To have a gym conundrum?

[squashedalmondcroissant]

I am currently paying to use the leisure facilities at a local hotel which is a few minutes walk from my work, It has a small pool, small gym, sauna and a spa pool.

However, because the pool and gym are so small and obviously in use by the hotel guests too as well as anyone like me who pays for the leisure facilities, if there are more than 2 people (including me) it makes it quite tricky to do a proper workout. Also the sauna and spa pool currently don't work and none of the lockers work either. Tbh it's very dated and run down, needs some serious TLC to make it worth the money but the only advantage it has is that it's really close and open 7-10 so there's plenty of time to use it.

I'm a bit fed up with it as it's not super cheap and since half the stuff doesn't work and isn't in good condition I'm looking for somewhere new but I'm not sure the other options are much better.

Option A:

Big local leisure centre. Plenty of equipment, quite new, well maintained, has a pool (although no sauna etc). £3 more than I'm currently paying but also has all the classes which I don't get at the moment - tbh I'd be happy to pay a little extra for facilities that are nice and actually work.

Downside is the opening hours are a bit more limited and there are often other things going on in the pool like swimming lessons so I can't use it all the time.

Option B:

Local gym very close to my house. Really new and well maintained, has fun 'extras' like a climbing wall you can pay extra for. Has classes and is a Similar price to what I'm paying now.

Downside is No pool and limited opening hours at the weekend.

Option C:

Just workout at home? I have some basic equipment (dumbbells, mat etc) and just save my money? I don't have a lot of space to do a workout and there are lot of distractions/reasons to opt out but at least I won't be paying extra?

Aibu to not know which is better?

How much of a priority is swimming? For me it’s everything. The hotel sounds a bit of a dump and they are saving money by leaving the spa switched off.

Also how flexible is your schedule? If you want to swim you’ll need to find a time that works, maybe before work or early evening? Ours is quiet at lunchtime.

Working out at home is great and theoretically possible but requires a LOT of self discipline to actually maintain it.

Realistically how much do you swim? And when do you usually go?

Current gym sounds crap. If not swimming loads and you usually go to the gym during the week I would go with B and just PAYG at A when I wanted to swim. If swimming and weekend access is critical, I’d go A.

I’d go for B as I use the pool once in a blue moon. If swimming is a regular thing for you though, perhaps go for A- although is it massively out of your way? Home workouts are great if you’re very motivated (I was fine during lockdown) but again I think it’s personal/ depends on what you do at the gym- if it’s heavy lifting/ strength training you’re doing then I’d definitely stick with a gym.

I’d go for B but I hate public swimming pools. Unless you invest in a full range of decent equipment you’re unlikely make much progress at home and as pp said you need to be very disciplined.

It depends how much you want the extras but it's very possible to do full workouts with little space using just body weight. There's lots of body weight guides on YouTube.

The addition of a few dumb bells makes it even easier.

It sounds like A or B is worth a go. The at home option is always there if you don't stick with it.

Personally for me B sounds preferable, but for a more extrovert person A sounds great value for money. I suppose it depends how much you want to swim and how well your available hours fit with Gym A's hours.

All about the pool for me so I'd be going with A bit really depends if you go swimming!
If you don't, B sounds like a winner.

I work shifts that vary from week to week so sometimes I need weekend access and sometimes not but I usually do work the weekend so it's not crucial. It's more morning/evening access I'd want as my plan is to go either on my way home or way to work.

Neither A or B is particularly out of my way, A is roughly half way between work and home but B is closer to my house so I'm more likely to go on my days off.

I have tried doing home workouts but I get really self conscious working out if dp is in the house (oddly I don't care about strangers seeing me lol 😂) and there's just so many distractions or things I find off putting, furniture needs moving etc and I don't end up doing it.

I really really hate cardio but I enjoy swimming so that is my cardio. I like lifting weights but I get bored easily so the ability to mix it up is helpful for me. I'm just really trying to find something I can stick to as I'm fed up of being unfit!

If you have trouble sticking to an exercise routine, and get bored easily, I'd pick whichever of A or B has the best/most appealing classes at times that suit you. I'm really into my gym now but it was classes that got me to that point, and provided challenge, structure, accountability, variety and a little light socialising/company. I did all sorts - boxing, Pilates, circuits, HIT with cardio or strength focus.....

I hate cardio two, I literally do 8 mins on the bike as a warm up each time 😂 if I’m feeling really energetic I’ll do 20 mins (have done that twice ever). I think if you get bored easily I definitely wouldn’t choose the home option, one of the main things that keeps me going at the gym is seeing the increase in weights that I can do and there’s no way of doing my favourite exercises (Lat pull, leg press/extension/curl, single arm row) at home.

It does sound like option A might be better for you if you like to swim.

Too not two 🤨

It depends what you want from your gym. The pool is the most important thing to me, and something I can't get at home, so that would be my priority.

If you don't swim often then other option sounds better. Presumably you can still pay to use the pool at the leisure centre without a membership if you want to?

I'd go to the well-equipped commercial gym, and pay by swim for the local pool. But those are my priorities: free weights and other proper lifting/training equipment, good trainers, and classes with good instructors.

My local council leisure centre looks OK at first glance, but the pool is often closed to lap swimmers, the classes impossible to get a space in, and the place is full of shrieking kids. My gym doesn't allow children, thank goodness.

I'd go A if you want to swim.

the other thing to consider is the length of contract with each - if you're able to join on a rolling or one month contract initially to try out for a month, and then move to an annual contract when you know you're happy with the option you've chosen, that could be worthwhile.
I've always found the changing rooms in council gyms a bit scuzzy.

Currently planning to join a Nuffield Health gym - work has just signed to a private health scheme that includes half price gym membership.
Don't thing I've really regained my fitness since COVID a couple of years ago.

I'd choose option B.