Will I regret giving up membership to small group sessions weights gym to train at home?!

[DelphineDuck]

I currently go to a gym that focuses on strength training and does small group sessions.

I love it but it’s ££££ and while I have been able to make the time to go 3x per week it is coming at the expense of my social life (which is currently pathetic) and getting in the way of other hobbies such as cycling (which are really my true loves).

I definitely still want to strength train & understand the importance.

Am I kidding myself to think I can / will effectively train at home?

I am fortunate enough to have a designated “gym” room at home (the old garage) and although I don’t have all the gym equipment I have dumbbells, a barbell, Wall bars (for pull ups etc), a TRX, rowing machine & exercise bike. Some of this equipment is pretty old and rusty, but still functional and I’d be saving so much on gym membership I could afford to upgrade a few bits, for example I’d want a proper squat rack.

I’ve made real progress since I joined the gym in January and don’t want to lose it. But if I trained at home I’d save so much time travelling to and from gym, plus I could split my workouts into smaller sessions to fit in my day better.

I'd set yourself a point of review in three months and see where you are in terms of progress and use. Record whenever you train and check you're doing it. If you are, keep going. If not, resubscribe to the gym.

I would say it's depends on your personality!

I have all the gear at home, I used to have Les Mills and also Davina on streaming but I bet i have done less than 1 hours work out in 5 years!
I get much better results by going to a gym. I have friends that can get stuck in with a homeworkout and ignore the washing machine finishing and the Amazon delivery etc.
Does trai u g need to be at the expense of your social life. If you are going 3x a week a 45 min session should cover it.

What’s your goal? It’s great you have a varied gym at home, most people would be jealous (me too)!

Personally a gym makes me work harder and I need the difference between home and gym. I also need the weight availability between upper and lower body exercises.

Thanks @Sillysoggyspaniel unfortunately the gym is oversubscribed and I might not get back in, plus they have ramped the prices up so new members are paying even more £££ than me. So no guarantees I could go back

@notacooldad i am motivated in my personality thankfully

Yes my sessions are 45 mins to an hour but I have to walk there and back (25 mins each way).

I am a working mum of young DC for context so time is tight

@hiintrepidheroes goal is to stay at current weight and not gain fat. Would like to increase strength & muscle of course but I’m not looking to become a professional power lifter or anything!

Like a PP, I need the discipline of the gym. I also have a 30 minute walk each way and that helps me to my weekly target of 100,000 steps per week I aim for a minimum of 85,000 steps (12,000 per day ) but I like to get more in. It’s a really important part of fitness for me. But I’m not a runner!

You can absolutely have a brilliant workout at home, without a membership. I recently traded my membership and instead spent the money on an online coach who helps me work with my nutrition and gives me some home work out tips and I feel the best I've ever felt

@ParmaVioletTea i love walking so easily do the steps anyway. The walk to the gym is very dull too! Not a nice walk especially

@CherylN1978 would you mind sharing which coach? What kind of cost is an online coach?

I'll message you now

Private message you, darl

Can you cycle to the gym? Drop one of your weight sessions for a proper long cycle, although maybe best to wait till the weather warms up.

personally I’d struggle to do a proper home workout but that’s just me. I’d probably do something half arsed at home despite being used to really pushing myself in the gym.

My good local SGPT is £250pcm. I did it for a reset but found it hard to justify. Instead I do drop-in Pilates and reformer Pilates. About to start yin yoga too.
I knew that I would lose some fitness as I also did the same during Covid but not too much. My friend started doing Caroline Girvan and has maintained her fitness.

I have done both and have gone back to a gym. Nothing beats training with others in my view. However, maybe it depends on your setup? Lots of people have success with Caroline Girvan and Les Mills at home but they must have a rack or tonnes of space for all the equipment. I can’t lift more than a 25kg -barbell overhead (back rack position for squats) whereas in a gym with a rack, I can squat much heavier by walking under the bar and placing it on my shoulders.
Where will you store your weights and actually workout? That’s another consideration. And when the doorbell rings with a parcel delivery and you’ve got 20kg dumbbells in each hand, mid lunge….!
I work a lot and my gym is investment for life and longevity so I think it’s money well spent.

I go to a similar set up to yours, it’s £££s but keeps me accountable also I go before work so not too much encroachment on other time. I wouldn’t do it at home. I’ve checked out the local council gym, similar sessions but much cheaper…

I totally get this. I go to a small training group and it is ££££ but I love it, it really Motivates me. I would rather go there than spend the money on drinking, restaurants every week etc. We train a lot and it takes over any 'me time' and I'm struggling to afford it. Financially I should give it up, motivational I don't feel I can.

@DelphineDucki just re read your post and see you’ve got a garage etc. I think the motivation for me just waned eventually, working out at home, and I push myself far harder at the gym. It also gives me a destination and purpose. I work full time, five days out of the house and go three times to the gym. I do a few Les Mills core /step workouts around the edge.i have two teenagers and not much social life but I love training as an antidote to work. I make plans to see friends every couple of weeks but maybe not as often as others.
I think you’d have to have a real goal at home to motivate yourself over time. Would you still fit in your cycling?

Look up Sydney Cummings Howdyshel on YouTube. She does great weights based workouts, all free. I gave up gym membership after Covid and have never looked back. The hours of walking to/from your gym can be so much better utilised!

How is it going working out at home? I’m in a similar position - my gym is £140 pm for 3x sessions a week. I’ve been going 6 months and my body and fitness has improved greatly. I’ve bought equipment to use at home to save money and time, I haven’t quit the gym yet though. I’m hoping because I’ve made such progress I’ll continue myself at home - I’ve learnt a lot from the small gym and want to take my workouts further at home. I’ve also started running again. I want to do a stretch class once a week but be accountable for everything else myself!

@willsandnoodle I still haven’t made the leap! Still have the gym membership

I have managed a couple of decent workouts at home over Xmas when I couldn’t get to gym. I’m just not sure I would have the motivation to continue on my own long term, after the novelty wears off

I’m going to stick with gym until Easter then decide

i also like the fact going to the actual gym gets me out the house and there’s a good sense of community. Which I like because I WFH and don’t have many local friends sadly.

I go to a small group strength training class 3 x week at 6.15am. It’s been nearly 3 years. It’s the people/social interaction that keep me going.