then I can go straight to the shower. Plus, I'm more likely to do it as opposed to leaving the house.

 

[TammyNC]

I don't enjoy going to gyms, etc. but sometimes wonder if it wouldn't be a good change of pace. I think I'll at least enjoy exercising more when the weather opens up and I can get outside.

 

[helenk]

I enjoy the convenience of exercising at home. With working and my daughter involved in sports and her church group I just can not seem to find the time to fit the gym into my schedule. At home I can go on the threadmill or do my exercise tapes when I want to.
I am anxious for the nice weather so I can get outside to walk, but I will still do my firming videos at home.

 

[JCJRSmith]

The thing that always drove me nuts was waiting for a machine or station. It becomes too difficult to keep the intensity up during the workout. Recently, we purchased one of these from Sears:
Weider Crossbow Platinum and set it up in the basement. I can move quickly from exercise to exercise and get a great workout.

 

[ohMom]

i'm odd i suppose

pre-WISH if I didn't physical GO to the Y, then I didn't workout. Now I have some WATP and pilates DVD and I powerwalk and have figured out that I can workout at home. In this revelation I also discovered that I don't have to go grind myself with the most intense aerobic class I can find -- 30-45 mins of moderate aerobic activity is enough.

We belong to the Y as a family and I try to utilize that membership. I haven't stepped foot in an aerobics class for over two years, since developing tendonitis in my foot. I have attended water aerobics, yoga, and spinning and enjoyed those enough to go back. I don't get into the socialness of classes, nor would I ever dream of showering or putting on make-up before going. I look like doo-doo, i know it. I'm there to workout and make good on my time there. There are plenty of people there for "show" and that's fine and good for them, most of them are thin and never battled the bulge either!

i'm looking forward to a bit warmer weather and powerwalking again and bike riding a real bike that actually goes somewhere!

 

[tlgoblue]

I like to do both. I really need to go to the Y, or I let my entire routine slip. There are just too many distractions, which wind up being excuses not to workout. So I go to the gym where my sole purpose is to exercise. I do prefere to do aerobics or any other thing that requires coordination, at home, alone. Funny, I use the TM at the Y, but not the one in my house. I just get more motivated when I'm in the gym.

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[septbride2002]

I enjoy both actually. Last year I was going to Jazzercise pretty regularly for about 6 months and loved it. I had some aquaintances there that I would talk to, and the classes were so full of energy you couldn't help but be jazzed to be there. I really miss doing that sometimes but when I moved 45 minutes away it wasn't pratical to go 4 to 5 times a week like I was.

I enjoy being at home because it is convient. I can do the exercises right when I get home or I can do it in the morning or right before bed. It is quite and is definately me time. But I do miss the interaction with people for it. Plus I am kind of afraid DH will tease me (my Dad and Brother use to tease me when I worked out at home).

~Amanda

 

[sueg]

I've never had success going to a gym for exercise. Especially when I'm time pressed (which seems like always!), I only have time to squeeze in a 30-40 min. tape & if I had to go to the gym, I wouldn't exercise at all. The best time for me to exercise is as soon as I get up in the AM & leaving for the gym at that hour is not going to happen for me.
All that being said, I have recently thought about whether my exercise "form" would be better if there was an instructor or other set of watchful eyes. The FIRM tape instructors try to anticipate common form problems during the tape (don't crash bottom!) but I would love 2 or 3 private sessions with a certified FIRM instructor to see if I'm maximizing the benefits from my work outs. I would also love a million dollars, so lets see if I ever get either one. LOL

 

[Nancy]

I like to work out on my own, but I NEED the comittment of a gym. I like Curves because there is never a wait for anything and it's quick. I never talk to anyone while I'm working out, they probably all think I'm a snob...but I just want to workout and go. (I also don't like to eat lunch at work with anyone and get really upset when someone wants to sit with me)

I also work out at home but only if no one is around...or if they are all sleeping.

 

[tiggerlover]

It depends on my mood. Sometimes I really enjoy working out at the gym side by side with someone I can talk to...it just makes the workout go quicker. But than there are days where I don't want to see anyone and there are those great times when you are the first one at the gym and you have it all to yourself.

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

I used to go to gym - very early in the morning - so there was no makeup etc - and it had the atmosphere of friends - but I work so much harder at home by myself than I did there. I like not having to spend time to get there and home and then ready for work.

I for one am sold on the "home" for me - still pay my membership (it's rather inexpensive) thinking I willl go for some classes and then I drive by on Sat and the parking lot is overflowing - maybe I won't renew next time.

so does this come down to Type A vs Type B people and their preference? Just a thought

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

I love exercising alone too! I did go to a gym for a while, and it wasn't too bad. But I really like being by myself on the treadmill etc. - and I can sing or hum along with my funk/disco cds. Also I find I can concentrate better when doing the weights.

I have asked DH and DDs to please give me that 45 minutes or so alone, and they have been pretty good about it. Otherwise, I wait until they are settled in at night when I know no one will bother me. It's really much more enjoyable this way, alone in my cellar!
Kathy

 

[luvmydogs]

I hear you, Robin! I can look as foolish as I want in the privacy of my own home! I've always compared myself to the other women in the gyms I have joined, and allowed myself to feel bad when I didn't look as good or do the routines as well as they. I find it easier to compete against myself and measure my progress that way. I also like not having travel-time, and being able to jump into the shower. That way, I can start DISing even sooner! My best to you and Michael...

 

[Robinrs]

Well, it's good to know I'm NOT alone!

I do go to the gym in my complex, early in the morning when no one is there but me. I am in a zone when I'm working out, and I haven't found many women who are as serious about it as I am. I used to go to an all men's gym. They work out like it's a passion, not a social gathering. I don't want to talk, I want to work.

My office gave us free memberships to Bally's. I went for months but just HATED it. The group I came with would play around and spend hours in the shower room. UGH. I started going to a different place which was empty most of the time. They always told me I was anti social. I didn't appreciate going to a gym during my lunch hour to hear people talking about the color of the woman on the next treadmill's tights...

I guess that's where I was when I wrote this. I am normally a very social person but not in this!

 

[JustMe28]

I totally like exercising alone. Always have. For me, when I exercise, I'm not only exercising, I'm sorting things out in my mind. Maybe I am odd, LOL. But, when I am exercising, I am thinking about things that have went on that day, or daydreaming about what I want to look like at GOAL - counting up how many more pounds it will be, etc. So, exercise for me, is ME time. Alone time. LOL, now you know my secrets!

 

[cinmell]

I prefer to exercise at home by myself.