Do You Belong to a Gym? And Acutally Use It?

[Anonymous]

Debating whether or not I should join a gym (my company has discounts).

Is it worth it? Will I use it? Do you use yours? How often?

[Anonymous]

Yes; it's next door to my office. I go every day; sometimes in the morning before work and sometimes at lunch. You have to make it a priority. I happen to love exercise and like to mix things up -- running outside every day isn't enough of variety for me and doesn't provide any strength training, which is increasingly important as we get older. I encourage you to join, but only do so if you make a commitment to go regularly.

[Anonymous]

Yes and yes. As opposed to PP I started out hating exercise, but I made myself go b/c I really needed to do something to get back in shape. After I got into a good routine (took 2-3 months or so), I still didn't LOVE going, but it was much easier.

Now, about 2 years into it, I can't imagine not going regularly. It's my "me-time", and I'm looking forward to it every time I go (I go three times a week, twice in the evenings after the kids are in bed, and once on a weekend morning - sometimes the kids come with me b/c they like the gym kids play area, sometimes DH takes them out to the park, breakfast, whatever).

Good luck. For me it was all about making it part of my weekly routine.

[Anonymous]

Yes and yes, 4-5 days a week, usually before work.

[Anonymous]

OP, only you can answer your questions. Like some others, I can't imagine not working out, so don't give thought to not going.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I belong to one.

No, I don't actively use it. Actually, it goes in spurts where I use it for a few weeks and then don't. I wish I had done a month to month membership bc in the warmer months I was more active outside and didn't want to go to the gym. In the winter, I am more apt to go.

[Anonymous]

I'm the kind of person who has to go to a gym because I won't work out at home on a regular basis. I just have to know that there is some guy/woman at the front desk who is expecting me to show up at 5:15 am or they'll be wondering where I am. I know - crazy - but that's how my mind works.

On the other hand, some people buy gym memberships like people who buy equipment they never use. So you have to make it a priority. Also go for a gym where you know you will go. That could be the closest gym (my choice) or it could be Curves because you feel comfortable in an all woman environment or it could be a place where there are lots of free classes.

[Anonymous]

I go to the exercise room at my workplace.It's free and right there. I also signed up for a guest pass at a Bally's this week and went for the first time Sunday.

...and I hated every second of it. I like exercise, but man, I hate the gym. I can't even put my finger on why, except that maybe I'm self conscious and hate exercising in front of lots of people. Then again, I play a team sport where people watch, so who knows.

I would go and get a free guest pass (they probably have some sort of such deal), or pay a drop in fee and go a couple times and check it out. See what you think.

[Anonymous]

Aw, look. See, I just totally talked myself out of going tonight. (I'm the PP)

[Anonymous]

I've belonged to a gym for a number of years. Before kids, I was there 4 times/week. After kid #1, I could still swing it a few times a month, but they didn't have childcare so eventually I cancelled since we took a lot of walks instead.

Now we have 2 kids and I started going at night after #2 went to bed (since DH and I switch off bedtime for #1), but now #2 is more active and in the 'I'm going to kill myself if you're not watching me' and I'm just plain worn out after he goes to bed (which is a little later). I don't have the energy or motivation to round up my ipod, sneakers, sports bra, etc. Plus my non-gym to-do list is quite extensive and my gym has childcare only for kids 2 and up and you have to reserve it the day before.

Needless to say, I'm cancelling the membership soon, especially since I'm having foot surgery in a couple weeks. I think I'll switch to a dance or zumba class instead - something where I pay for the classes, as opposed to the drop-in-anytime-so-it's-easy-to-procrastinate gym thing. I've always been more of a group class person anyways and I prefer the way my body looks when I dance vs. do a cardio machine & weights. I am also pretty good about working out at home, which I should do more often since I work FT from home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, only you can answer your questions. Like some others, I can't imagine not working out, so don't give thought to not going.

I agree with this poster. I would go NUTS if I did not make it to the gym. As it is, I go 5xs a week and I really don't enjoy my "days off". On those days I at least do floor exercises at home.

I go out of my way to go to the gym, it is 10 min away from my home and I work FT with 2 small children. I get there at 5:30AM. I could have every excuse in the world not to go, but I'm an addict.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it's in my building at work.