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Original poster

Gym vs other exercise - I have questions.... if you gym when do you go? if you do other stuff what do you do and when?

43 replies

TheBlonde · 20/01/2008 12:55

I am trying to weigh up the value of my gym membership
I only went once a week on average last year and with the creche it works out to be quite pricey

I could try to go more or I could cancel it and do something else... but what?

If you go to a gym when do you go? daytime evening weekend?

If you do other exercise what do you do and when?

OP posts:
dinny · 20/01/2008 13:06

go running - free and easy and doesn't take up much time.

I try and do 30 mins on my X-trainer in the mornng or evening, or go for a run and I do two yoga classes in the evening (which mean I can't afford gym too)

ConfusedMover · 20/01/2008 13:09

Run, always first thing in the morning. It gets it out of the way.

dinny · 20/01/2008 13:12

what time do you go, CM?

BreeVanDerCampLGJ · 20/01/2008 13:14

The price of gym membership has shot up around here, since David Lloyd had their planning application turned down.

The only time I could go even if I wanted to would be in the evenig and then it is full of men, pumping iron.

So I have joined Curves, it only takes 30 minutes and I am really enjoying it. DH walks in the door and I walk out. I get to miss all the brush your teeth, put your jammies on, I said brush your teeth. etc., etc..

It is £75 to join and £33 a month as opposed to the £74 a month Canons wanted.

Blandmum · 20/01/2008 13:17

We go to a dAvif Lloyd. It is very good, the gym and pol facilities are great, the cafe is very nice and the kids clubs are excellent. DD is now 11 and has started to do a cardio blast class. She loves it, and it makes her feel very grown up.

I have 2-3 work outs a week, and we take the kids swimming at least once a week, on top of their classes.

We more than get our money's worth out of the membership.

The place is packed atm. Roll on easter when the numbers tend to thin out a bit!

Original poster
TheBlonde · 20/01/2008 13:20

dinny & CM - I have to say I hate running

OP posts:
peanutbear · 20/01/2008 13:28

I go to Bannatynes we used to go to David lloyd but am not svelte like by any standards and the pool was in the middle of the gym so paid my membership and never went

I have lost a stone since going to the gym I only go when DH is at home or I have a babysitter though so I also walk the dog at a slow run pace everyday as the kids can come join in on this

SueW · 20/01/2008 14:13

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

Blandmum · 20/01/2008 14:17

depends on which one you join. The better the facilities.

For the 4 of us, we Pay £25 a week, which I know is a lot. But on average we have 2 hours of child care (classes) for each of the two kids every week. We all swim at least once a week and I go to the gym 2-3 times a week.

What would that cost out as in a Local authority facility? I would have thought that the kids stuff would be about £3 an hour each?

Original poster
TheBlonde · 20/01/2008 14:19

We are using Virgin Active in London - it's about 80 quid pcm per adult and 7 pcm per child
plus 4 quid an hour for the creche

OP posts:
Blandmum · 20/01/2008 14:21

Gosh, so we are having quite a good deal then. Mind you , we live in the wind swept wastes, and not the Big City

OverMyDeadBody · 20/01/2008 14:24

I can't afford a gym and don't have the time anyway, so I cycle to work and back every day, 12 miles round trip, and climb at a wall once a week, and (even though I hate it like you) run, often in the morning with DS on his bike so we can finish off at school.

themoon66 · 20/01/2008 14:32

I run. I tend to run in the evenings as that's when I have my shower and hair wash anyway.... so I just go out for an hour before my shower. Figured it was the best time of the day to get sweaty and hot. I sleep very well too.

GColdtimer · 20/01/2008 14:34

Our gym is £70 per month for both of us, the creche is £2.70 per hour.

I try to go for 2 x 30 minute sessions a week with dd in the creche - then we both go swimming/to soft play so it makes it worth our while. I also have my yoga class there and an occasion aerobics class if my friends can drag me there. DH goes 3 times a week. I think it pays its way.

Other forms of exercise I have tried are fitness dvds - OK until you get bored of them, running because it is quick and easy, but I find it so boring and hate it in the winter, I have a mini stepper which I sometimes do in front of the TV in the evening/whilst DD has a nap. That is actually quite good because you can just jump on for 15 mins and work up a bit of a sweat. When the weather gets better I will walk a lot more too.

I have to have lots of variety because my boredom threashhold is so low.

hanaflower · 20/01/2008 14:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Astrophe · 20/01/2008 14:37

I go to the council gym for a class once a week (morning), whilst DD is at nursery, and DS goes to the gym creche. Total cost of creche and class is £5.30 per visit (council run gym)

I have recently got an excercise bike I use for 10 mins a day and try to do one 'proper' work out (30 mins +) per week as well.

JohnnyDeppsMrs · 20/01/2008 14:38

I run too - and I was a 'I hate running/can't run' type of person. If you're 'time poor' (or just plain old poor) it's the best thing.

Do you go on the treadmill at the gym TheBlonde - if that's what you're judging your running on I'd say get out on the roads proper. It's much more enjoyable. When I go to the gym I never run on the treadmill - I loathe it.

Generally I run in the mornings and go to a bodytone class once a week in the evenings. Cost's me £3.

Blandmum · 20/01/2008 14:40

Thank you for the costing in the council gym, Apostrophe. That makes me feel better about the money we are spending at the gym. I realise that a creche would probably be more expensive than a kids club for older ones because of the staffing ratios. But I figure we are getting a reasonable deal

Original poster
TheBlonde · 20/01/2008 15:19

JohnnyDeppsMrs - no I don't run at the gym either.
Bad knees and huge boobs are not an ideal running combo

OP posts:
Blandmum · 20/01/2008 15:20

I don't use the treadmill for running, but I do use the Cross trainer, much easier on my Knees

suzywong · 20/01/2008 15:22

ahem
I am married to Johnny Depp

but I may trade him for Anthony Bourdain

fishie · 20/01/2008 15:32

i swim one evening on way home from work (ds stays late at cm), saturday morning and a couple of runs where i can fit them in. hate gym. pay £25 a month swimming membership.

JohnnyDeppsMrs · 20/01/2008 15:32

Where's that adulterous swine....?

Have to admit TheBlonde that I am much lacking in the norkage dept so do not have that problem. But my dodgy knee has never been so good since I started running.

Lizzylou · 20/01/2008 15:40

I stopped going to the gym once I started running outdoors.
I go for a run on a Sunday morning, a spin class at a local council gym once a week and do Davina's exercise DVD once a week. I am doing the Manchester 10km this May so am looking forward to the lighter nights so I can go for a run once DH is back from work (like Bree missing out on bath/bed time shenanigans ) and get in training.

When I used to go to a council gym it cost £28 per month for unlimited gym/swimming and classes and £160 per hour for the creche. I'd say you're getting a good deal Martianbishop, we just paid a fortune for all 4 of us to go swimming this morning.

Lizzylou · 20/01/2008 15:41

Obv that should be £1.60 an hour for the creche!

It is only open 9.30-3.30pm

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