I hate the gym.

Now, mind you, I don't hate working out. I just prefer to get outside and go run or hike or bike or swim ... or even go to a yoga class. Just can't stomach paying $50 a month to go steam in the sweat of strangers. Yuck. Can't even get interested in the idea of setting up my bike trainer (yawn ... boring!) in my house or garage.
Anyone else feel like this?

I've actually done ok on the no-gym-membership plan EXCEPT WHEN IT RAINS. Out here in N.Cali. it's been raining a lot recently. Gives me a great excuse to skip my bike ride, say I'm going to yoga later and then get caught up with work, etc. (You know the drill.)
Any suggestions??

Tue. May 10, 1:46pm

I know that feeling all to well

I discontinued my membership and am thinking about finding a less popular gym or class. I didn't like the pop music and people lounging all over the machines while checking women out. Now I am biking and walking around hilly neighborhoods. This seems to be going ok, but I miss having a mored toned body I only get when lifting weights.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005, 1:56 PM

The 15 Minute Rule

Tell yourself that you'll get started and give it 15 minutes. If you still resist after that time, you're allowed to quit (but rarely will). Get your trainer set up - in less than 15 minutes your endorphins will kick in - happens so fast with cycling or running - that you'll be good to go.

Have you tried spinning? I don't like the gym much necessarily, but I'm a fanatic about spinning (and biking) and yoga.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005, 1:58 PM

15-minute rule! yes!

Thanks for reminding me of that! I learned that from a coach last year (although he was an overachiever, so it's the 20-minute rule). And I have to say, EVERY time I did it, I ended up finishing the whole workout.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005, 2:26 PM

member since 2002

i have a membership with gold's and i generally use it for spinning, yoga, and weight training. of course i'd rather be out on beautiful days, but i enjoy having an option when the weather or time does not permit be to head outdoors. another bonus is that they're open from am to pm so i can never make excuses about not doing some kind of physical activity! as for rush hour at the gym, i try to avoid that all together:)

Tuesday, May 10, 2005, 5:44 PM

Gym misery outweighs lazy misery

I go to a neighborhood small gym, with no tv's and limited cardio equipment. I go b/c I dont have a car and can walk there. Some days I am so miserable going there b/c I get bored out of my mind staring at a wall, so I keep my music upbeat and at least make myself do 30 mins of cardio and weights and make my time there worthwhile. When I really dont feel like going to the gym and told myself I would go I always remind myself that I always feel better having gone than if I sit on my butt at home. Now that is nicer out its hard to go into the gym to weight train, but I keep my goals in mind and that keeps me on track most days.

Wednesday, May 11, 2005, 12:04 PM

How often do you go to yoga? Depending on that, you might be spending more than $50 you might to be a member of a gym that offers them.

I agree, though, not all gyms are created equal. Not even all branches of the same gym are equal. I like my Golds Gym because I CAN go work out with feeling like part of the meat market.

But I also need a gym. I dont have the discipline anymore to work out at home, but getting up and into my car in the mornings gets me on automatic

Wednesday, May 11, 2005, 6:12 PM

Music, Loungers and Workouts

My iPod is a MUST-MUST-MUST! I have had the batteries die on me once-it was the worse workout I ever had.

Regarding the loungers, leaning against machines-checking people out. I purposely chose the gym I did because of people like that. I could have gone to a place that had much earlier and later hours-but I didn't like that there were these buffed (huge!) guys lounging around. It helped also, that my gym has a women's only room. :•)

I HATE working out (which is the reason I have been away from it for so long). But as I keep telling myself (and my husband) that even though exercising hurts (well-not hurt exactly)...my body actually loses all of those aches and pains that I have when I DON'T workout.

I just joined this site-and I know it will be a wonderful addition to all of my "tools" to lose weight and get in shape!

Sharon
Portland/Milwaukie Oregon

Thursday, May 12, 2005, 4:41 PM

gym blues

Yeah, I am not a big fan of the gym or any exercise but I force myself to go. Even it is only 20 minutes, I feel better knowing I attempted to go, which is better than the alternative. Of course, my motivation comes from the people who are really in good shape and look good when I get in the gym - I see them and I say "I wanna look like that! I wanna look good in a bikini!" And I exert more energy in the routine that I am doing at that moment.

Saturday, May 14, 2005, 10:01 AM

The 15 minute rule really does work. Just say to yourself, it's only 15 minutes and I can do ANYTHING for only 15 minutes. And take it easy for the first 10 minutes of your workout. Your energy will kick in. You'll almost definitely stay longer every time.

Wednesday, May 25, 2005, 6:30 PM

Personalized workouts

I posted this on another thread yesterday, but if you go to the link below, you can sign up for $25 a month and get three personalized training/workout videos that are in tune with your goals and body. I have not tired it yet, but it looks like a grear optin for stay at home parents, people working from home and those loathing the gym (especially the ones that recreate the Sat. night bar scence daily). Good luck

Link

Thursday, May 26, 2005, 7:31 AM

I hate the gym too.

I don't really like the outside either. I wish I was like you, at least liked working out in general. I really don't like to. and I know this is a part of a "healthy" lifestyle but do you really have to exercise? can't you just diet?

Tuesday, May 31, 2005, 1:41 PM

I am hating the gym lately.

Remembered this thread and wanted to resurrect. I need motivation.

Elle

Wednesday, September 7, 2005, 7:32 PM

gym membership helps motivate me

I find it easier to belong to the gym because if I can just motivate myself enough to actually walk out the door and into the gym, I'll work out once I'm there. So I just make myself GET to the gym, and then I have to work out since I'm already there.

I find that I tend to procrastinate if I really solely on working out at home, plus I don't have the equipment. (Don't want it, either, except perhaps for a couple of dumbbells).

I prefer exercising outside too -- I go running outside in the summer. But for strength-training, or bad weather aerobics, the gym is a lot easier.

And how many stationary bikes bought for home use just wind up being clothes hangers?

Friday, September 9, 2005, 11:43 AM

When it is rainy outside, to still eb able to work out, without the gym...you could do a workout video! Personally, I enojoy them. If you find the right one they can be a lot of fun, and then you don't have to worry about other people watching you...which I love! My favortie was The Firm...kind of expensive to buy at first (circa 100 bucks) but it comes with 3 videos, the stepping blocks, and the sculpting stick. It is a great total body workout, you even get in some light weight training! Google it and find the website online, I think it is definitely worth checking out! Good Luck!

Friday, September 9, 2005, 8:21 PM

now that it is colder, I have to learn to love the gym again.

Friday, November 18, 2005, 9:12 PM

Yes to outside hiking

I have belonged to a gym a number of times. Even though I would get a good workout and see excellent results, I found that within a few months I'd become horribly bored. I would get sloppy with my workouts and then phase out spending money on a membership while I was back on the trails hiking again.

I have been without a gym membership for about 5 years now and find that my exercise routine is more consistant than it has ever been. That's because I'm happy! I also have very loyal hiking companions. My dogs. Just try to spleep in and skip a day when you have canine noses nudging you out of bed!

Smiles,
Kat

Saturday, November 19, 2005, 9:33 AM

home gym, baby! Invest in some weights that will challenge you over time and some fun stuff like a stability ball or yoga mat, and a "personal trainer" also known as exercise videos. You already have a bike trainer, so your ahead of the game. yes, the trainer isn't half as fun as biking outside, but if you think of how you're going to keep improving for those outside rides, that could motivate you to hop on. Good luck!

Saturday, November 19, 2005, 6:29 PM

There are some really good suggestions here. I would encourage you to swim in a pool, join local team sports, find a running group, etc. I pretty much hate the gym myself, but joined because of the classes. I go to boxing class three times a week now. It's a totally different, fun, interesting workout and I've met some great people. I still don't use the weight or cardio machines (but will probably use a treadmill as it gets colder), but wanted to suggest trying out different classes.

Monday, November 28, 2005, 7:48 AM

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