To join the gym or not?

[Gemi33]

Hi All,

I am trying to lose weight (so far have lost 2 stone but it is slowing down) and I have been thinking about joining a gym close to me - to help lose the rest of the weight and tone up. The problem is, I'm very indecisive and can't decide! I was previously a member of this gym and left a few years ago because I thought that there's plenty I can do for free (walking etc.). However, in reality, if the weather's bad or in the winter when it's dark early I end up on not walking much and struggle to get motivated to exercise on my own.

The problem is - the gym is not the cheapest (but I know that some of the cheaper ones are further away/don't have a pool/not as nice, so I wouldn't use them and more than the cost, the minimum membership period is a year so I am worried that with the cost of everything going up, if I find in a few months I can no longer afford it I will be locked in for year. I like the idea of the gym, miss going to the pool (especially in this weather) and I live alone so it's quite nice having somewhere away from home to go. On the other hand, it's expensive and there are plenty of ways to exercise without the gym so not sure I can justify it.

Obviously, I know no one can decide for me but I'd be interested to hear from gym goers / ex-gym goers etc. - do you think your gym membership is worth it? What difference has it made to your health/weight etc.?

xx

The gym won't help you lose excess fat, but doing some resistance training alongside eating sufficient protein & getting enough sleep will help to protect your lean muscle making sure it is fat that you are losing.

I started properly weightlifting about two years ago and it's only just now starting to show. Now I'm starting to see muscle mass increase, I'm starting to feel the benefits of increased strength. I haven't been trying to lose weight but my body fat % is down.

Most importantly, from the outset, it's been a gamechanger for my mind. I've never been as happy and confident as I have since I started lifting weights.

The first year I was managing 2-3 20-30 minute sessions per week around work. Now I'm doing 2-3 50-60min sessions but because I've grown to really enjoy it.

Think about what you want from the gym: do you want classes? Or staff available to help you develop a weights program? Think about where it is - location can be the biggest factor in whether you'll actually attend. I use a poorly equipped gym at work at least once a week because it's right there. And then the local better gym when I'm waiting for DS at his activity.

Do it, you'll love it (eventually)

I think the huge benefit of the gym is strength and conditioning ie lifting weights and then a bit of weights/cardio. If it’s an expensive gym I’m guessing there are decent PTs you will set you a programme.

That’s made a huge difference to my fitness so I’d do it on those grounds, but you’ve also said you like the pool and it’s somewhere to go that isn’t home, so it’s good for your mental health. It also sounds like it’s close enough to home that you would go, and you know from experience it makes it easier to exercise in winter.

Exercise doesn’t do a huge amount for direct weight loss, but it does lift your mood so you keep at it. There’s also good evidence that people with an exercise habit do much better keeping weight off as they’ve created a lifestyle change. Weight apart exercise does a huge amount to support good health, which will become increasingly important as you get older - someone said if you could take it’s benefits in pill form, it would be hailed a miracle cure. In short, it’s not something to skimp on.

So - join. If you joined and couldn’t afford it you would just contact CAB and get them to help you write a letter to freeze your membership if necessary. But as it’s good for you mental and physical health you will prioritise it so it probably won’t be necessary. I think you are overthinking OP, just get on with it.

Plus you can save on your own utility bills when you shower there, dry your hair and so on 😁
I know it's not much off the cost of the gym membership but it's something

I would work out how often you are likely to use it and see what the cost per visit is. Think realistically about what you're likely to use - are there classes at the time you're likely to visit and would you go to them ?

I am a member of a cheap gym now so if I go once a week it's only £5 per visit.

I was a member of David Lloyd for a bit as I really wanted to use the outdoor pool, but because it was 10 miles away it became a bit more of a chore than a pleasure as it was so expensive I felt I needed to go at least 3 times a week.

The gym helped me to lose weight. I tried to do things on my own before or follow online exercise classes, but I am more motivated and keep going for longer in the gym. I also find group exercise classes very helpful. I’m not in an expensive gym and I can cancel anytime so its not that big a financial commitment for me…but if there is a gym that you like and can afford, I think it’s worth it.

Thanks so much for the replies - the one I'm looking at (and have been a member of before) is really close to me, which as most of you have said is quite important. In the past I have been a member of cheaper gyms that are further away and have not used them because they have been a pain to get to. I do like the pool and the fact that it has nice grounds (I live alone in a flat so a change of scene and outside space is nice). The gym and classes are good too. I just wish it was cheaper (or at least I wasn't going to be locked in for a year) - as someone has said, if I work it out per visit then it's not too bad (if I went twice a week it would be £7.50 a visit or £5 a visit if I went three times a week) but with the cost of living crisis and being only a single income household I just worry about my rent going up or other expenses increasing and then it just feels like such a luxury to be considering it.

How often did you go when you were previously a member?

From what you've written, it seems worth it.

So it's about £60 a month. Some people would spend more than that in daily coffees. I think you want to, so you should go for it. Be very ruthless at the end of the year though- with David Lloyd when I went to cancel they started offering me free months to stay on, so play hardball at that point.

Put your health first. If the gym will help you get healthy and have enjoyable workouts then do it. A good exercise habit is easier to maintain if it is enjoyable and is easy to fit into the week. If you are a sociable person then it also offers classes out can’t do on your own. Plus, if it is hot/ rainy/ cold, you have no excuses. I would join but would make sure I get maximum use out of it.

Sounds like a good value gym

If you are worried about medium
term affordability - what would you do if everything went up 10% - could you still afford it - then no brainier - would you have to cut something ( takeaway , haircuts , fine : food quality and heating less fine )

Thanks for all the responses, some interesting points to consider. I think I'm feeling a bit directionless at the moment and having just turned 40 feel like I probably need to find a purpose or a hobby or just something to focus on and I thought the gym might be a way to do that but obviously with the cost of everything rising I'm just a bit unsure but you have all been really helpful!

Have you thought about parkrun @Gemi33 ? It's really sociable and lots of them meet for coffee afterwards.Also free .

I've never been a runner at all so not something I have really considered.