Health Club vs. In-home Equipment

[Polly Nomial]

Help me decide.

[micaelagb]

I was much more consistent with my exercise when I was going to a gym. It's too easy to skip workouts when you do them at home (although Gretchen's idea of doing them early in the morning is one I'm going to try!). If you can fit it into your schedule, going to a gym is much better, I think.

[Gretchen]

This is probably going to be a long post but...

You have to think about your habits, and what you're likely to do.

For me, a gym is not really an option for a few reasons:
1. I really don't like taking time away from my family. If I have to drive somewhere and back, then the whole workout thing is taking longer than if I just do it at home.
2. Unless you do it on the way to work and don't shower before hand, you're spending even more time because you're doing double showers each day. And if you do it on the way to work, then you've got the whole issue of having to schlep work clothes, makeup, etc. to the gym with you every day - a royal pain!
3. I'm just not very comfortable working out with others around. I'm sure I could get used to it, but decided not to try.
4. For me, the most likely 'gym' would be the fitness center at work. I don't like that option because I can't come in any earlier than I already do in the mornings (I already drop my kids off as soon as day care opens), so would have to stay later in the day - again, taking time away from family. Plus, it's bad enough working out with total strangers, but I think it would be worse with people I work with (do you really want a high up seeing you in your work out clothes? I'd prefer to skip that, thank you very much!).


Pros to the gym:

1. They have lots of kinds of equipment, so if you're going to want to do different things (either because you get bored, or because you're trying to work specific areas), you can do it all at one place.
2. As far as I know (not ever actually having joined a gym) they all have personal trainers around that you can hire. Don't know if personal trainers are as likely to work with you at home, especially if you have very limited equipment.


So I have opted for the at home equipment. I use an elliptical; pros and cons are basically the opposite of those for the gym, but I'll throw in a couple more comments:
1. If you like to watch TV, at home you can choose whatever you want to watch, rather than what someone else has selected.
2. You need to pick some equipment that will work for you. I like the elliptical because it is weight-bearing, but non-impact; it makes you move your whole body (which I try to turn into a pseudo-dance movement); it goes at whatever speed you go, rather than what it is 'set' at like a treadmill would. That helps in the whole 'pseudo-dance' thing. Also, if I am more tired than usual some days, then I can go a little slower, without trying to figure out a different setting - I just do it.

If you haven't used home equipment before but decide to go that route, I would suggest getting something relatively low cost to make sure you'll actually use it. Then if you do, you might replace it with a better grade model in 6 months or so; but if you don't keep up with it, you haven't wasted a bunch of money on something that just collects dust.

[ACCtuary]

For any cardio equipment you might be tempted to purchase, Gym equipment is a much higher quality than what you'll get even in the $1000 price point. And once I'm at that price point, I think, heck, I'll just go to the gym. Probably have to get near $2K for a *solid* treadmill.

However, you can outfit a decent home gym with a bench, dumbbells, a second hand Schwinn Aerodyne bike for under $1000. The Aerodyne is great for basements because it circulates the air! Of course, also get a stability ball and a mat.

[thing]

This is not a one-size-fits-all question. As ACCtuary points out, you're not going to want to purchase a gym-quality elliptical machine.

But if you're interested primarily in free weights, you can deck yourself out very nicely for the price of a one-year gym membership. Also there are quite good cardio options for home that don't cost a lot of money. At the extreme: a jump-rope will run you <$10, and give you a tougher workout than most machines. Walking & jogging are excellent cardio workouts that don't require a gym.

On the other hand, if you have an interest in fitness classes, I don't think even a good library of exercise videos can ever match the variety you'll get at most gyms. Or if you really want a variety of machines... There's also the social aspect. I'm not outgoing enough to say I ever met new friends through a gym membership, but when I went to one I did at least "know by sight" a lot more people.

Personally I'm an at-home guy primarily. I've used the fitness center at work consistently in the past, but right now I'd rather take a walk at lunch than change, use the elliptical, and change again. At home I've got a decent set of free weights, an archaic exercise bike, a jump rope, and some running shoes. Spouse owns ~20 hours worth of exercise videos/DVDs.

[Roto]

I was much more consistent with my exercise when I was going to a gym. It's too easy to skip workouts when you do them at home (although Gretchen's idea of doing them early in the morning is one I'm going to try!). If you can fit it into your schedule, going to a gym is much better, I think.

Could not have said it better myself.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Help me decide.
1. How much room do you have?
2. What kind of gym equipment?
3. Do you know how to maintain said equipment?
4. Do you know how to construct said equipment as well as to deconstruct in case you move?
5. How far away are the gyms that you're considering? And what kind of weather are we looking at?

Here's my recommendation:
1. Adjustable workout bench, with a lat pulley and leg extension/curl. I searched the internet for a minute, but couldn't find just these three things.

2. Adjustable Dumbbells. These are pretty cool. A number of companies make these now. Big space-savers (no long rack needed). Here:
http://www.shopzilla.com/8B--Fitness_Equipment_-_cat_id--12050100__keyword--adjustable%20dumbbells__kw--adjustable%20dumbbells__mkt_id--35580498__qcid--353093434646

Here, check this out:
http://www.bandflex-exercise-equipment.com/
Like a bowflex only cheaper. Might also BE cheaper, though.

Here's another:
http://www.motionliving.peachhost.com/ct_PR200148161.htm

Now, to compare these to a gym membership. It's important to know that a gym membership can be pretty inexpensive, if you're willing to buy a few years at a time. I bought a 24-Hour Fitness membership for about $300 over three years, with a $24/year renewal, no hidden charges. The risk is that the company goes under in a year, leaving me out a couple hundred dollars.
This is still cheaper than buying your own gym equipment and storing and maintaining it.

Also, I prefer the gym because after a few weeks of the same exercises, your body becomes used to the motion and actually learns how to do them more efficiently. That's actually not a good thing. You want your muscles to work hard at working out.

However, if you're made of money and have decided to make a room a permanent gym, then you really should get the best equipment and then invite your friends to "join" your club!

[Gretchen]

This is not a one-size-fits-all question. As ACCtuary points out, you're not going to want to purchase a gym-quality elliptical machine.


Actually, I DID buy a gym-quality machine. I went to a fitness equipment store that supplies a lot of gyms; I bought their lowest price machine, and it cost me close to $2,000. I did that because:
a) I already knew that was a type of machine that I would be able to use consistently (in the past, I had used cross country skiiers, which have similar attributes).
b) Consumer reports found LOTS of problems with the cheaper models that they bought
c) I'm just not going to go to a gym, primarily due to time constraints. It's just not going to happen. So I figured I was better off spending some cash to get something that I would use and would hold up at home.

But the price is why I suggested that if you've never used the equipment before, you start with a relatively cheap model, just to see if you'll actually use it. If so, I think it's worth spending the money to upgrade.

[Gretchen]

Here, check this out:
http://www.bandflex-exercise-equipment.com/
Like a bowflex only cheaper. Might also BE cheaper, though.



Thanks for the link. I had been thinking I should start varying my workout and add some strength training. Had thought about the bowflex, but had the sense it was more money than I wanted to spend until I knew if I'd really use it. I might try this band flex. Even if it is 'cheaper', it will help me figure out whether I would use it long term. If the answer is yes, then I can always upgrade. If the answer turns out to be not really, then I haven't wasted a ton of money.

[The Drunken Actuary]

Join a gym. There's every piece of equipment under the sun there so you can do them all. Most people that buy home-equipment never use it after the first month. You probably think 'oh, that won't be me' but no one thinks that will be them or else they wouldn't buy it. If you stop going to the gym after the first month just quit paying your dues and you only paid for what you've used. If, after many months, you're still working out diligently AND there's one piece of equipment you use exclusively, then buy it.

[Mr. Grim]

Join a gym. There's every piece of equipment under the sun there so you can do them all. Most people that buy home-equipment never use it after the first month. You probably think 'oh, that won't be me' but no one thinks that will be them or else they wouldn't buy it. If you stop going to the gym after the first month just quit paying your dues and you only paid for what you've used. If, after many months, you're still working out diligently AND there's one piece of equipment you use exclusively, then buy it.


Don't forget the eye candy at the gym probably beats whatever you got living at home with you (not you particularly TDA).

[The Drunken Actuary]

Don't forget the eye candy at the gym probably beats whatever you got living at home with you (not you particularly TDA).I was going to mention the eye candy but didn't think that would appeal to Polly. I went to the gym last night and got an eyeful. Some chick sat down on the bikes right in front of me on the treadmill. I won't go into details, but let's just say I found the energy to run a lot further than I'd planned!

[Frenchie]

I was going to mention the eye candy but didn't think that would appeal to Polly. I went to the gym last night and got an eyeful. Some chick sat down on the bikes right in front of me on the treadmill. I won't go into details, but let's just say I found the energy to run a lot further than I'd planned!


Don't forget all those that "think" they're eye candy but aren't! I am, by no mean, Tyra Banks or anything like that, but I know how to um, attire myself properly. There are some who are some "big-boned" women who come into the gym with just the exercise bra on as their top, and not very supportive ones at that. I don't mind admiring a nicely toned body and musing at how hard they (male or female) worked to get it in such good shape. But honestly, I don't want to see everything falling out all over the place! I am glad that you have the energy, drive, desire, etc. to get in there and get healthy, but I don't need to literally see the pounds fall off!

[The Drunken Actuary]

Don't forget all those that "think" they're eye candy but aren't! I am, by no mean, Tyra Banks or anything like that, but I know how to um, attire myself properly. There are some who are some "big-boned" women who come into the gym with just the exercise bra on as their top, and not very supportive ones at that. I don't mind admiring a nicely toned body and musing at how hard they (male or female) worked to get it in such good shape. But honestly, I don't want to see everything falling out all over the place! I am glad that you have the energy, drive, desire, etc. to get in there and get healthy, but I don't need to literally see the pounds fall off!yeah, that's a good point. My gym has a rule about not showing mid-riffs. At first I didn't like it, but this probably saves me more sights than like you mentioend, than it prevents me from seeing the hardbody's midsections.

[Gretchen]

Here, check this out:
http://www.bandflex-exercise-equipment.com/
Like a bowflex only cheaper. Might also BE cheaper, though.


Quick update: my husband found some reviews of this 'bandflex' - links below. Not sure exactly how independent the sites are, but they do give a couple of cons, as well as pros. Reviews seem to be pretty good.

http://www.home-gym-review.com/bandflex-reviews.htm

http://www.exercise-equipment-review.com/bandflex.html

http://www.trainersecrets.com/home_gym/bandflex/bandflex.htm


And I asked my physical therapist (back issues) what she thought of the bowflex machine, and she believes it's probably about the best compact in-home machine out there.

So I think I'll be getting one of these.