Should I join a gym?

I was thinking of getting an elliptical machine for my home, and went online and was going to purchase one I saw in a store. I was talking to my boyfriends dad who told me that it may just be a better idea to join a gym. I don't know what is better to do in this situation? I am fairly out of shape, so doing the elliptical is enough of a work out for me. I can burn cals in a day without gym equipment, but maybe working out at a gym can give me more cals to burn and more weight loss? An elliptical at a gym and an elliptical at home are fairly equivalent for me, so is there a need to join a gym? If weight training was necessary, then, definitely, I will join the gym -- but if it is not...I am at a loss.

Do you work out at a gym or at home? Why?

I prefer the gym, but it really depends on how you like to exercise.  If you don't know which you would prefer, try to geta a free trial membership at a gym and see how it goes before you make a decision.  After exercising on an elliptical for a few weeks or months you may decide you'd like the variety offered at a gym.

I'm of the opinion that people work out better at a gym.  There is more variety of exercise which is a good thing.  Plus they are there with no distractions.  The phone won't ring and no one will knock on the door.  You will also learn a lot by watching what other people do, not to mention the trainers will usually answer any questions without charging a fee.  Some gyms will give you a few personal training sessions with a new membership.

That being said, you have to start somewhere.  And if you go with an elliptical at home, good for you.  Its a step in the right direction.

Weights aren't necessary, but if your goal is fat loss that're more efficient than spending mindless hours on the elliptical. Lifting will help you hold on to muscle and get rid of fat only, which keeps your metabolism from shutting down with a lower calorie intake.

You could just buy some free weights to use at home, like a barbell and/or heavy adjustable dumbbells.

How much does the eliptical cost and how much is the gym membership?

I'd say: go with the gym option. You'll get bored with the elliptical eventually, whereas at the gym, you have a selection of cardio machines: stairmasters, ellipticals, treadmills, bicycles, reclining cycles, etc. Not to mention all the weight equipment. You'll be able to get a broader, more interesting workout for a smaller price.

I belong to a gym and I love it.  I kind of had to join a gym though because I have three small children and found that I couldn't get in any effective exercise while watching my kids too.  The YMCA provides free child watch services so they watch my little ones while I exercise.  I like the flexibility at the gym - I can use the cardio machines, take an aerobics class, lift weights, etc.  More options plus the more I go, the more people I meet so it's kind of becoming a bit more social for me too which is nice.  I would have a hard time motivating myself to exercise regularly in the house.  Though, I do love running outdoors, going for walks, or hiking, which are all free too.  Good luck!

Write down a list of pros and cons for each. Seems to me that every time I join a gym, I quit going after a week cause it's a pain in the butt to drive there and I'm a pretty private gal anyway. I ended up buying an elliptical from Sears. Yes, I do get a little bored with it sometimes and so I'll do a workout video or go for walks instead.

Yeah, you get variety at a gym and can try out all kinds of equipment but if you don't go, it's not worth it. Try the trial membership like someone else suggested.

P.S. When looking at ellipticals, take a peek at the ones with the push button incline....way better than the manual changing ones.

I asked the same question when I started to get back in shape and lose a few pounds last February.  I bought a tread mill and find that having it at the house and readily available gets me to work out more than if I had to get up and go to a gym.  Having it there also reminds me to keep up with the work outs as opposed to a the "if you don't see it you won't miss it" thought of joining the gym. 

With the tread mill at home I'm now 5 pounds from my goal and have lost 70 pounds.  I currently run 7.5 miles on week days and 10 - 12 on Saturday and Sunday and find that on days I don't use it I really miss it. 

Hope this helps.

I have my own "gym" in my basement.  I bought a 300 pound weight set for $150 at Dicks... and a  bench that came with a smith machine.  Although I do not use the smith machine for squats, it has the pully system so I can do seated rows, lat pulldowns, etc.  I am following the book - New Rules of Lifting for Women.  It gives me a purpose, so I am not wandering. 

I also got a treadmill for doing HIIT.  I debated an eliptical, but I did not like the movement and I think a treadmill is more flexible. 

I work out religiously 3X per week.  If I had to go to the gym - I probably would only make it once a week.  I like the fact that after my workout, I can climb the stairs, have a protein shake and jump in the shower... privately. 

I use to belong to a gym and I found that I, too, after a month didn't go because it was that extra step of leaving the house again, and once you got to the gym you never knew how busy it was going to be or if you would be able to use the machine that you wanted. When I went to the gym, the only machine that I liked and used was the eliptical. I decided to cancel my gym membership, which was $100 and I bought an eliptical for $200. I use the eliptical everday and I love it! I found out that seeing the machine made me want to use it and knowing that I just had to go to the other room was more comfort then having to drive across town.
I did find that you do have to have good discipline and not let any distractions distract you. I just clothes the door to the room, put on some music, and I'm good to go for about a half hour!

Some good points here.

Thankfully, my gym is relatively cheap and close to my house. There are no 'memberships', you have to buy cards, on which a specific amount of visits are listed. You have an expiration date of 1 month. This gives me extra incentive to go, as I don't want my paid 'visits' wasted.

That being said, I'd LOVE to have a treadmill at home (but I'd have nowhere to put it). :D

I have a treadmill and a set of weights at my house.  I am doing NROF4W, 3x per week, and I'm enjoying it a lot.  I have a TV in my workout room and watch whatever I want while I'm on the treadmill.  I like being able to come home from work, get into my workout clothes and do my workout.  I can then walk into my kitchen, drink my protein shake and then take a shower in the privacy of my own bathroom. 

I used to belong to a gym.  I was lucky if I made it 2x per week.  I would have to wait in line for equipment, and have to remember to sign-up for the treadmill, etc.  I do wish I had someone to watch my form with some of my lifts, and I miss the sauna, but other than that I don't miss the gym. 

I joined a gym for $12 a month. For me, it helps me to workout when I have somewhere specific to go. If I have stuff at home I think "I can workout later", but if I set a time to go to the gym I am more likely to go, plus I hate wasting money. I also like the variety it provides. I can lift weights, walk on a treadmill, elliptical, ride a bike, get a personal trainer, THere's more choices than just one piece of equipment would provide.

Personally I would definitely pick the gym! I love my gym sooo much and it can really pump you up/make you work harder with other people there. I hate working out by myself, esp. in my house! My gym is very nice though: each cardio machine has a personal tv, channels, kids area, big tvs on the walls, weight area, free weights area, tons of cardio equipment, etc! I love it!!! Go for the gym :-) But that is just my opinion ;-)

Best of luck with WHATEVER you decide!

<3 psychoj

I personally believes that it really depends on your personality and work out style.  Everyone here makes great points, so it's really a matter of reflecting on your patterns (good and not so good) and figuring out what works best for you.  If you're super private and feel uncomfortable with people staring, then maybe a home gym would be better.  But if you know you'll get distracted at home, then a gym is an excellent place to immerse yourself in toning your body.

I definitely recommend doing free weights, though.  Functional training (free weights using the balance ball) is an efficient way to build the muscle that will help you lose more weight than just cardio alone.  This can be a little awkward at the gym (unless you have a personal trainer), so maybe you might want to consider getting the equipment for functional training at home and doing the cardio and machines at the gym.  Just a thought!

Hi.  The gym works for me -- I've had home gyms and various approaches but find that the variety and ability to change exercise routines is vital to keeping the body challenged over time.  I also believe that strength training is a vital component to overall fitness - I used to do cardio-only, my results improved dramatically by adding strength-routines.

Another thought on the trial membership -- you should seriously "try-out" various eliptical machines before you decide on which one to buy.  Don't just buy based on price, or other limiting factors.  Make sure the equipment will work for you, not against you.  I say this because I've noticed differences between the various brands and models at the gym -- and some of them I flat-out don't use because they're not a "fit" for me.

So if you can do a trial membership, do it to try out some equipment before you buy (using for a few weeks is much better than 5 minutes in a sports shop).  But while you're in the gym, keep an open mind about other activities.