I’ve been a little surprised at how many people are responding in the other gym-themed threads we’ve had lately. I guess I’ve always thought going to a gym was a somewhat unusual thing to do (I mean, going somewhere to exercise on purpose! That’s just bizarre.)
It’s certainly nothing I ever expected to do, but I did join a gym about two months ago. My fiancé asked me to join so that we could go together, which would help to motivate him. I’ve been going once a week, and though it’s hard to drag myself out of the house, I always enjoy it once I get there. At this rate, I doubt I’m getting many physical benefits but I’m definitely getting mental ones.
So, tell me…if you go to a gym, what caused you to join, what kind of stuff do you do there, what are your goals, do you have any interesting anecdotes…talk to me about your experiences.
I got a gym because, in Michigan, 6 months of the year are usually too cold or too rainy to excercise outside (ie running, outdoor sports, etc) and I can go and get my excercise whenever I feel like it (as long as the gym is open).
Sports and stuff usually require that several individuals coordinate their schedules, and running requires decent weather and a place to do it. My gym is within walking distance of the house, and has all sorts of equipment.
As for what I’m doing? Trying to lose a few extra lbs I have put on, and trying to get back some of the strength I have lost from being at a desk job for 10 years. You don’t realize how much doing actual work for a living does for you until you, er, don’t do it for an extended period.
I’m running (if I’ve waited logn enough after eating), biking, and using the elliptical machine, and lifting freeweights or using a machine for my strength training. I am trying to get there 4 times a week, but sometimes the schedule just doesn’t accomodate that.
I do. I joined because the gym is in the same building as my work, and my work cut a deal to get their employees a 50% discount on the monthly fee. So far I only do 30 minute cardio workouts because that’s all I have time for and my goal is to keep my heart healthy as I slip gracefully into middle age.
The only interesting anecdote I have is as follows:
One day, I walking out of the locker room on my way to hit the elliptical machine, when in walked Magic Johnson. Now, the gym has Magic Johnson’s name on it, and a bunch of his memorabilia in glass cases scattered around, so it wasn’t a total shock to see him. Still, I never expected to see him in the flesh. Despite all that, I was quite proud of how I reacted.
I grinned and said, “Hey there! How are you?” As if we both worked at the same place and I hadn’t seen him around for a couple of weeks. He responded in kind, and we passed each other and that was it.
I started about two months ago too. Well, I should say re-started. I injured my shoulder a year and a half ago because I NEVER exercised and then in the spring I do lots of yard work…instant INJURY! I did some physical therapy for awhile then got into a routine of aerobic exercise and lifting. My shoulder got better. Then I stopped going to the gym (crazy life schedule).
After several months my shoulder started hurting again - so I got off my butt once again and have been going 5 times a week - MWF I do aerobic and lifting on upper body - TR I do lifting for lower body and abs/lower back. It really makes me feel SOOOOOO much better - I started to get my shoulder strengthened - but I am continuing (hopefully through the winter) because it also gives me a HUGE energy boost for the day and helps lift my depression significantly.
Better than drugs. Woo Hoo!
and it gives me an excuse to eat junk food in the afternoon - well - I DID exercise!
No. I hate going to the gym. Hate. It. Too much crap to lug around, gotta drive or train to get there, look at disgusting bare-ass-naked man-bodies in the shower every fucking night, wait in line for machines, listen to fat, hairy frat boys bellow at each other in the weight room, smell of chlorine, other people’s festering sweat on the seat, etc., etc.
So I bit the bullet and bought some gym equipment: A small universal weight machine, and an elliptical trainer. I painted the foor of my basement, put down some rubber mats, set these puppies up, and now I’m a happy man.
Same here in Illinois. Just to make sure I can get a work out in and/or don’t get bored, I have a gym membership, a room dedicated to equipment/video workouts, and of course, outside options. And I really do all three. I need lots of variety…I think that’s my main thing. The main reason I like belonging to a gym are the variety of classes I can take and the ability to use the swimming pool. It’s also a nice place to go if I want to do something and not spend any additional money.
I’m not constantly working out though, about 4-5 times a week, I just like variety.
I had planned to give up my gym membership once I got my own exercise room set up, and my membership doesn’t expire until April, so I have some time to think about it. But I just might keep it if I can afford it…
Looking back, I see in my OP that I proudly mentioned going to the gym 5 days per week. About a year ago, that began to peter out as I began running more, and these days I run 30-35 miles per week, but I do zero weight training. The gym is still great because it offers a place to run during the winter, at night, or whenever I don’t have time to get to the trail where I run outside.
I used to belong to a gym and my goals were common ones: to keep weight off and look more toned. I mostly lifted weights and did a little cardio (usually half an hour). I felt weird and awkward when I first started so I started reading everything I could about weight training and buying the muscle mags. I kept going and learning and eventually realized I did know what I was doing.
Then I started rowing and my goals changed. I lifted more for sports specific strength and used to rowing machine to supplement my training. At this time, I was at school so I had ready access to the great college gyms and could sneak away to work out between classes.
Now days, I never go to the gym. With a real job, other activities, and rowing practice five or so days a week, I just don’t have time and I’m already getting a pretty good workout. I do occasionally do a little weight work with the rusty old dumb bells we have at the rowing club but nothing organized. I kinda miss regular weight training…
I do, although actually I hate going. But I HAVE to get my weight down, and keep my cardio and endurance in decent shape, and walking or jogging kills my poor arthritic back and banged up knees, so the best way for me is to use the low-impact elliptical machines, stationary bikes, etc. Also the gym has a pool, and swimming is actually the only form of exercise I somewhat enjoy.
No, I’ve never been to a gym, not even the one in high school. I don’t even know what the inside of one looks like.
I ride my bike for a couple of miles every weekday, and walk a lot. But I don’t have any weight to lose, nor any ladies to impress, nor any desire to be in varying stages of pain 24-7 to get into a condition that goes away rapidly if you stop exercising.
I had a gym membership when a former employer picked up the tab, but I never found it to be very convenient, despite the fact that they were open 24 hours. Just the trip over there made it not worth my while.
I have a weight bench, some free weights, and a pedal exerciser that doubles as a recumbent bike and upper body ergometer. I also have a very good low-impact aerobics video specifically designed for larger women. I also have two high schools a very short distance away, a city-run bike/jogging path, and have marked out 1 mile, 2 mile, and 3 mile routes around my neighborhood. I’m covered no matter how much or how little time I have, and no matter what the weather is.
When I was going to the gym, I was lucky if I found time to go twice a week.
Now, I get some sort of exercise nearly every day.
I never lost a single pound going to the gym.
I’ve lost 40 pounds with my home set-up. Okay, okay, I’ve been taking Trim Spa, too, but the fact remains that I’m getting much more exercise now than when I had a gym membership.
I was never a gym person, Dung Beetle. I was kind of nervous about stepping into a gym. But when I was young and in college, I lived in a hilly area and hardly anyone had a car–I stayed in shape by living my life and didn’t need a gym. Then I got a job and started living in a tiny little shop for 8 hours a day, and along with that job came really bad tension headaches. I found out that if I didn’t get enough exercise, I felt terrible.
So, after my first baby was born, I was getting the headaches and finding it hard to exercise enough. Also it’s really hot here in the summer, not much good for vigorous walks or anything. I finally took the plunge and joined a gym, and discovered that I quite enjoyed it. Now I try to go 3x a week, ha ha, the kids always thwart me, but that’s my goal.
Here’s the things I like to do: ellipticals, StairMaster, treadmill, bicycle, or swimming. Then I always do some weights after that. I have to have a book; it’s too boring otherwise.
Mainly I want to feel good and be reasonably strong. Losing some weight would be great too, but for that I’ll have to make it 3x a week or so, like I want.
Not a gym, but I have a membership at a yoga studio. I joined because I felt like I had gone as far as I could with videos and I wanted some guidance and interaction. I keep going because I love it. The studio is very soothing, and the workouts make me feel wonderful physically and mentally. I go about four times a week.
For cardio exercise, I walk/hike and dance. I’ll use our treadmill in the basement when I have to, but it’s definitely a last resort. I want to get some snowshoes so I can cut the treadmill time even more this winter.
I go mainly because it gives structure to my workouts, and if I don’t have that I slack off in a big way. Fortunately, there’s a good place right between the train station and my house. It has good facilities and usually isn’t too crowded.
It’s made a big difference: I’ve lost 15 pounds over the last three months, and have gone from barely being able to run 3km to being able to run 10k on regular basis.
I go to a gym about two to four times a week (closer to two if it’s nice outside and I can run there, closer to four if I can’t). I joined my gym because I’ve always worked out, I don’t have room for my own weights and I got a really good deal on my membership. I’ve been going to the same gym for seven years and I’ve trained there for three marathons, I’ve lifted weights and done a lot of lap swimming.
Since I’m pregnant, I’ve slowed down a little bit. I still work out four times a week, but I usually jog slowly or walk, or I use an elliptical trainer and the stairmaster (but on a low setting). I sometimes lift weights, too, but only light ones on my arms and legs. I’m planning to start replacing a couple workouts a week with swimming soon - I imagine that in a couple of months it’ll be more comfortable to work out that way instead of doing weight-bearing exercise.
My earlier goal was to lose weight, but my current goal is to keep fit during my pregnancy, both for my sake and the baby’s.
I can think of several interesting anecdotes, but they’re pretty long and involved. I think it’s sufficient to say a) don’t try to pick up women when they’re in their swimsuits trying to swim laps and b) if you must dangle from the arm rails of the stairmaster, don’t try to talk to the person next to you. You will fall off. And the person next to you just might start laughing.
I can’t believe it! My pedal exerciser broke tonight, right in the middle of my lower body! The tension suddenly quit working, which is strange since it’s magnetic. I tried to take it apart but can’t get the pedal crankarms off. Can’t see anyting obviously wrong with it.
Jeez, this is how I got my upper body cardio. This bites the big one. :mad: :mad:
I’d rather just run on the trails in the mountains, but my knees disagree with that. And I figure that, with the amount I’m paying for tuition here? I sure as hell am going to use every single benefit I get from it.