Gym or home? Advice please.

[mamagrigsby]

Okay, I'm sure this has been asked a million times so forgive me. I am just trying to decide if I want to spend money each month on a gym membership or buy a treadmill or elliptical. I used to belong to a gym and I really liked it, but we moved and it's too far away. The gym that is close to me now is not near as nice and it's more expensive. We are on a pretty tight budget and I don't know if I can justify $90 a month for a membership. On the other hand, I'm afraid if I get a treadmill or rely on my workout tapes I won't stick to it. I get bored pretty quickly with workout videos unless I'm mixing it up with something else. I have to get up really early before my daughter gets up (6:30) to get some quiet time to myself to work out and I don't do well with my 6 year old working out with me. Too much of a distraction. So, what do all you moms out there do to get exercise. What works for you?

Thanks!

[nola79]

I find it hard to get motivated to work out at home. However, the gym I belong to is very close and only half of what you would be paying. I would probably try it out at home for a few months, and if you don't get results, then try the gym.

[GoGoGirl]

I like Nola's idea. Maybe get some workout dvds and hold off on the treadmill for a while. Then, if after a few months, you really ARE working out at home, then you can probably assume that the treadmill is a worthwhile purchase. And if not, join the gym.

Sometimes I think it would be convenient to get an elipitical for the apartment. It would probably pay for itself (our gym memberships cost about as much as yours) and it's all I really do at the gym anyway. But I've realized that it's more important for me to go to the gym, even if it costs more. That's the only time when I'm away from DD, and I NEED it for my sanity.

If you're worried about getting bored with workout tapes, do you have netflix? They have workout dvds.

[sewaneecook]

I used to need a gym to work out, but now that I have kids the extra time getting to and from the gym prevented me from working out (the cost isn't a factor because it's provided by DH's work). Instead I started running and the motivation I need is signing up for races and keeping to a training routine. I'm going on 8 months of regular exercise (running or cross training using videos or the occasional visit to the gym) and I haven't felt this good since I was a competitive college swimmer nearly 10 years ago.

[mamagrigsby]

Thanks for the feedback. I went on a power walk last night at a nearby trail and then I got up this morning and did a workout that I found on Netflix. We will see if I can stick to doing these types of things instead of paying a gym membership.

[chiromamma]

I'm a home exerciser! I've dropped 12 inches from boobs to thighs in the last 6 weeks working out at home.
My treadmill was one of the best purchases our family has ever made. We bought it about 9 years ago and it's running strong. I use it primarily when it's too cold/rainy/snowy or hot to run outside. I also use it after a strength workout to round up to an hour.
I mix it up ALOT or I get bored.
On the treadmill I run or do super high incline training.
I like Jillian Michaels' videos because they are intense and have a lot of variety. I also bought her Hot Bod in a Box that has like 8 different 40 minute circuits. So it's all about mixing it up for me.
Over the years I've accumulated dumb bells from 3lbs-20, resistance tubing and plenty of vids...Firm, Tae Bo in addition to JM.

[phathui5]

Do you have a local YMCA? The membership there is cheaper than a lot of gyms.

I would definitely go for the gym over working out at home, myself. When I planned to do it at home in the past, exercise fell by the wayside. Since this past December, I've worked out at our YMCA 3-6 days a week and am in much better shape than when I started going.

[e.naomisandoval]

Good plan to try it at home first to see if that can work. I just never manage; I need to go to a gym. And it has to be close. I'd likely wind up parting with the $90. Wow, that's a lot. Most gyms run specials so ask around and keep your eyes peeled for offers. And you can always try negotiating them down.

[rootzdawta]

I don't know how I could squeeze in going to the gym. As it is, I wake up at 5:30 to get my workouts in. I have tons of workout DVDs (including the P90X, Chalean Extreme and Insanity programs). I also borrow a lot of workout DVDs from the library or Netflix. There's so much variety out there that I couldn't get bored. I use the 15-30 minutes it would take to get to the gym to actually work out at home and I've been very successful. I recently started running which adds even more variety to the mix. But I know myself . . . I can work out hard at home, push myself with no one around. If you know yourself, then you know what you should do to get the results you're looking for.