What do you do at the gym?

[katespade]

I realize this sounds like a stupid question, but I'm asking anyway.
If you work out at a gym, what do you do while you're there? (Classes, machines, cardio, working with a trainer, etc.) Also, how often do you go?


I'm trying to decide if a gym membership would be worthwhile for me. I could join H's gym for $29/month.

[wanderingenough]

I'm a class person. I actually just joined a classes only type place because that's all I care about. You can still go in between classes and work out on your own, but there isn't traditionally treadmills and that kind of stuff.

Basically I want to have a set time to get in and get out. I want someone else to tell me what to do. And I want a place where people will notice if I'm not there and/or slacking.

[pooh8402]

Not that I'm part of a gym right now, but I am also a class person. I'm not self motivated at all. I like zumba, yoga, hip hop dance, stuff like that. I also like crossfit style, but with an instructor who actually knows what they're doing and the class size isn't so big that they can't pay attention to form or whether someone is struggling (that was the issue at my last gym). Majority women or all women makes me feel better too.

[katespade]

Okay, it's good to hear that it wouldn't be crazy for me to join the gym mostly for the classes. They have all sorts of classes, like Zumba, body strength, yoga, spinning, and HIIT. They also have crossfit, but that costs extra and H is very anti-crossfit.

[katespade]

In comparison, the cheapest yoga studio in the area is $88/month or $12/class. Cost is a big part of why I've been doing yoga at home instead of going to a studio.

[awick14]

I sometimes run around the indoor track they have, or use the treadmill.

But I usually go to classes, or I swim some laps.

For $29/month I would do it. The classes are so worth it.

[estrellita]

I used to go to LA Fitness mostly for classes (mostly yoga). I loved it! I belong to the gym at work now and barely use it but when I do it's to walk on the treadmill. We get 2 free personal training sessions a week so when I finally motivate myself to go back, I like working out with a trainer. When I did that previously, I did a variety of things - using machines, kettle bells (trainer I had was cross fit certified so we used these a lot), free weights, pretty much everything. I loved my trainer because she would push me, help me with the correct form, but she was also understanding if I needed to modify something.

[CrazyLucky]

I use the weights and the treadmill or elliptical. They don't really have much for classes. They do have the 30 minute workout, which is nice when I'm in a hurry.

[chachacha]

I have 2 memberships.

One gym is a group training set up where you go & trainers have you do circuits/cross training so there's no need to really plan a workout - they do it for you. I just need to show up (the hard part!)

Other gym is more typical with machines, free weights, etc. I use that for the treadmill if I'm unable to run outside due to weather.

[wanderingenough]

No, not crazy at all--especially as you are getting into working out. Ditto pooh8402 that it's best to find the classes where the instructors can actually pay attention to your form. I make a point to try and figure out a schedule and go consistently at the same days and times. Pretty quickly the instructor and the regulars will know your name and what your strengths and weaknesses are. That is SUCH a huge help when you are getting into working out, especially if you aren't going with a friend or spouse. I haven't even been at my new gym a month and my instructors already will be like "where were you Tuesday?" -- "what did you have for lunch, you don't seem to have much energy today?" That kind of thing.

[wineandcheese]

I don't have a membership now since I've been slowly buying equipment to use at home. When I did go I would pick a form of cardio, usually the elliptical, treadmill or stationary bike and do that or in total to 30-45 minutes. I would sometime so all 3 just so I didn't get bored.

As for strength training I would alternate upper and lower body workouts. I did core/back exercises every workout. I would do a combinations of the weight machines and free weights. I would also make sure I did stretches prior and after each workout. They had mats and a bunch posters with stretch ideas.