Joining a gym?

[pattieice]

I mentioned in the randoms thread that I toured a gym this morning and am trying to decide what to do.

Background: I am currently a SAHM with one kid in school and one still at home. I am done having kids and want to get in shape and feel better about myself. And I could certainly stand to lose 25 pounds.

Pros
Close proximity to home and DS1's school
Childcare for DS2
Nice gym, newer equipment, good classes
Reasonable fees ($50/mo with childcare)

I should also disclose that I have a fully functional treadmill and TV in the basement covered in an inch of dust.

I look at this as a jump start. I am seriously considering adding a weekly private personal training session for an additional $100/month for the first month or two. And I would only ever pay on a month to month basis.

So, wise ladies of MM, if you have a gym membership, do you feel that you get your money's worth? Is it something that you actually use? Or is it more like the Friends episode where Chandler can't quit the gym?

[tacosforlife]

I absolutely get my money's worth. I swim a minimum of 3 times per week, sometimes more. The public pool is free, but I'm paying for convenience. I also lift weights 2 times per week and use the ellipticals and treadmills occasionally.

I pay $70/month and consider it an investment in my sanity and health.

When I start to get really crabby, my H will ask me when the last time I went swimming was.

[v]

I go through phases, but I have been in a very, very off phase with the gym (I go probably once every 2 weeks, if that), which is bad.

My husband goes 5-6 times a week.

So it REALLY depends on the person.

[Deleted]

Yes I go to the gym regularly to lift. My gym is inexpensive but if I had the money, I'd join one that offers more amenities. Right now though my priority is having a gym that's 24 hours a day and close proximity to my house and I'm very happy that I've found that.

[pattieice]

Sept 18, 2014 15:48:12 GMT -5 milsaroo said:

I hate gyms (and I work at one). They can be incredibly helpful, or incredibly dreadful/intimidating. I prefer to join sports leagues for weekly commitments and drop-in classes at nearby yoga studios, or buying a groupon for kickboxing or something.


Sorry if this was not the feedback you're looking for. I will say that even though I don't have kids, $50/month that includes childcare is really nice. Especially if they have a sauna or someplace that you can have "me" time.

Oh I definitely toured the ladies locker room. An uninterrupted, leisurely shower might be worth the 50 bucks alone!

[msmerymac]

I would definitely recommend the personal training sessions. If nothing else, it will keep you accountable for showing up at that time.

[juliabug]

I am a SAHM of 2 toddlers. I go to the gym about 5 times per week. I joke that if I workout I can also shower alone while the kids are at the daycare and that is worth the money to me.

(I had a problem with the ymca I use to attend. You had to sign up for daycare a week in advance so I was never able to get daycare during the popular classes and it was really hard to plan a week in advance with 2 little ones. I quit that gym and found a new one.)

[mich1]

The last few years is the first time I have not had (and used) a gym membership in the last 20 years. One of the things that I discovered was that the more expensive the gym was, the more likely I was to get my use out of it. So the gym membership that I had where I was paying nearly $100/mo for a single membership (on less than $2000/mo take home salary) hurt enough that I used it a LOT.

Another thing that I looked at was the gym membership clientele. When I was looking, there were a lot of gyms that I visited that were pick up joints, and very few people looked like they were there to sweat. Fortunately, there were a few that it seemed like they were mostly professionals who were looking to get into shape. Those gyms didn't always have the best amenities, but IME they were the ones that worked best for me.

[Deleted]

It includes care for ds2? You can't get a babysitter for that, even If you drop him off and go take a long luxurious shower/trip to the steam room in addition to working out.

[scout8]

Yes, I feel I get my money's worth. My gym is on the expensive side, but they have a ton of classes included in the membership. I need the structure of a class to get myself there regularly.

[itsme]

I stopped going to a conventional gym after years of wasting money. I was rarely motivated to go. I started doing Crossfit in the hopes that it would motivate me to continue working out for more than a month at a time here and there. So far I've been going regularly for over a year. It's pricier than the big box gyms I was a member of but because I actually go a few times a week it's worth the money. Downfall is that there is no daycare. They have a room for kids but DD is too small to be alone in there without adult her her older sister's supervision (my oldest is a teen). Because of this I depend on DH and his availability to watch her when I go. I keep my workout schedule the same weekly unless there's a hiccup somewhere and it has to be changed up like if DH has to work overtime. I'm also interested in doing Zumba again but I need to find a place that offers a pay-per-class option and not a monthly membership.

I would opt for a trainer, especially if you aren't sure where to start.

[pattieice]

Sept 18, 2014 16:36:36 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

I get my money's worth plus some.  I go at lunch during the work week, 4-5 days a week.  Sometimes, I'll put in an extra hour in the morning before work.  It is SO WORTH IT.  I shower there and love that place. It's nice and clean.

I also belong to one close to my house that has childcare, for weekends and occasional weekday evenings.

Is it possible to try some group classes before committing to personal training sessions?

Yes, they make it easy to add personal training and other crazy, crossfit like classes at any time. I have a four day pass to check things out next week.

[dexteroni]

I go to the Y, which is cheap ($36 a month) but there are drawbacks. It's an older Y, and is well maintained, but it looks and feels like a 1960s school building, and the facilities are small and basic. But it's the only full-service gym (as opposed to a specific places like yoga and zumba/aerobics studios) within 10 minutes of my house, and that was a key factor. I know I wouldn't go to a gym that was much further away, even if it was a lot nicer.

I definitely get my money's worth now, but I will admit that I let my membership lie dormant for 6 months or so before recommitting to going regularly this summer. I still have to talk myself into going, but I'm always so glad I went afterward, and it's getting easier. I used to hate how worn out and sweaty I felt afterward, but now I kind of enjoy it. It's a hallmark of having had a good, hard workout. I've also found that buying cute workout clothes helps motivate me to go, and so does making playlists of fun songs that I only let myself listen to while I'm at the gym. Signing up for personal training can motivate you too, even more than a group class. Knowing one person is waiting for you seems like it would be more motivating than a class that you can skip pretty easily.

I think $50 a month including babysitting is a great deal. Is there a contract? If not, it can't hurt to give it a shot. Good luck!

[tealblue]

I think it sounds like a great deal! I just joined one (on a family pass with my SIL and our kids) and some weeks I use it more than others. I try to go once a week at a minimum... Sometimes depending on DH's schedule I can make it 3-4. They have childcare but I don't like to use it during the week since DS is in daycare all day. since you SAH, I think you could easily make a few times a week. If you don't get a personal trainer, I would try to set a schedule for yourself: M, W, F from 10-11 or whatever works best for you. Or pick a class or two to make it to each week.

[Susie]

We pay $85/mo for the Y for the two of us. Some months I definitely get my money's worth. Others, not so much. I view it as kinda like the SLs or the phone bill, I don't think about $ per use. I need gym access so I pay for it, fixed expense.

In my case the months I don't use it much, it's more often because I did my workouts outside than because I skipped them entirely. I just looked at my calendar, and the last time I was there was 8/29 - oops, seeing as it's 9/18. Obviously I'm not really getting my $ worth this month, despite working out 3-6 days/week on average (for off season). The use I get is so important though (where else will I swim?) that it's fine.

If you think this $50/mo will help you make an investment in your health, do it. Don't count/dollars workout, think of the lifestyle change it will help you make.

[ddi741]

Definitely agree that it depends on the person. I do T25 at home, 25 minutes, I can do it while dinner is in the oven or laundry is in the washer. If I had to go to the gym, I'd never work out because I could come up with 100 things that needed to be done at home.

[IrishBelle]

For me, I find that I won't workout at home, even if I have all of the equipment. I need to make a point of getting out of the house and going to a gym so a membership is worth it to me.

[pattieice]

Sept 18, 2014 19:17:48 GMT -5 IrishBelle said:

For me, I find that I won't workout at home, even if I have all of the equipment. I need to make a point of getting out of the house and going to a gym so a membership is worth it to me.

God I hope this is me too!

[Deleted]

We used to have gym memberships and never went. I think (at least for me if not H) there is two reasons for this

1. It takes effort and motivation to actually get up and leave the house especially in extreme weather
2. We are both larger people and for me there was self-consciousness that went into working out nest to the obviously super fit women.

We have gym equipment in the basement and use it about 3 times per week. I also do kickboxing 2-3 times per week and H does martial arts.

[Deleted]

I HATE going to the gym but I go....because I pay for it and there is no way I am handing over money to belong and then not use the place!

If I didn't belong, I'd be a FAT bump on a log.

[wavepool]

Finally found a gym (y) that I love and has great daycare, so I actually enjoy going. Mine is the same price and I think it's definitely worth it. It's fun to go at the same time every day because there are all the others who go at the same time or same classes and the daycare ladies know O. Plus, I can watch tv if I use a cardio machine and sometimes just sit in a chair for a few minutes and read a magazine:) worth it!!

Oh, and I also have a treadmill and workout dvds at home, but the only exercise I get at home is walk/jog outside. The gym is better for me than working out at home.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using proboards

[mrshandy]

I haven't been a member of a gym for a while since we moved to Springfield. I'm a runner. I've just been running outside and we got a treadmill last year for when I can't run outside.

I would like to diversify my workout a little so I joined a gym a few months ago that will be opening soon close to my place. I'll be going for the classes, weight lifting and maybe the pool. It's only $20/mo but had a $200 enrollment fee.

I would definitely have some kind of plan instead of just going and playing around on the equipment. You'll get a lot more impact for the time you put in. It's easy to get lost in a gym and not really know what will work best for you. Either do the personal trainer or try to follow some kind of regimen. I really love the New Rules of Lifting for Women.

Good luck! While I love running, I've actually found that diet has more of an impact on weight loss. So you might think about changing your diet as well.

[pattieice]

Sept 19, 2014 7:15:14 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

I haven't been a member of a gym for a while since we moved to Springfield. I'm a runner. I've just been running outside and we got a treadmill last year for when I can't run outside.

I would like to diversify my workout a little so I joined a gym a few months ago that will be opening soon close to my place. I'll be going for the classes, weight lifting and maybe the pool. It's only $20/mo but had a $200 enrollment fee.

I would definitely have some kind of plan instead of just going and playing around on the equipment. You'll get a lot more impact for the time you put in. It's easy to get lost in a gym and not really know what will work best for you. Either do the personal trainer or try to follow some kind of regimen. I really love the New Rules of Lifting for Women.

Good luck! While I love running, I've actually found that diet has more of an impact on weight loss. So you might think about changing your diet as well.

You hit the nail on the head. I need a plan. I would absolutely be wandering around the gym with no clue. I could see myself sticking to the treadmill and maybe a few "easy" classes simply because I don't really know how to lift weights. I haven't been in a gym since high school.

And I am on week #3 of changing my diet. I've cut out the junk that I used to eat after the kids go to bed and am trying to eliminate the processed stuff. I already feel better. I wanted to get a handle on my eating before I added in exercise.

[mrshandy]

Sept 19, 2014 7:30:41 GMT -5 pattieice said:

Sept 19, 2014 7:15:14 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

I haven't been a member of a gym for a while since we moved to Springfield. I'm a runner. I've just been running outside and we got a treadmill last year for when I can't run outside.

I would like to diversify my workout a little so I joined a gym a few months ago that will be opening soon close to my place. I'll be going for the classes, weight lifting and maybe the pool. It's only $20/mo but had a $200 enrollment fee.

I would definitely have some kind of plan instead of just going and playing around on the equipment. You'll get a lot more impact for the time you put in. It's easy to get lost in a gym and not really know what will work best for you. Either do the personal trainer or try to follow some kind of regimen. I really love the New Rules of Lifting for Women.

Good luck! While I love running, I've actually found that diet has more of an impact on weight loss. So you might think about changing your diet as well.

You hit the nail on the head. I need a plan. I would absolutely be wandering around the gym with no clue. I could see myself sticking to the treadmill and maybe a few "easy" classes simply because I don't really know how to lift weights. I haven't been in a gym since high school.

And I am on week #3 of changing my diet. I've cut out the junk that I used to eat after the kids go to bed and am trying to eliminate the processed stuff. I already feel better. I wanted to get a handle on my eating before I added in exercise.

It sounds like you're on right track. At least check out the New Rules book from the library. I had never done free weights before (only machines occasionally) and I found it pretty easy to use and saw results. The exercises are pretty simple and you can start at any level.

[tacosforlife]

FYI re: New Rules of Lifting. If you haven't been lifting before and you're concerned about your starting strength, you can consider doing the first two days of squats with just bodyweight and the first two days of deadlifts with a curl bar (lighter weight that the big Olympic bar you normally use...you can't really deadlift bodyweight). Going from lifting nothing to deadlifting an Olympic bar is a pretty big jump, IME.

[cinco]

I love my gym! I pay $29 a month plus $14/month for unlimited childcare. I take DD2 a few times a week, and it is well worth it. She has a blast, and I get a bit of a break and a work out. Classes can be really fun and cater to all levels.

[heliocentric]

I belonged to and frequented gyms for years. Since then I've transitioned to working out at home. For someone just getting (re)started, I think a gym is great because it gives you variety. I've learned over the years that I despise a lot of common gym activities (treadmill walking/running, elliptical). Yet, having the option to try classes, weight lifting, and other forms of cardio helped me find activities I truly enjoy instead of just giving up. Then when I did decide to buy equipment for home I knew exactly what I wanted (spin bike, weights) and what to avoid (treadmill).

That was long-winded, but yes I think it's worth it to try a gym.

[itsme]

Sept 19, 2014 7:39:19 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

FYI re: New Rules of Lifting. If you haven't been lifting before and you're concerned about your starting strength, you can consider doing the first two days of squats with just bodyweight and the first two days of deadlifts with a curl bar (lighter weight that the big Olympic bar you normally use...you can't really deadlift bodyweight). Going from lifting nothing to deadlifting an Olympic bar is a pretty big jump, IME.

I agree about NROLFW however I think it's good to have a trainer when you get a little further in the book to help with technique.  I had no clue what the heck a jerk was and how to even do it properly until I had a trainer show me.  I tried YouTube videos but still wasn't sure I was doing it right.   

[Deleted]

We definitely get our money's worth; DH alone goes up to 4x per week. The only time we haven't had a gym membership during the last 10+ years is when we had a gym in our building. I run, so I tend to use it more during crappy weather but DH lifts weights year-round even when he does cardio stuff outside.

I think this is one of those can't-hurt-to-try things; just make sure you read the fine print very carefully. Some gyms have some shady cancelation policies.

[megstoo]

I had a gym membership and just stopped going (all classes were free, pool free, free childcare etc). I ended up paying $40 a month for something I never used - I made the mistake of paying for the entire year up front. I tried the classes and got bored, I did the equipment and got bored, I tried to pool and was bored.

I ended up finding a bootcamp that was almost 4 times the price ($180/month) but it's something I enjoy, the trainer pushes you to your limit and then pushes you more - the fitness programs at the gym just were not hard enough and didn't work well if you had injuries, and if I worked out on my own there was noone in the weights section to help with form etc. Granted it's not MM but I'd rather spend more for something I'm going to use than spend the money and never use it. My trainer for bootcamp has gotten me to do things I didn't know I was capable of and I've seen more results with him in 1 month than I did in 1 year at a gym.