gym membership vs elliptical machine at home?

[Anonymous]

I currently belong to a local gym, but with 2 young kids, I don't get there as often as I want to, I get there about 1-3 times a week (or not at all during a blizzard). I'm wondering if I'd be better off getting an elliptical trainer machine at home and dropping the gym membership. One the one hand, i like getting out of the house and going to the gym, but on the other hand, perhaps I could get more workouts in if I didn't have to drive anywhere.

Do you have fitness equipment at home, and do you use it? I would hate to buy something and then not really use it.

[Anonymous]

I am one of the few people I know who does use their home gym equipment - and to work out on, not just hang my clothes. But, I never use my elliptical. My mistake was going too cheap and I hate mine. So, if you decide to go this route, my recommendation is to make sure you buy the right piece of equipment for you.

[Anonymous]

I used to have fitness equipment at home, but rarely used it after the first week. I prefer getting out of the house and going to the gym. I don't like working out with people per se, but having others around me who are working out motivates me to workout longer and harder.

[Anonymous]

I use my treadmill all the time, but after a year of this I really needed a change and joined a gym. We belong to a Gold's gym that has childcare so it really helps to have another option.

I have also heard many comments like 22:38 who have said they bought a piece of equipment that was cheap and didn't use it.

[Anonymous]

I do both - can only make it to the gym once a week on Saturdays for yoga class and a quick circuit training session.

I do have a gym in my office building I use 2x a week for weights and light cardio as well, during lunch.

For home gym - it's fine to get a machine but if you are only doing elliptical you will get bored and stop seeing results. We have a treadmill which I love, but typically save it for bad weather, or something like nap time when I'm home but can't leave the house to walk/run.

I love doing weights in my basement too. You can do a lot with your own body and some dumbbells. Even more if you add a few more cheap pieces of equipment like an exercise ball or resistance bands, or a weight bench. Also, DVDs are good for cardio too.

I guess I'm saying you can get an awesome workout without a gym, but I encourage you to look beyond one piece of cardio equipment!

[Anonymous]

I have a treadmill in my basement that I love (although nothing beats outside). I got one I love and knew I would use. I did not miss a day of running with the Blizzards of 2010 thanks to my treadmill.

[Anonymous]

We have an elliptical and it gets a ton of use - probably 5-7 nights a week, by one or both of us. The key for us: TV with TiVo (or DVR), keep our favorite shows on it, and we're highly incentivized to get down to the basement and watch those shows...oh yeah, and work out, too. We also have a weight bench and weights, and my long-term gym member husband is now VERY happy with our set up and doesn't miss the gym membership at all. Works out much better with our schedules. We can both be there for kid bed time, then "go to the gym" (as we call our basement) once the kids are tucked in - no need to drag yourself back out of the house.

I agree with the poster who said if you get one, get a good one that you'll like using and that will keep you interested. Ours has several different pre-programmed workouts so that keeps it more interesting than just setting it at "manual, resistance 5, level 5" every day.

[Anonymous]

was just thinking the same thing after not getting to the gym since the friday before the first blizzard. i'm a single mom so it's even harder to find child care to get out of the house. i have heard cheap equipment is not a good investment, but i hate to spent $1000 if i won't use it. seems like having the option might be a good thing though....

[Anonymous]

Where are good places to buy good quality cardio equipment?

[Anonymous]

We have a small home gym with elliptical machine, tv/dvd player and a weight bench and set of free weights. I def. work out more since we switched. It is so easy to just go downstairs and work out rather than get in the car and drive there. The only benefit of the gym would be babysitting if they have it, otherwise I workout when DC is down for a nap or in the evening if DH gives him a bath or after he goes to bed. I find I get everything I need with the elliptical, workout dvd's and the free weights.

[Anonymous]

http://www.amazon.com/CYBEX-360A-Home-Arc-Trainer/dp/B002VL1IA2

This is the one we have, this link to amazon has some reviews too.

[Anonymous]

Is there any way you could buy a used elliptical and have both? I have a cheap gym membership that I use several times a week, but I also have a cheap treadmill in the basement for the times when i can't get out of the house, like snowstorms or when my daughter's too sick to go to gym daycare.

I get really bored just running in my basement, and if that was my only option, I'd probably go crazy. but it is nice to have the choice.

[Anonymous]

I actually just recently joined a gym w/ childcare and choose this option instead of buying home fitness equipment because I am scared to work on the equipment w/ my kids around, and also afraid they might turn it on or get on it when I'm not looking and hurt themselves. When I am at home, I get no alone time. Joining the Gym that has a daycare gives both my husband and I the alone time we need.

[Anonymous]

We just invested in a home gym setup (4 kids from 11 - 3) and have an elliptical, treadmill and stationary bike. We use the "gym" almost daily. There is a TV with DVR in the room and the rule is that our older two kids can work out and watch tv and the littler ones cannot turn anything on (ie the treadmill). They can climb up on the bike though and sit on the workout ball or weight bench.

I still try to run outside a couple of times per week but I like to mix it up. I will also DVR yoga programs from the FIT channel and do those too. We bought our equipment from Fitness Resource and the only thing I would change is getting a slightly more expensive elliptical b/c I really like the variety of programs. We got a more expensive treadmill because it seemed better and had a lifetime warranty. GL!

[Anonymous]

http://www.amazon.com/CYBEX-360A-Home-Arc-Trainer/dp/B002VL1IA2

This is the one we have, this link to amazon has some reviews too. "

Is that gym quality?