Fitness center or home gym?

[Eric Hahl]

Currently I don't work out. Never really have in my adult life and its starting to catch up. I have a long commute and mostly just sit at my desk at work so its time to get a regular routine going. I've been thinking about cardio exercise and weather to just purchase an elliptical or something like that or purchase a membership to a fitness center.

I'm curious what's worked best for you and why. Help a guy get over that dreadful hump and into a regular exercise routine.

[IROC]

Home gym - it's way easier (more convenient) to work out at home than to go to a gym. And...you don't really need a "home gym". Push up bars and some assorted dumbells and you you can wear yourself out.

The hardest part is getting going and establishing the habit. I have been working out off and on since 1978, so I'm kind of an exercise person. Obviously not everyone is like me and for many the hard part is just doing something. Start off easy with easily attainable goals and have fun. It will pay off.

[vash]

fitness center for me.

i find the mere act of getting ready and going to a gym more than motivation. at home, i get pretty lazy. (i could never work from home either).

i like sponging energy vibes from all the fit folks around me. especially the hot brazilian girls. j/k.

[VincentVega]

Home can work if you are motivated. You can get in great shape with a bike, running shoes and a pull up bar, if you do it. I like getting to the gym. So much equipment for variation, classes...

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

Currently I don't work out. Never really have in my adult life and its starting to catch up. I have a long commute and mostly just sit at my desk at work so its time to get a regular routine going. I've been thinking about cardio exercise and weather to just purchase an elliptical or something like that or purchase a membership to a fitness center.

I'm curious what's worked best for you and why. Help a guy get over that dreadful hump and into a regular exercise routine.

Home gym.

I keep to a fixed routine, which is essential I think.

I get up at 6am, check email, my calendar and phone messages. Have a cup of coffee and surf the web a bit.

By 00645 I am in the basement. I have a nice stationary bike and a used elliptical machine. I switch between them. I also have a place to stretch and a small assortment of free weights, nothing too Gucci.

All equipment faces a TV, which I watch while I work out: News, weather, sports or Imus.

I stretch, ride the bike or ellip for 30 minutes, quick stretch again and go for a walk.
If it is raining or inclement, I ride for 40 minutes.

I have all the right outer wear on hangars in our mud room if it is cold. I also have walking weights to take with me.

I either do my old guy shuffle/jog or just walk fast for at least a mile.

I am done by 0800, at work by 0830, at least five days out of seven. It is a habit for me now, just something I do.

When I commuted I would just get up earlier. I hate working out in the morning but I found that unless I got up and work out I simply would not...there was always something in the afternoon, an excuse not to.

Good luck!

[Hawkeye's-911T]

Fitness centre for me also & to paraphrase vash, getting there is part of the motivational thing - which reminds me - I've skipped the weigh-in at the "weight loss thread"

[Burnin' oil]

Both. I worked out in a gym for ten years and got too ripped, too shredded, too strong, so I worked out at home for three years or so and got too soft, too gooey, too mooshy, so back to the gym.

I prefer the gym because of the variety of weights and machines. I run so I don't use any cardio machines. I get a much better workout when there is no booze within reach.

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by Burnin' oil

Both. I worked out in a gym for ten years and got too ripped, too shredded, too strong, so I worked out at home for three years or so and got too soft, too gooey, too mooshy, so back to the gym.

I prefer the gym because of the variety of weights and machines. I run so I don't use any cardio machines. I get a much better workout when there is no booze within reach.

What...wait, no booze? How is this possible

[Chocaholic]

I don't work out at all. Just try to stay busy around the house, kids, cars, motorcycle, yard-work, boats, projects. Could never bring myself to devote time and energy to an endeavor that doesn't result in a finished product (outside of fitness, of course). Have tried running, weights, etc., but never stick with it. Guess we're all different. At 54, I'm about 6', 185lbs and in good general health. Drink socially, don't smoke. Suppose it will catch up with me, but for now, I'd rather wash and wax my DD than spend the same 2 hours on a stationary bike!

[Aragorn]

Fitness centers are good if you like being around other people and don't get self conscious when working out. You do occasionally have to wait to use a machine but if the girl is hot you can stare at her without seeming pervy. I don't like the idea of sitting on a warm sometimes moist bench after mongo has done his reps but some people like that. You also have access in most centers to a fitness pro or fitness coach to tailor your workout.

Home gyms are big financial commitment as well as a space hog. In the long run, you save money over the cost of a membership but it takes time. You can also tailor your workouts to what you are trying to accomplish but you are doing it alone.

In the long run they both are about the same money wise but I feel you put more effort in a home gym setup.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Burnin' oil

Both. I worked out in a gym for ten years and got too ripped, too shredded, too strong, so I worked out at home for three years or so and got too soft, too gooey, too mooshy, so back to the gym.

I prefer the gym because of the variety of weights and machines. I run so I don't use any cardio machines. I get a much better workout when there is no booze within reach.

Lol!

[Iciclehead]

Had a home gym for 20 years.....I tend to do my workouts at the end of the day and if I had to get the gumption up to dress, get in the car and go to a gym full of sweaty people and wait for equipment (possibly) I would never do it.

I buy good equipment (have a weight machine, recumbent bike, stationary bike and elliptical), mostly Life Fitness and there is a guilt effect that makes me think that if I invested all that money in those tools I should be using them.

It has worked for me and has paid off.....I suspect I would have paid more to be a member of a fitness club than what I have spent on equipment.

Dennis

[Rick Lee]

I go to Gold's in Scottsdale and pay $25 a month. It'd be pretty hard to build a decent gym in my house for that kind of money. And the gym is across the street from Scottsdale Gun Club, US Autoweapons and the BMW bike dealer. So I get a lot done on those trips. Besides, it's the only time I really am unavailable by phone, it gets me out of the house and I sort of like seeing other people work out. A lot of folks there are great examples of what to be and what not to be.

[RANDY P]

fitness center. Varied equipment, easier to stay motivated, everything is set up already.

You'll outstrip the home gym pretty quickly if boredom doesn't win first....

rjp

[jyl]

I have done both.

Home gym:

For cardio, assuming you can't do it all outside (weather, etc), then one machine is all you need. Elliptical, bike, treadmill are the most common, I think it is just a question of preference, you can get and keep your heart rate up with any of them. But these are all leg-only and cardio-only. I think the best would be a rowing machine, it works legs-core-arms, is a resistance exercise as well as cardio, helps strengthen your back, and depending on resistance chosen can be (doesn't have to be) a much harder workout than any of the above. Buy exercise equipment used.

For resistance, you can do a lot with bodyweight exercises on a piece of mat. Add a pull up bar and a couple sets of gymnastic rings/straps, at waist and ankle height, and you can work nearly every muscle group you'd care to. Then add a couple sets of dumbbells for overhead stuff. This can all cost <$200 and take up very little space.

Gym:

There are so many, ranging from high pressure meat markets to relaxed family places, and the price varies a lot. We belong to a neighborhood gym, $70/mo for the whole family, no contract. At some chains that would be $200.

I like the classes, for instruction and motivation. I go to spin classes weekly, I'd never work that hard on a bike in my basement, and there aren't hot young women in Spandex bobbing on bikes in my basement. I'm going to try yoga, since I know nothing about it, having an instructor will help at lot.

If you go the gym route, maybe launch yourself into it, use a personal trainer and/or sample all the classes for a couple months, learn as much as you can, then decide whether to continue on in the gym or at home.

Oh - another suggestion - join our PPOT weight loss & fitness challenge - see the sticky thread.

[aigel]

I voted for "other": Coming from doing nothing, there is a lot you can do without a home gym or a membership. I'd just start with brisk walks and put a goal (time and or distance every week). Once you have that routine, I'd worry about getting more serious.

Personally I am blessed living in SoCal, so I can always go run or bike. I do have a family gym membership and mainly use it for yoga / strength classes and once a week lap swimming. That said, the majority of my cardio exercise is done with a dog or two on leash cruising the neighborhood or the local hills.

Yes, if you can, get a dog.

Finally, come visit us in the weight loss and fitness challenge thread (sticky in PPOT) and set a goal. Even an easy goal! It works.

G

[Les Paul]

I've been lifting for 45 years. Home gym all the way. As I've gotten older I've retired the big bar as I know a few guys that have lifted forever that have jacked their shoulders up completely. I have pairs of 20, 25, 30, and 40lb dumbbells. A curl bar, a lat pull down machine, and several benches. My workout room is a 20x20 bldg in my back yard my son and one of his bandmates built summer after his 8th grade year so he could turn it up as loud as he wanted for practices. I moved all my stuff out there when he went to college 6 years ago. It still has the main P.A. system that I run my music off my iphone as effing loud as I like without bothering my wife. I have several fans in there because I like to stay cool.

If I were you I'd start with pushups and sit-ups till you can do 20 pushups, 50 sit-ups, and some 25lb dumbbells just to see if you are going to hang in there. Pretty cheap to start then just add stuff. I couldn't survive without working out. That pump still feels good after all these years.

[Macroni]

Love my home gym!

[weseeeee]

LA Fitness for me.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by Les Paul

If I were you I'd start with pushups and sit-ups till you can do 20 pushups, 50 sit-ups, and some 25lb dumbbells just to see if you are going to hang in there. Pretty cheap to start then just add stuff. I couldn't survive without working out. That pump still feels good after all these years.

Good advice!!