Help me decide on right combo of gym / classes / home workouts

[ChangedNameForToday]

I'm 47 and I've so far never managed to make a habit of exercise.

My goals are - to lose belly fat and to tone my arms, back and stomach.

The things I enjoy the most are dance style classes and yoga but I don't think this will help me reach these goals (alone). Plus I am a bit lazy sometimes about leaving the house to exercise! Plus I am a bit stingy and think I will be annoyed at myself if I pay money for a gym / classes membership then end up not going.

I can't decide whether to try and do home workouts - Daily OM has a 'fit and fierce over 40' and a 'go sleeveless in 14 days' - if they work they'd be cheap and convenient.

But do home workouts work? I've never really tried any. My local university gym has a cheap vacation membership on at the moment so another option would be to go there and do classes (but not sure they'd do much for my arms or tum toning).

Have any of you tried both gym / classes and home workouts - if so, which worked best for you?

The best thing for me was seeing a personal trainer. He's taught me loads of different ways of exercising, how to get the right form to minimise risk of injury, and he keeps me accountable in between sessions (if I don't do enough in between, it's really hard, plus I'm not getting as much out of my sessions).

So I currently see him every other week, then will usually do a yoga class weekly, a circuits class weekly, and I aim to do another relatively high intensity session in between, could be HIIT at home using my own made up circuits, or a Fitness Blender video. I have a set of weights at home, which are definitely required for home sessions. My arms are pretty good IMO, legs not too bad, bit cellulite-y buy hey ho. Tummy could be worse, but my sweet tooth makes getting that last bit of fat off impossible .

The main thing is to get started, why don't you do the home stuff (if you're comfortable with your form...), see how you get on, test your commitment. I'd suggest timetabling your workouts, makes it more likely you'll actually do it. Also consider roping a friend in, so you encourage each other to do it.

Good luck, keep us posted!

I’ve gone from never exercising to adoring my daily workouts.

I bought an Apple Watch, it allows you to compete against friends, lots exercise, remind you to stand up etc.

Then I started swimming a few times a week, building up speed and distance.

I added classes, primarily yoga and Pilates etc. I built up my muscles using my own body weight.

I started weights about a year ago.

Now any free time involves any of the above, cycling or long walks as a family.

If I have 10 minutes, I’ll chose a particular exercise and do it. I use Pinterest and have a board of exercise ideas.

A fitness machine estimated that my metabolic age is more than 15 years younger than I am.

I’ll never go back to the way I was before. I’m the smallest I’ve ever been and my body is toned. It has been such a rewarding journey - you can do it OP! Sending lots of luck your way

I find classes more motivating. At home I get bored/knackered half way through a dvd or YouTube video and go and make a cup of tea and have some cake.

Booking into a gym class means I have to turn up and do it even if not feeling very motivated (gym penalises you for not turning up) and I don’t walk out the class halfway through.

HasFit on YouTube are really good. They have videos for all levels and you can go at your own pace and they're very encouraging. Really helped me to go from no exercise to enjoying it.