I am looking at getting a gym membership and I want a little feedback. Those of you that have one...are you faithful in going? Or do you just pay the fee every month? Also, does it help to have a buddy or does it work best to go alone? I bought a gazelle about 2 months ago and at first I was very faithful 6 days a week, but now I am lucky if it is once a week. Anything you suggest would completely help!
My husband and I both got memberships to the Gold's Gym near about just under a year ago. It was GREAT until the beginning of the year when all of a sudden it was swamped with New Year's resolution people. Shortly after that (we resorted to going at 5:00am just to be able to get on a treadmill) all of the equipment started to break down and they weren't really in any hurry to get any of it fixed. We both no longer even bother and have started training for a walking marathon instead, Mapquesting our routes to get the right mileage for each walk.
My advice; do not go to Gold's Gym (they only care about how many people they can get locked into a 1 year-no way to cancel it contract). Find a smaller gym that cares about it's members (no chains) and if you have someone that will go with you, you can keep eachother motivated on the days the other isn't.
Good luck!!
If you bought the Gazelle, and used it for 6 weeks and didn't touch it for the next 20 months - well, at least you have an extra clothes hanger in your house.
If you join a gym, go for 6 weeks, and then stop (but have to continue to pay on a 1 or 2 year contract) - well, you don't even have an extra clothes hanger then.
I built a gym, starting with basic free weight equipment as well as jump ropes and a pull up bar. I've added pieces as I've gone. I walk out my side door, and workout. No preparation, no showers, no sweaty work clothes, no excuses. And, I'm motivated to use it everyday, as I have to look at it every time I pull my car out of the garage to go to work.
Regularly lifting a set of 25lb dumbells that you bought,in your garage, will grow more muscle then not going to a gym equipped with millions of dollars in equipment, that you are still paying a membership for.
Stay safe,
Rb
Oops - forgot to mention. Consider looking at a site like www.crossfit.com for instruction and support. Don't be intimidated by the exercises ( they should be modified for beginners - and they tell you how to do that).
Rb
I originally started there b/c I went to a few classes with a girlfriend who has a membership and I liked it better than other places I'd been to. It is more family-oriented and less meat market, less grunting and groaning coming from the weights section, etc.
Now I generally go by myself. It is easy to keep it up because it is now part of the weekly routine and there is a Y I like close to my house.
However, if it weren't for the classes I wouldn't go at all. The treadmill got old fast! I take 3 classes a week and exercise at my house or outside the other days. That comes to about $4.60 a class and it's worth it.
20 bucks a month to a dirty little gym that has buckets for the vomit, no air conditioning and really great instructors for the classes. :)
I've had a membership to 24 hour fitness for about 3 years now, because they had a discount program through my work. The first year I had a trainer, and went three times a week to meet with her (which is a benefit for sure if you think you need help with learning how to use things or upping your workout intensity, or in my case just motivation to go! Too bad I wasn't eating right at the time...).
The second year, I went maybe three times TOTAL. The fee debited out of my account each month, and I didn't even really think about it. I wasn't ready to really commit to getting in shape then.
Now, I go three or four times a week, and I love it because depending on the one I go to (I have all-club access), they have different classes, and I never get bored working out. I can just do weights and elliptical if I feel like it, or I can run on the treadmill, or do yoga, or go to kickboxing... You get it. And at the fancier one, I can swim laps or take a spin class, etc.
So if you get bored easily, and want the motivation of having people in classes that know you and will notice when you're missing (I've made a couple friends from my workout classes), then a gym membership is a total plus. Another benefit is that it's more practical if you live in an apartment and can't put together a massive home gym set-up. I like 24 hour because I can work out late at night or really early in the morning if I need to, they have a lot of cool classes, and they don't have kids running everywhere like the Y does. They are a bit pricey, but it's worth it to me.
Good luck! :-)
20 bucks a month, Mgosie, and you get vomit buckets? Dang - wish I had one of those around here. Would beat throwing up in my garbage can in the garage. Lol - 20 bills a month is a great deal.....
Original Post by richardbird:
20 bucks a month, Mgosie, and you get vomit buckets? Dang - wish I had one of those around here. Would beat throwing up in my garbage can in the garage. Lol - 20 bills a month is a great deal.....
its weird, there are like 23948398 gyms around, so they have to be cheap, cause ill just go somewhere else.
i also have a deal at 24 hour through work (you might want to look into any deals your work place or insurance might have- My dad's health insurance pays a certain amount of the membership fees for his gym) I am going less now b/c I have been enjoying the weather, but I go at least 3 times a week.... My bf and I started going together, but now we are on different schedules. I pack my stuff in my car and go straight after work. We have used our membership for 3 years and have really used it. It is nicest though if you can go during the off peak hours....
I have never seen vomit buckets :)
But $20 for a gym is a really good deal like rb said
if you have space to set up weights, i would definitely do it. what i wouldn't do for a squat rack and some weight plates and 30-50lb dumbbells. but the main kicker for me is the cardio. if your plan includes cardio that you want to do every day, rain or shine, i'd suggest a gym. you don't have to worry about equipment maintenance or cleaning. and if you're a person who needs variety, they certainly have that. i belong to a gym and go every day, sans buddy.
Here are a few things to consider a few things before getting a gym membership.
1. If you don't think you will use it in the long run then definitely get a membership that is month to month or that has a short contract or one you can easily get out of.
2. Decide what times of day you will want to use the gym and visit the gym during those hours to see how busy it will be. Gyms that cater to families are often busy in the mid mornings, while gyms that cater to professionals or younger people tend to be busier in the really early morning or the afternoon/evening. Most gyms slow down during the summer months, pick up again in the fall, slow down again as you get close to the holidays and then get really busy after New Years. Then some of those members slowly drop off .
3. Do you need childcare? If you do, make sure the gym has child care available during the hours you want to be there. Also, check out the facility and make sure it will meet the needs of your kids.
4. Do you want to take classes, use cardio machines, weight machines, free weights? Make sure they have enough equipment for the members and classes during the times you want to be there.
5. Some gyms like YMCA's, JCC's etc.... are more like all around clubs...some with pools, kids activities, racquet ball, tennis etc... Decide if those are services you want.
6. Some gyms offer extra amenities...spa services, massage, fully stocked locker rooms. Decide if you care about stuff like that. Do you want to shower at the gym? Do they have blow dryers, shampoo etc....
7. Do you want to use a personal trainer? If yes, check out the trainers experience and certifications to make sure they are qualified. How much do they charge for training?
8. Is the gym bright and does it have lots of windows? I have been in gyms where all the weights and machines are downstairs (basically underground) and there is nothing more depressing that spending your time under nothing but florescent light w/ no windows in site. Keep in mind I'm a trainer and I spend a ridiculous amount of time inside a variety of gyms.
9. Demographics of members. If it is full of hard bodies are you going to feel comfortable or do you prefer a more family environment?
10. Of course cost and convenience to your home/work are important too.
That is all I can think of at the moment. Hope it helps.
sometimes i am faitful, sometimes, I am slack, but liek an old frined the gym is always there for you taking your money!
Oh and I also find it more motivational working out with others, I love group fitness classes, but I NEVER go into the gym-gym alone, I find it a bit tedious, I prolly wouldn't use home excercise equipment too for the same reason, but I do play my wii fit religiously, I am so hooked, I have made like zero progress in metroid in a week!!!!
I have found group fitness classes have really motivated me to keep going back and staying on a schedule. I feel that i push myself harder in the classes than if i were to work out on my own, or even with a friend.
Also, i find having to get to the gym for a class at a specific time, gets me to schedule it into my day. I have two types of classes i alternate with - one is a group weight lifting/strength training class called Body-Pump and the other is a Yoga/Tai Chi/Pilates type class called Body-Flow. I aim for 5 days a week (3 evenings and twice on the weekend) but if i miss one, I still feel i have made a good effort for the week. Also, i find that taking a class for an hour, gives me a good work out and i am in and out of the gym in a shorter time, than if i were to go and work out on the equipment. I should probably incorporate some time working out with the equipment, but find i prefer to walk outside, than on a treadmill...
I would suggest finding a gym with Les Mills classes, or something similar so that there is a variety to choose from and they are always changing the choreography and music so that it stays intersting. Try out several, and give them each a few tries to see what you feel comfortable with. Many gyms will let you try out a week for free, take advantage of offers like that to see what suits you best.
Everyone’s different—it all depends on what motivates you. I’ve been on both ends of it: I had a gym membership that I didn’t use, and now use one all the time and will soon be adding a second gym.
Back in about 1997, my hubby and I joined Bally’s on one of there best deals. We went a few times the first few weeks, had LONG periods of nothing, would decide to “start working out” again, only to quit after one or two. That lasted until we moved in 2003, to an area where there just aren’t any Bally’s. Yep, I had a membership for 6 years, which I used maybe a total of a dozen times. The biggest reason was that I just was not committed to it. But also, the location was too inconvenient. Too far from home, too much out of the way, and times just didn’t work for weekdays and then weekends …
Lesson learned: you must be committed, but choosing one that’s convenient to YOUR hours and location is important.
In 2003/04, after moving away from the gym, we bought some workout equipment, but we were never consistent with it. Not even close. To this day, the equipment sits in the basement, next to the family room, and I just don’t use it. I’ll tell myself that I will tonight. Tonight I’ll use the cardioglide while I watch my Jazz game (damn the freaking Lakers—I still haven’t accepted that we lost that series). Or I’ll tell myself that I’ll do weights. I almost never do.
In 2006, my company opened an on-site corporate gym; can’t get any more convenient than that. I went three times a week for a year. Then I switched to a health club near home that’s associated with a local hospital and health care chain, which they use for all their physical therapy patients. It’s more expensive, and not quite as convenient, but it’s got more features (indoor track and pool, primarily, as well as coordinated programs with dieticians, trainers, etc) than the corporate gym. Hubby and I go together, 4 times a week.
But the group class schedule at the health club is not feasible for me, and I miss the group classes for pilates, yoga, spin. So come July (my June schedule will not permit) I’m going to re-join my corporate gym, and go probably 2 or 3 days a week--while still going three days a week to the other gym with my husband.
Second lesson: Going WITH someone is important to me, whether it’s going with a co-worker to the corporate gym or with hubby to the local one. On days I don’t want to go, I go with him anyway. And days he doesn’t really want to go, he goes with me anyway. Only rarely have we BOTH said “nah, not today”.
Thank you all for your advise. I still have not decided what to do, but if I do get a membership I will have a buddy!
A lot of University/College gyms offer a discount to students (if you are one). I only pay $10 a year ;) but I know there must be some hidden fees within my tuition, but hey, it's still worth it!
I go to Planet Fitness - It is $19.99 a month and I get unlimited tanning. They have a lot of free weights, machines and cardio equipment. I love it. I have a treadmill, an elliptical trainer, a stationary bike, free weights, and a universal gym machine AT HOME. I hate to work out once I am home - the gym keeps me motivated. I think the best thing is doing something that you can enjoy.
If you're looking for the right price and convenience, a larger chain gym is the way to go. I haven't heard much about other gyms but I have had a membership with 24 hour fitness for over a year and I love it. The amount you go depends on your commitment to your fitness at the time, as I've discovered, because some months I go 3-4 times a week and others only 1-2 times every 3 weeks. My favorite thing about it is that there are locations everywhere, because I live my life in like 5 different places. They usually have tons of cardio, circuit full-body training and free weights. In a 5-10 miles radius there are 2 or 3 that have all that in addition to pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, volleyball/tennis/basketball courts, running circuits, tanning, etc. They usually offer free classes at certain times throughout the week, and the trainers have been really nice.
If you have some time, wait for a holiday to roll around (either father's day or this weekend might be good times) because they usually have no processing fees and $20 membership available, rather than paying $150 just to join and paying $25 a month. Otherwise, just haggle or say you can't afford it. They'll try to get you in. They're not all perfect, but some are newer and have tvs and magazines available. I definitely will stay with them.
There is usually more options to being a member of a gym than just working out on the machines. Most gyms offer free (or small fee) group classes for yoga, pilates, kickboxing, bosu ball, etc. This gives you more variety to your workout and a chance to meet workout buddies, if you don't already have someone to partner up with. I feel the class/group environment adds to your motivation to attend the gym/classes.
I joined the martial arts class (Tae Kwon Do) and the spinning class at my fitness center and have met some of the best people. I enjoy the learning, the workout and the people and I absolutely hate to miss a class.
I started paying to go to a gym about a month and a half ago. While that isn't a very long time to judge "stick-with-it-ness" But I feel more motivated and determined then when I could go to a gym that was free.
Now, if I think about skipping a day I had planned on going, then I tell myself that I'm wasting money... and I really hate that!!!!
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