Home gym or Join a gym?

[platinumplus]

Really really need to get into a routine of exercising this year due to health issues. What do you think would be better value for money, joining a gym or getting some equipment for the home? (Don't have loads of room but could get a couple of things)

I've got terrible, TERRIBLE willpower. Have joined gyms in the past and not gone but have also got an exercise bike in the garage that I've barely been on.

My son wants to get fit too so I'm hoping that might inspire me to keep at it but just can't decide best way forward.

I disagree that you should join a gym. The faff of going there, changing, showering after and coming home means exercising takes a lot longer than it needs to, if you even bother to go in the first place. Exercising from home can be started within 10 mins of getting out of bed and then it’s done and dusted.

For the cost a few months gym membership you can buy some dumbbells and a mat. That’s all you need. Cardio machines are a waste of time: go for a walk. Using weights will strengthen your bones, give you a wonderful figure and up your metabolism :) Strong looks good, not skinny….

Then look up Caroline Girvan on YouTube and start her beginner workouts. She is fantastic. I do her stuff 5/6 times a week and after four children feel (and look) better than I ever have done.

Exercising at home is all well and good if you have adequate space and supportive partner. Jogging and long distance running is all well and good when the weather is good and it is during the day. I really wouldn't advise jogging very late at night (applies to men as well as women). Also going for walks isn't going to do much for you fitness wise.
Long way of saying you're better off using a gym. Can even get 24 hour ones at reasonable monthly rates.

One advantage of living 5 mins walk from my gym is that changing & showering can be done at home & I just take a change of footwear.

Most parkruns have walkers participants. If you can manage 10k steps/day you can walk at Pkrun walking pace.

I joined the gym last May, I went a bit to the gym to start with and then got into the classes, zumba / yoga and Glow (this was great, 90s dance class with glowsticks). I did have periods when I didn't go for a week or two, illness or too hot in the summer, the same old excuses crept in a bit too easily and then I realised I wasn't enjoying the classes as much I first did, (oversubscribed / too many other people / couldn't get to grips with moves).

By the end of October, I had a word with myself and jumped into the gym again, set a workout routine that was tough but achievable and limited to 45mins. I wfh so appreciate the chance to get out of the house. Week after week I found I was enjoying it more and it has become quite addictive, felt a bit sad on my rest days. My body shape has changed, the bloat has gone and I love to see the progress as I go up on the weights or increase the resistance on the bike/ elliptical as I'm finding it easier than the week before. I have my music blasting and it's not a chore any more, it's me time. I come home feeling fantastic. (This is from a previous fat lazy couch potato so no one is more surprised than me)

Good to know - thank you

Parkruns also have a ‘tail walker’ whose role is to be right at the end, so nobody ever gets left to finish alone.

I edited my post as I posted it on the wrong thread somehow 🙃

I am actually thinking of quiting the gym and doing home workouts as I never go.

I'd love to get to a gym but it just doesn't fit with my current schedule. I'm on an app called Ladder which gives you a workout schedule in six week blocks and access to a real trainer and an online group chat with other members. I find this more motivating than choosing workouts from the TV. You can choose from a range of workout styles with different trainers. I went for a kettlebell workout (Body and Bell) because I already had a couple of kettlebells and have since invested in some more. There's a free one week trial.