Contemplating a gym membership (biting nails)

Posts: 26
2/4/13 3:48 P

Personally, I love my gym. If I don't have a membership I plan to walk/run/bike/do DVDs, but it never happens with an consistency. It's just too easy to say, "Oh, I have to call my mom." or "After we do dishes" or "In 10 minutes." I also find that, once I start working out, I'm more likely to quit halfway through the video or jogging lap or whatever and say "That was good enough."

The hardest part about the gym is getting there, but once I am there I just push myself harder than if I were at home. I think it's very beneficial to have a dedicated "work-out" space; now when I show up I am excited to start moving. (Sort of similar to how they say you shouldn't do work in bed, b/c it will increase stress dreams.)

All that being said, I have had many, many gym memberships that were under used. I think it's really a great thing to take care of yourself in this way, but just having the membership won't make you work out any more than just having that extra dvd. You really have to commit to making it a part of your life, and you'll feel so great that you did!

current weight: 177.0

192 184.5 177 169.5

162

SparkPoints: (21,177)
Fitness Minutes: (21,216)
Posts: 563
2/4/13 4:42 A

Try the free trial and realize a membership is an investment in you if you are comitted to going at least 3 times a week. My gym is only $10 a month and I use it but have seen many buy a year's membership and quit going after the first month.Good luck.

current weight: 146.0

179 169.25 159.5 149.75

140

SparkPoints: (13,933)
Fitness Minutes: (4,834)
Posts: 950
2/4/13 3:06 A

Just try it.I also had to adjust my budget to pay for my membership and it was a great decision.

June SparkPoints: 1,491

0 625 1250 1875

2500

SparkPoints: (36,086)
Fitness Minutes: (24,464)
Posts: 2,507
2/3/13 9:14 P

I say try it out - if they offer a 7 day free pass, give it a try and see if you like it

current weight: 130.0

260 227.5 195 162.5

130

SparkPoints: (31,245)
Fitness Minutes: (29,748)
Posts: 818
2/3/13 7:44 P

I love my gym. There are more options than I would have at home - a variety of cardio machines, a multitude of classes, free weights and machines and a pool. A real plus is the friends I've made. It's worth every penny to me.

current weight: 125.0

131 128.75 126.5 124.25

122

Posts: 154
2/3/13 4:43 P

I definitely work out more when I have a gym membership. I workout at home to dvds with weights sometimes, too. I also run around my neighborhood when the weather is good. I need variety otherwise I get bored.

current weight: 155.0

160 155 150 145

140

SparkPoints: (2,131)
Fitness Minutes: (2,572)
Posts: 67
2/3/13 3:33 P

I have to have a gym otherwise I'm not going to work out. For me it was just signing a contract and unsure whether or not I'd enjoy that particular gym. At first I was going to a 24/7 small gym with no classes/pools/etc. and it was fine but I'd only go 2-3 times and week and now 1 year into my Gold's membership I'm there 5-6 days a week because of the Les Mill classes and the vast amount of equipment they offer.

June Minutes: 0

0 350 700 1050

1400

Posts: 451
2/3/13 11:38 A

a couple of years ago, I decided to have a trial membership for 3 month. I told myself, if manage to go, I'm allowed to get a full membership (and have the spa too!)

It worked because the gym was pretty good, the classes phantastic and the people very nice.

When we moved to germany I joint the local gym. Its not that nice from the atmosphere as the english one, but offeres a lot. I had some rough times (especially when I started to run, I love running outside), but it seems that I established "fixed" gym times.

Pounds lost: 31.0

0 17 34 51

68

SparkPoints: (10,441)
Fitness Minutes: (6,032)
Posts: 350
2/3/13 9:10 A

Try the free trial and see how you like it. Do not try it out while you are not on your normal day to day schedule - for example if you are off work for a week - that is not the time to use your trial. Use your trial and go at the times when you know you will normally be going. Research the gym well before signing up - have there been a lot of complaints with the BBB - if so, look for another option or gym. Until about a year ago, I belonged to a gym that was notorious for double billing or not stopping payments after someone left. I never had those issues but lots of people did. When they closed down, I joined our local Y. You sign up for a year but if you want to quit or you need to put your membership on hold for a couple of months they just require 10 days notice. Be sure to ask whatever gym you join their cancellation/hold policy.

Benefit of gym over home to me - I can always find an excuse not to exercise at home (and not good excuses either) With the gym, I have a set time and it is like an appointment to me - 9 a.m. go to gym. It helps that they have classes that I enjoy at that time but even on days they don't I still go and do my own thing (i.e. weights). So it all depends on how disciplined you are. If you know you will do it on your own, then compare the cost of membership to the cost of the equipment you will have to buy and make your decision. You also say that you have friends that go to the gym that will motivate you. Be careful with this one - sometimes the friend is not motivated enough and you end up going because they are not.

Edited by: JANAMP09 at: 2/3/2013 (19:47)

Pounds lost: 30.0

0 7.5 15 22.5

30

SparkPoints: (113,426)
Fitness Minutes: (118,644)
Posts: 7,660
2/3/13 8:48 A

I say try it out. I personally love my gym and have made many great friends there through run club and group fitness classes. And they maintain the equipment and have things that I can't afford to purchase or fit into my home.

Posts: 249
2/2/13 5:57 P

I too went back and forth about buying into a gym membership. I'm super cheap myself. I figured that if I wasn't buying out the time at home, what made me think I would stick to a gym membership. The answered lied in what was I motivated to do. I wanted to get on an elliptical or treadmill (neither which I had at home). Then my husband (skinny man that he is) made me make a commitment where we was going to keep me accountable. I committed to 3 times a week and I've stuck with it for 3 months now. Also, all of a sudden I'm buying out time at home to run. I wasn't doing this before. So the gym was the push I needed. But that's just me. I think that you need to find a way to hold yourself accountable in order for you to stick with it.

Pounds lost: 61.8

0 25 50 75

100

Posts: 5,381
2/2/13 3:50 P

I am not a gym rat.......just an workout junky. But try the 7 day free pass. I am just here to support you..............

current weight: 117.0

136 130.75 125.5 120.25

115

Posts: 79
2/2/13 12:45 P

try it out and see what you think. Stay committed to it for the week so you really know if you will like it.

Pounds lost: 5.0

0 10.75 21.5 32.25

43

SparkPoints: (64)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 11
2/2/13 12:21 P

Just looked, there is a free 7day pass! :-D

SparkPoints: (64)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 11
2/2/13 12:12 P

No planet fitness close by. I have heard
They are awesome, but the closest one is 40 min alway. :-(

SparkPoints: (64)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 11
2/2/13 12:11 P

I have friends that go, so that in itself is a plus for
Me. You know, someone to help you stay
Focused. I have no equipment at my house. There are 4 kids here so no area to go and exercise without someone being up under me. And I would rather exercise with strangers than get my Jane Fonda on with my whole family watching. Our weather has been terrible. Rain every other day. So being inside would be a plus. They have every kind of equipment you could imagine. And a private room with "fitness on demand."

Posts: 79
2/2/13 12:03 P

I'm not sure which gym you are contemplating, but can you get a free trial there? If so try it out, see if you like it. I just joined Planet Fitness, no free trial but they have 2 different memberships a contract one of $19.99/month and if you cancel is it only a $58 cancellation fee, or a $10 month fee (no perks with that one just straight gym time) but no contract so you can cancel at anytime with no penalties.

Pounds lost: 5.0

0 10.75 21.5 32.25

43

Posts: 453
2/2/13 11:59 A

Why do you think you need a gym membership? What do you hope to gain that you can't achieve without it? What equipment/exercises are you planning to do? How many times a week do you plan on going and how does that break down for price per visit?

I think the answers to these questions will help you decide.

SparkPoints: (64)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 11
2/2/13 11:15 A

I have been contemplating a gym membership for several weeks now. I'm just nervous about it. About going. About not going. Am I doing the right thing? Will I be able to stay motivated? Will it be worth the money? I don't spend money on myself....only get my hair cut every 6-8 months or so, shoes only when needed. I get bad buyers remorse even when it is a "needed" item. So I am struggling with this. I have to budget well, so I don't wanna regret this. Just so many thoughts right now.