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8/20/12 2:57 A

I'm going to have a trainer in reserve, for when I hit a plateu.

The gym I attend is £15.99 a month, but what I like about it, is that you can freeze your membership if you know you won't be going for a month or so to £5 a month, so you still keep your membership, but you're not wasting money. You could ask the gym if they do anything similar, so that maybe in the summer months you can spend your time outside.

SparkPoints: (10,432)
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Posts: 67
7/18/12 8:47 P

I was anti- trainer for maybe 5 months, then decided one day, what the heck, I'll go for 5 sessions. I THOUGHT i knew how to work out before... Oh man did I learn soooo much! Get maybe 5-10 session, learn from then, questinon their nutrition knowledge to no end, then do it on your own! Your workouts will be so much better.
This method of course requires you to log your workouts, pay CLOSE attention to proper lifting form etc. You may look a bit weird during your learning, but it will pay off

Pounds lost: 128.6

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SparkPoints: (1,112)
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Posts: 3
8/30/11 12:52 P

So I did in fact join a gym. 40 a month, 24-hour access with lots of different classes (Yoga, kickboxing, pilates, spinning, water aerobics, ZUMBA, etc).

Here's where they get you (and this is totally paraphrased and not verbatim):

They make you believe that you can't lose the weight at the gym ON YOUR OWN. They want you to hire their personal trainers--and that's expensive. 65 for a one-hour session, and they suggest like...a lot of sessions. They showed me computer simulations and where like, well, if I saw a trainer three days a week, I could--possibly--lose 75 pounds in 9 months. Without a trainer's assistance? 18 pounds in one year.

Ye of little faith.

But for the 40 a month I can use all the equipment that said trainers would have me use...and with you wonderful people here I have my morale and inspiration and assistance with nutrition without harassing my doctor everytime I hit a small snag.

SparkPoints: (1,112)
Fitness Minutes: (2,769)
Posts: 3
8/30/11 9:25 A

I like the lack of interruption at the gym, too. When I'm at home, I have neighbors, friends who drop by, my phone is constantly going off...at the gym, no one knows I'm there! (Unless I check-in on Facebook!)

I live in a big city, so yeah, I could find a larger place for 45 more a month, but then we have to deal with location, security, pets--MOVING--a lot more hassle than it's worth!

A good thing to remember is a lot of gyms offer a VIP trial run (Gold's Gym, for example, will give you a 7-day VIP Pass that is good for equipment, pool, tanning, classes, etc).

Posts: 8,645
8/29/11 10:07 P

I agree, gyms are so right for people who don't have the space to work out at home, and looked at from that angle they can be a real bargain!

A gym membership might cost $45 a month, but can you get a bigger place for just $45 a month? Plus the gym will come with equipment and maybe classes or a pool.

On the other hand, if you have a basement, it may be a bit harder to justify the cost.

Another bonus is that you are less apt to be interrupted at the gym. When I first joined a gym, the thing I liked best about it was that no one interrupted me while I was exercising!

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Posts: 442
8/29/11 5:00 P

I am trying to work out as much as possible at home, my laptop has been like a personal trainer, I head to the basement (in which I just have weights and a resistance band), throw in a DVD for cardio then log on to Sparkpeople for other videos and strength training. I also walk when it is nice out. With living in PA I will soon not be able to go outside due to ice and snow so I want to join a gym, but it will be more or less a reward for exercising regularly until the end of October. If I can prove to myself that I will do it, I can justify spending the money. There is a YMCA a block away from work so I will have very little excuse not to go right afterwards. Maybe looking at is as a reward for consistency will also work for you?

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Posts: 3
8/29/11 3:23 P

I've been scouring for a gym myself. I live in a small apartment (upstairs) and I don't feel like disturbing my neighbors, plus the lack of space. There is one gym less than a mile away...open 24 hours a day, free classes with membership, swimming pool and tanning booths (I'd use the pool and they offer kickboxing and zumba) for 40 a month. I HAD a gym membership several years ago before I moved to a different city and used it several times a week--but I also had an exercise buddy.

Gyms work for people who don't have the space--I'd love a treadmill in my home but I think I'd have to get rid of the sofa and coffee table to do it!

Posts: 221
8/22/11 10:49 P

I was someone who had a gym membership. I went all the time (mainly for the classes) because I had the schedule that allowed me to do it so for me I could justify the cost. After some majors changes I couldn't go half as much as I would like so I dropped it. I then saved that money and bought a treadmill. I still think it was a great investment since I could use any number of excuses not to attend the gym but with that treadmill I can't really!
So I guess you need to weight your options if paying for something your not going to use. See if you can get a month trial membership for free and go like you would normally then break down the cost per day and see if it's an option that would work for you. Also, ask how much they charge per class and attend them as you have time. A lot of clubs have a high fee if you don't stay a year so add that in also. Good luck!

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Posts: 814
8/18/11 11:59 P

Yeah, the classes are the main reason I want to join (besides the pool) and you are right about the times - not all that convenient for workers.

current weight: 381.0

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Posts: 8,645
8/17/11 8:43 A

I don't think there is one answer that fits all on this one. It depends on many things, your level of fitness, interests, schedule, resources at home, budget...

I belonged to Curves for a couple of years and it was great for me at the time, but felt a need to move on and changed gyms. Right now I do not belong to a gym and do not miss it.

That could change.

One of the things I liked best about the gym was the classes, but the classes were not fitting in with my work schedule. I am OK exercising on my own now.

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8/14/11 8:41 A

I have a gym membership covered by my insurance, by the grace of God! I have been a couch potato for about 15 years and I am definitely starting to take advantage of my membership. I also have a short term goal of getting the basic suggestions for a home gym that I read in a SP article for those times where I don't go. I may be buying them one piece at a time but that will be one step closer. I must admit though that I really enjoy using the treadmill. It has many choices for routines!

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Posts: 814
8/10/11 12:22 A

Good idea JLAHEY

current weight: 381.0

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275

SparkPoints: (363)
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Posts: 21
8/8/11 10:50 A

Here are my thoughts. They are MY thoughts and may not work for you, but it works for me. I have a gym membership. Mine is $40 a month and to add my husband was another 419. I use mine, he doesn't use his! What I haven't been in a couple weeks because my schedule has been crazy and not being home, babysitting etc. But I"m getting back in there this week. My gym also includes tanning with membership and they have a zumba class for free. I don't tan and don't go to zumba (yet anyways, maybe when I lose some weight and feel comfortable going I will). But if I go 3 times a week that is 12 times a month. It averages out to $3.33 per trip (sometimes I go more). I don'[t have much space at home to workout and I can always justify the "I'll do it later approach." As frugal as I am and the way I like to save $the gym works better for me because I have to justify spending the money. My sister recently suggested giving myself an allowance to work out so I'm doing that. I have unburied my treadmill at home. I will be starting work again in 2 weeks so I know I don't have 1 1/2 or 2 hours to go to the gym. I figure if I get up in the morning and hit the treadmill there is my cardio. then I can hit the gym 3-5 times a week for some strength training and more cardio. That way the treadmill doesn't go to waste and neither does my gym membership. My husband already gets an allowance (and he just had his gallbladder out 2 weeks ago so he has to wait for the dr to clear him) but I offered to give him another $5 every time he hits the gym as an incentive to get him using his membership too.

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8/7/11 11:40 A

I debated about that as well. I used to have a membersheip several years ago, and also went regularly. And like yourself, I moved and didn't really go as much. But now, I weighed the fact that I sometimes have an irregular daily work schedule, so finding time to do thie gym thing may be difficult. So, I bought some kettlebells and kettlebell dvds and do those almost daily. I also run and/or walk daily. The only cost is the equipment and good running shoes. In order to make myself do it, I offered a challenge to myself to do so many minutes per week. I thought about doing a goal of minutes per month, but its easier to do it weekly.

Good luck!

current weight: 120.2

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Posts: 814
8/7/11 2:00 A

Hi. I am debating about getting a gym membership and guess I just want to think outloud with feeback.
I used to have a membership to 24 hour fitness. When I first got it, I went regularly for about 3 months. Then we moved and it was a bit farther, yada yada. I paid for about a year and cancelled it. I hate exercise and although there are many free options at home/walking around neighborhood, etc., but just have no interest. The one thing I do like is water aerobics/swimming. I also like classes(if I can find one for my schedule).
Anyway, there is a good deal right now at LA fitness, still cost money though.
Thoughts?

current weight: 381.0

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