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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do it

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?

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.