Gym membership or personal home gym?

gstjoker · 10-14-2006

What do you guys recommend? I live in WI so the only gym I am close to is the YMCA and membership is like $150 a month? I was thinking about just getting something like a personal home gym because it'll be convenient. If I go that way, I'll probably get something like a bench press, treadmill and some other full, mainly upper body work.

Like always, I'm on a budget but I like to hear what your thoughts and personal opinions are on what I should do or get.

Bode · 10-14-2006

I am a big fan of Lifetime, but if you are looking for a home gym, I have good things about Bo Flex.

**JET** · 10-14-2006

$150/mo is nuts! I think you had better double check the price. I doubt it is over $40/mo at a Y. Might me a membership fee though when you first start.

gstjoker · 10-14-2006

Okay, I made a mistake. Price has been fixed. It's only about $40 a month with $116 downpayment. For some reason I thought it was $140. Oh yea, and I get a 10% discount through my job.

dylan · 10-14-2006

Do anything except ANYTIME FITNESS.

Jed · 10-15-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by dylan

Do anything except ANYTIME FITNESS.

Ugh! Robbers! I won't bother going into the story but lets just say that if you think about becoming a member ask LOTS of questions.

It depends on what you want to do. If you are just going to use the weight room at the Y then you may as well get a home gym like the bowflex. (from the makers of the soloflex :P) But if you want to use the pool, play b-ball or other stuff you may be best going to the Y.

AJ · 10-15-2006

more info on Anytime Fitness?

Jakey · 10-16-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSMStyle

more info on Anytime Fitness?

+1

I don't know about up North but Anytime Fitnesses are popping up at fast as they can open them down here.

Jana · 10-16-2006

Like others have said, depends on what you would use at a gym. If it's just the basics, like treadmill & weights, I'd look into buying home gym equipment (if you have the room at home). Otherwise it's nice to get away and hit the gym. That's not a bad price either.

Hoffer00 · 10-16-2006

Trust me you want to do a home gym. The girls are nice but in the end you will end up not going to the gym for one reason or another.

Jed · 10-16-2006

My Anytime Fitness story (short version) goes like this:

I go in, look around, not much for free weights but I'll make do. I talk to the hottie working and she says they have a special that is running and she can get me in for about 42 dollars a month with 3 months of free tanning. So I decide to go ahead and do it. After about a month and a half or so, it starts getting so busy that an hour long workout takes 2 hours. Waiting for stuff sucks. So I finally get frustrated and tell the hotness I want out. She says she can't do it as I'm locked in for 18 months. 18 months! What the hell. The only way I can get out is if I move or I find someone to take my place. So I start swearing until everyone in the gym is wondering who the little angry man is. So basically I'm gonna go tell them I'm moving here pretty soon.

CDeutsch · 10-18-2006

I'd start by getting yourself a good set of running shoes and then going outside and running (maybe look on the web for a good way to work up to being able to run AT LEAST three miles in one shot). If you find out you do it on a regular basis then look into a gym or home gym. If you're not motivated enough to get out and run, you'll probably give up on the gym as well. At least this way you're not out a bunch of money and if you do stick to it you'll be in better shape to start a regular work out at a gym (or home gym).

AJ · 10-18-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jed

My Anytime Fitness story (short version) goes like this:

I go in, look around, not much for free weights but I'll make do. I talk to the hottie working and she says they have a special that is running and she can get me in for about 42 dollars a month with 3 months of free tanning. So I decide to go ahead and do it. After about a month and a half or so, it starts getting so busy that an hour long workout takes 2 hours. Waiting for stuff sucks. So I finally get frustrated and tell the hotness I want out. She says she can't do it as I'm locked in for 18 months. 18 months! What the hell. The only way I can get out is if I move or I find someone to take my place. So I start swearing until everyone in the gym is wondering who the little angry man is. So basically I'm gonna go tell them I'm moving here pretty soon.

Ouch, 18 months would suck.

Right now we are both paying for year long memberships. I think I have been there 3 times since signing up this last jan.

I won't sign up for another one till I am out running on a daily basis and I've been telling myself I'd do that tomorrow for the past 2 months.

Jed · 10-18-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSMStyle

I won't sign up for another one till I am out running on a daily basis and I've been telling myself I'd do that tomorrow for the past 2 months.

That's funny, I've been saying the same thing. Sure is easy to find excuses isn't it.

AJ · 10-18-2006

Plenty easy. TV, sleep, drink beer. All things I'd prefer to make time for over working out. I think I will have a better chance at the whole running thing now that I'm kicking smoking again. 18 days and counting.

Steeltwo · 10-18-2006

from my experience with home gyms.

i'd go for an gym membership. Three people I know have or had home gyms. Some elaborate, others just some dumbells and free weights.

same thing happened on all of them. They kept a workout routine for two maybe three weeks at most.
one of my friends bought a 1200 home gym that used free weights and a few pulley systems.

he used it three times, sold it to his brother for 150 bones when he moved.