to join a gym?

[MrsHelsBels74]

I'm currently on mat leave & have DS1 2.11 & DS2 4 months. I'm finding it really tough & am suffering PND, which is being dealt with.

I really, really want to join the gym (we were members years ago) & think it would be good for many reasons, endorphins, would help me shift post baby flab, would give me some 'me' time etc but I feel selfish paying £65 a month just for me (that's for the gym closest to me, am also investigating cheaper options) when I could spend that money on the boys. So AIBU?

[littletime]

No! I complete think a bit of time out helps everybody, children/ parents/helpers!
Do it if you can afford it.

[manicinsomniac]

YANBU, everybody should go to the gym

You'll find cheaper ones if you have the time to go further afield though. Kiss and Pure gyms are less than £15 aa month (but won't be as good) and fit4less is cheap too (but apparently rubbish). Hmmm, that's not very encouraging actually - I guess you get what you pay for! Virgin Active are great. I pay £50 a month for that but would be a lot more in some areas of the country.

[INeedThatForkOff]

Do you think you'll get your money's worth? I have two more or less the same age and don't think I would. I've decided to do C25k then join the local running club once a week (£10/year). I have lots of DVDs (Davina, Nell, kettlebells, Shred) to do as and when I can make the time.

I've booked DD in for swimming lessons at a council-run pool in the next town (ours is dire), and before she does that, I'll be going to a spin & pump class while she goes to PILs, pay as you go (4/week).

I think exercise would be brilliant for you but you can do it more cheaply and enjoy the thrill of saving money. You could chuck a bit at buying some DVDs, kit or equipment to start with, then after that it's much cheaper.

[fieldfare]

Does that £65 a month include a crèche or swimming facilities that you could use with the children too? When my dd was small I would book her in for an hour while I did my gym workout then pick her up and take her swimming for an hour too. We both benefitted - she got to play with other children and I got a bit of space and the time to myself.

[bulletwithbutterflywings]

If you can afford it, do it! It's the most effective anti-depressant i have ever used (and I've been on a few believe me!) If you need to spend less there are a lot of gyms that are around £15/20 a month, usually in town centres.

[MrsHelsBels74]

This one is lovely though, it has a pool which I really like (lots round here don't) and there is a crèche so I could take DSs (or maybe just DS2 not sure what maximum age is-there are activities for 3+ though). And I don't have to go to the centre of town to use it which is another plus.

[INeedThatForkOff]

Do it

[plummyjam]

If you can afford it do it! Our local gym is virgin active - about £60 a month but has everything - swimming (even an outdoor pool) tennis, squash, badminton, creche, lessons in all sorts of sports for the kids. Great place to meet people and would definitely be good for self-confidence and beating PND. It does seem like a lot of money but I think it's worth it - millions of people in this country spend that much a month on cigarettes so why not the gym?

[TheRatsTheRats]

My depression has lifted, I am so much healthier and happy for once. My body looks good. All since joining a gym. Your kids want a happy mummy, so it isn't just for you :) DO IT!!

[nefertarii]

I love my gym. I pay a bit less than you, but if you can afford it, do it.

My gym charges £10 per year per child and they have a childrens pool that we can use whenever we want. And kids classes during the school holidays so I can go to the gym.

Its definitely made me feel better and more relaxed.

[Chopstheduck]

If you can afford it, do it! I used to love going to the gym, shifted weight, lifted my mood.


But now, I can't really afford it due to other commitments and I'm doing couch to 5k instead, and it is doing exactly the same thing for me, I'm loving it, I feel happier and I'm losing weight. So if you can't afford it, maybe give that a go?

And can't afford it means you need money for food, bills, etc not extra money for children if they don't really need anything.

[Fizzler99]

YANBU if you can afford it and would actually go and get your money's worth (I know lots of people who pay £50 per month for gym and only go once a month.....not exactly value for money)

It is in your kids' best interests to have a fit and healthy mum (mentally and physically) so if you can afford it YANBU.

If you cannot afford it then I think you should still get fit, but maybe just start running (try the Couch to 5K) instead.

My gym does pay as you go as well as monthly memberships and I just pay as I go as I don't have time to go more than once a week so monthly membership would just not be good value for me.

[MogwaiTheGremlin]

Do it!
Before I had DS I spent a fortune on a swanky gym which was 2 mins from work. I used to go 4 times a week (sometimes used to just sit in the jacuzzi during my lunch break ) because it was so nice and so convenient. It was better value for money than paying less for a gym i never used.
In my experience you get what you pay for and you can't put a price on your health so this is one 'extravagance' well worth while

[nefertarii]

I forgot to say that I go 5 times a week, do 3 classes. Take the kids swimming once a week during term time (more in the holidays). So its excellent value for money.