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[triplestation]

I am thinking about joining a gym after believing for so long that they were a waste of money because you can do all of what you need right at home. (keeping a good diet, getting moderate exercise by walking and commuting) And of course, before gyms were even a thing people still managed to be healthy.

But I'm just often bored to death at home all the time, I do nothing all day but sit and browse the internet and jerk off. So maybe getting away from home and going to the gym can be a mental benefit, too. Maybe it can be refreshing. Gyms seem to have become real popular in the last decade but what does NON-GYM Gaf think about gyms?

 

[CrankyJay]

They're worth it if you're the type of person (like me) who will find an excuse not to work out at home.

 

[WorldStar]

Absolutely.

Best $12.50/month I've ever spent.

I used to work out from home, but given that I lift heavy I can't have my ideal setup at home until I move out of this small ass apartment the gym is the best option for me.

Some day I will have a home gym. Some day...

 

[triplestation]

Absolutely.

Best $12.50/month I've ever spent.

awhat

your shit must be crowded as fuck homie

 

[Sendou]

Sounds like it could be a worth a shot for you. There's stuff you can't do at home but you can at gym.

 

[Stumpokapow]

what do you want to do

what kind of gyms are in your local area

do you have equipment at home or other non-gym fitness options

how much money do you have to spend on lifestyle expenses

do you have the willpower to go

 

[Deleted member 47027]

Gyms are worth it if you will use it. Depends on the price, make sure they have barbells.

 

[kirblar]

They're worth it if you're the type of person (like me) who will find an excuse not to work out at home.

That's almost everyone. On Shark Tank they'd regularly throw out the statistic on how much gym equipment sits around unused at home after use. (It was really high.)

 

[WorldStar]

awhat

your shit must be crowded as fuck homie

I go to 24 Hour Fitness. It is surprisingly non-crowded, especially if you go any time other than right after people get off work.

I also edited my above post to reflect the fact that I wish I could work out from home, but as things currently are a gym is the most ideal choice for me.

 

[BossLackey]

Well, I don't have a membership, but from what you're describing, I'd definitely say there would be benefits to getting a gym membership. I'm not against them by any means, I just do body-weight fitness. It's fuckin hard.

 

[Himynameischris]

Only if you go..otherwise it's a giant waste of money

 

[Randolph Freelander]

Yeah, if you go.

No, if you don't.

 

[Bay Maximus]

If they have what you need and you are honestly willing to go then yes. I pay about 70/month and it's worth it as it's a top notch gym that I go to 5-6 days per week.

 

[Salvor.Hardin]

I recently started weight training with a personal trainer at a gym. It's a bit expensive but I thought a month or two with a trainer would help me understand the correct postures and get me into the rhythm of scheduled exercises before I feel comfortable to continue on my own.

So far I'm really enjoying it. I don't think I'll be making any gym buddies because I'm not much to loiter around during my work out.

 

[Necrovex]

I'm thinking about signing up at my local YMCA. $40 a month. I have been wanting to get back into yoga, and it has a ton of programs; plus it has a ton of weights. I get enough cardio in at my part-time job (warehouse work), but I need to work on my upper-body.

I would say search on the internet for a good gym. The YMCA certainly wouldn't be a bad choice. Just see if you have one, and check it out.

I'm a little curious if any Gaffers are part of their local YMCA?

 

[Octavion Rex]

do you have the willpower to go

This is a huge part of it honestly.

 

[Bomber Bob]

annoying people

 

[Raptomex]

I'd rather buy my own equipment than pay a fee.

 

[Malvolio]

My complex has a gym which I use in the winter and bad weather, but honestly I enjoy being active outdoors so much more. Working out in the gym is more of necessary evil for me rather than something I enjoy. However, if you are looking to add muscle and not just stay fit, then a gym membership is pretty much required.

 

[Cudder]

Of course it's worth it. You can obviously be a healthy human being by watching your diet and doing cardio, but if you actually want to put on some muscle, then yes, join a gym.

 

[SeanR1221]

You should have an idea/goals in mind before joining. Don't get caught in fuckarounditis mode.

 

[massoluk]

To tell you the truth, I paid my gym membership to have access to bathroom and shower rooms all around NY and NJ area (NYSC), nifty if you want to jog at Central Park. Also keep me motivated, been going there 5-6 times a week, don't want to waste that money.

 

[WorldStar]

annoying people

I find the average gym goer to be much less annoying than the average person I run into outside of the gym.

I might be alone on this one though.

 

[Dany]

I find the average gym goer to be much less annoying than the average person I run into outside of the gym.

I might be alone on this one though.

Same, there are no cliche's at my gym really. Everyone is nice and friendly once you learn your way around the weight room.

 

[Hyunkel6]

One of the best decisions I made. It takes a lot of work, but the results are worth it.

 

[Minamu]

I love it once I finally go there. Getting the motivation to keep on going regularly is the hardest part for me. Any tips on that? I don't really care about the results so getting a buff body, while nice, isn't enough of an incentive for me.

 

[HalfBakedProphet]

.

 

[dubq]

Invest in some kettlebells and do it at home.

 

[The Horror the horror]

Depends.

If you live in a shitty apartment like mine and can't bring in your own equipment, what else you going to do? If, however, you have the space for:

1.) Multiple dumbbells
2.) Squat cage
3.) Adjustable bench

Then you should get those instead. You'll save a lot of money in the end, plus you'll have no real excuse to miss out on a workout (unless you're sick/injured).

 

[WorldStar]

I love it once I finally go there. Getting the motivation to keep on going regularly is the hardest part for me. Any tips on that? I don't really care about the results so getting a buff body, while nice, isn't enough of an incentive for me.

I probably sound like a broken record here, but I find it gets easier and easier each time you go.

So I guess my suggestion is to make a schedule an try to stick to it. Once you miss even a single session, I find it becomes dramatically more difficult to motivate yourself to go again. If you miss 2 sessions, it becomes even more difficult.

On the other hand, if you have been going regularly for even a few months, it becomes second nature after a while and you find that making yourself go doesn't require a whole lot of convincing.

Also having friends who also lift can help. A lot.

 

[triplestation]

I'd rather buy my own equipment than pay a fee.

Depends.

If you live in a shitty apartment like mine and can't bring in your own equipment, what else you going to do? If, however, you have the space for:

1.) Multiple dumbbells
2.) Squat cage
3.) Adjustable bench

Then you should get those instead. You'll save a lot of money in the end, plus you'll have no real excuse to miss out on a workout (unless you're sick/injured).

i have 2 20 pound dumbbells

good diet and basic pushups/lunges have worked damn well for me.. i have gotten amazing results with just that, i got real lean with good deal of muscle too

but i guess my problem is just boredom..

 

[HalfBakedProphet]

Especially worth it if the gym has a pool or basketball courts. I loved my membership to 24 hour fitness because I had shitty work hours and they were open at 2 am when I had free time.

I use the workout facility at my college now, but they fucking close by 9pm. Sucks

 

[Bay Maximus]

I love it once I finally go there. Getting the motivation to keep on going regularly is the hardest part for me. Any tips on that? I don't really care about the results so getting a buff body, while nice, isn't enough of an incentive for me.

Well that's kind of like asking for motivational tips to go to a restaurant when you're not hungry. If you don't care about the results I'm sure there are better ways to spend your time. I'm not particularly fond of weight training but I do it solely for the results.

 

[sixteen-bit]

only if you go

 

[Imm0rt4l]

YES

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

I know some really fit people that just work out with their bodyweight and do some amazing shit.

Gym is there for more accessible ways of doing exercise, and spending money will make you want not to waste it.

 

[RukusProvider]

Burnt myself out on a traditional gym many years ago.

Then moved onto a Boxing gym which was quite fun but then I have to physically move.

Now I rely on HIIT videos like Insanity which I really enjoy. I never want to do another bench press.....

 

[WorldStar]

i have 2 20 pound dumbbells

good diet and basic pushups/lunges have worked damn well for me.. i have gotten amazing results with just that, i got real lean with good deal of muscle too

but i guess my problem is just boredom..

Not trying to hate/nitpick, but there is no way in hell you got a "good deal of muscle" using 2 20 lb dumbbells.

2 20 lb dumbbells will only get you so far my friend.

 

[Visceir]

Went to the gym 4x a week last year for three months. Then got distracted and was rather tired of the diet, constant eating and stuffing my face and forgot about it. Started again now 3 weeks ago and not planning to stop anytime soon.

Always liked going to the gym, pushing myself and seeing the results. Became more friendly with the other regulars there which also made things nice. It will definitely have a (positive) mental effect on you, especially if you're just dicking around right now.

Would definitely recommend you to do some research and set up a workout plan for yourself before you go though. And make sure you've got proper form and don't injure yourself.

 

[SeanR1221]

I love it once I finally go there. Getting the motivation to keep on going regularly is the hardest part for me. Any tips on that? I don't really care about the results so getting a buff body, while nice, isn't enough of an incentive for me.

This is why people need set goals. Going in blind or to just "train back and bis" leads to boredom and not knowing what to do.

Any good program will have you hitting a specific weight for a certain amount of reps, and then increasing that weight so you see progress.

Trust me, I used to do 5 years of fucking around.

Not trying to hate/nitpick, but there is no way in hell you got a "good deal of muscle" using 2 20 lb dumbbells.

2 20 lb dumbbells will only get you so far my friend.

I was thinking the same.

 

[StickSoldier]

I have to spend $40 a month, but I can't get the equipment any other way. No room at the house to put a bench press, squat rack, and a large amount of dumbbells. But yes, I absolutely think it's worth joining if you can continue to make yourself go. Most people end up joining, go like three times, then stop.

 

[DominoKid]

Avoid the Globo Gyms if you actually want to enjoy it.

 

[MisterLuffy]

It should be, I need to go to a gym one of these days.

 

[dubq]

Not trying to hate/nitpick, but there is no way in hell you got a "good deal of muscle" using 2 20 lb dumbbells.

2 20 lb dumbbells will only get you so far my friend.

You have no idea what his "before" is, though. If he was skinny as hell, or was very out of shape, then yes, 20lbs x2 can yield a great deal of muscular development depending on what he's doing.

 

[wenis]

If you want the equipment and the people experience, sure.

I've found I'm much happier with my long jogs, body weight exercises and light free weight work.

 

[Vio-Lence]

only if you do starting strength.

 

[Minamu]

I probably sound like a broken record here, but I find it gets easier and easier each time you go.

So I guess my suggestion is to make a schedule an try to stick to it. Once you miss even a single session, I find it becomes dramatically more difficult to motivate yourself to go again. If you miss 2 sessions, it becomes even more difficult.

On the other hand, if you have been going regularly for even a few months, it becomes second nature after a while and you find that making yourself go doesn't require a whole lot of convincing.

Also having friends who also lift can help. A lot.

Yeah I might do that for the summer. I do have friends who go there, they introduced me to it, but they're gone for the summer now (uni). So far our schedule has been pretty erratic.

Well that's kind of like asking for motivational tips to go to a restaurant when you're not hungry. If you don't care about the results I'm sure there are better ways to spend your time. I'm not particularly fond of weight training but I do it solely for the results.

Haha yeah I suppose you have a point there. Part of it is probably just laziness for me. I enjoy myself greatly when I get there, lifting weights is strangely enough pretty fun for some reason. Getting my ass out the door to go there is not as fun.

 

[massoluk]

My stupid trick I used that get myself to gym in the morning for the past 6 months: I don't have any shampoo at home. If I want to to wash my hair, I have to go to the gym.

 

[abuC]

Best money I ever spent.

 

[Gawge]

Depends on circumstance.

Often they are. Whether because of better equipment, or as a pure motivational tool.