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?

[TheBlonde]

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?

I walk - about 3 miles a day on average. DS is still in the back carrier sometimes (he is 2.5 so quite heavy!!) It's free and we have a dog so kills 2 birds with one stone. Also I seem to be less suceptible to dodgy knees than I was when I went running, DS loves it and I can eat anything I want and remain at 9.5 stone

I swim (I don't like running. If I had NO alternative I would explore it, but at the moment I don't like it) ideally three times a week - Wednesday nights (the women's swim) and first thing on weekend mornings. I also do a pilates class on Thursday nights. And walk a fair bit.

I agree completely with the get it done first thing view!

What's a good alternative to swimming and running?

Since having my last 2 kids I can't seem to get my fitness levels up and running ( staggering) even a mile exhausts me ( v. frustrating) Would 'power walking be a goo alternative?

I have also stated to use 'kettlebells', they are fantastic for toning the old body, trouble is I have overdone it with them and stressed the old pelvic floor

Cycling is a good alternative to swimming and running.

I think fitness DVDs or yoga would be my preference instead of cycling (bit hazardous in London)

Message withdrawn

I belong to LA fitness and pay £35 a month. I go to the gym 3 times a week, yoga once and aquarobics once.

I also take the baby swimming once a week.

I use the creche whilst I'm at aquarobics, which costs £3.80 an hour, but the rest of the time I go in the evening and miss all the bedtime and clearing up gubbins.

I got an exercise bike (an expensive one, but easily paid for if you compare with 6 months or so of gym membership!). I do 30mins three times a week (easy enough to do as I just catch up on the TV shows I've chucked on Sky+) I've also started doing some strength training exercises twice a week that I picked up from SparkPeople and then realised how poor my muscle tone was (how can really easy looking exercises feel so exhausting?!)

I used to go to a gym pre-kids, but found it really difficult to keep motivated... found it such a waste of time, money and was so boring. I also felt really self conscious exercising in front of other people.

This way I get to watch TV I would have watched anyway and keep my brain active while I do the physical drudge

I swim and walk. My DSs have a half hour lesson and I really enjoy having half an hour swimming myself. I also walk for at least an hour two or three times a week. I drop DS2 at nursery and just wander aimlessly. I listen to music or an audio book and walk very briskly (it helps that I live somewhere hilly). Always feel very invigorated when I get home. Exercising in the fresh air beats the gym any day.

Running 3 times a week - Tuesday and Thursday evening and Sunday morning. It takes about 40 mins. Free and I can do it when it suits me. Also I feel great and I'm keeping flab in check.

I simply bought a cheap dvd from Morrisons and try to do that at least twice a week plus I bought a tummy trimmer from Avon which I use for 15 minutes before bed three times a week. Total cost £8.99 and I have unlimited use and don't need to traipse out in the cold, wind and rain.

When summer comes I will also be walking the dog a lot longer and you can't beat walking!!

There is so much free exercise to do I really will not pay gym prices. I'd rather spend the money on a nice holiday or my children.

I hate gyms and disagree with them on principle. I don't like artificial exercise in a confined space - it reminds me of hamsters in cages running around on a wheel.

I walk a lot taking my daughter to school, doing the shopping etc, and I tidy and clean my home. In the summer I go for walks in the countryside or along the beach and swim in the sea.

I go the gym at work once or twice a week. Plus I run first thing in the morning once or twice a week. Plus I have a exercise bike which I use about once a week. Plus I have over 30 exercise DVDs and exercise to them at least twice a week - again first thing in the morning.

I hate the gym.

I go pole dancing every monday night and have just started learning to horse ride, which is a half hour lesson during the week when both kids are at nursery. I also take both kids to swimming lessons once a week, and am about to look into getting some MBT's for walking to and from the nursery. I find I need classes in something otherwise I don't have the motivation to get myself going.

I run to work and back (about 4 miles each way) and sometimes swim on my lunch break (I am lucky in that I work next to a swimming pool - I know not everyone has that luxury). I also go running at the weekend if I can. I love hiking and once a month we go up to the Lake District and do some walking. I also go trampolining at the local council leisure centre once a week.

I belong to my local cheapo gym (£320 for a year) but I do not use the machines etc. I prefer a dancey aerobics class with great, loud music to get the adrenalin pumping!

I also go for long brisk walks in Richmond Park with my friends, and we gossip as we walk.

I went to the gym faithfully for a decade until I realised it was full of other peoples gruesome germs

Now I swim (but not all year round) and walk

Easier on the joints but the weight is creeping on

Anna8888 - at the hamsters

Thanks for all the replies... the gym membership has been cancelled