Is it really worth it?

[JustAnotherGay]

I am thinking of joining a gym to get fitter/build muscle etc... but is it worth it? Memberships are really expensive, and for anyone that uses one, do you think that it is better than exercising outside a gym environment, and what results do you get? Cheers.

[TigerBoy]

Personally I think so. Especially as in Scotland you are probably going to be less keen to go out and exercise outside several months of the year.

You'll have access to a wider variety of exercises which is generally better than fewer (which you can more easily over-train on and get injuries).

You may also find it more motivating as an enviroment : tv screens, cute boys, games on the machines, feedback from the machines about how you are doing .... (but I had you at cute boys, didn't I?)

[Apollo.]

Totally agree with tigerboy, I'm in Scotland to so running or any kind of outdoor exercise isn't great with the weather here, Also when I train it's mainly weight/resistance training so to get the size and variety of weights I need to train effectively would not just be impractical but also probably a lot more expensive than a membership. As for motivation I find it much easier to push myself in the gym cause there is always someone there that you can grab to spot you for the last few reps. Yeah and also the people in the gym although it's cute girls for me it's the same idea!

[Carlsen]

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I will not think to join a gym. It is not worth it. I will just take a sport in school.




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[Sleepy Raisin]

Yes, it is. Although finding time to put it in your schedule.. Ehhh... But if buildung a better physique is something you really want, then do it!

[Human]

You're 16 so you should be able to use proper weights and equipment. It will be worth it if you're dedicated, you'll see gains.

[Nellerin]

Anyone over 14 with an interest in building muscle and getting fit should join a gym. If you have questions on what routines or exercises to do just message me.

[HunterSteele]

They're worth it if you use them. You have to be serious about it. Too many people procrastinate and end up never using them.

Have you ever gone by the name @Keiranism on Twitter? I used to follow someone called Kieran from the UK/Scotland.

[AppealToReason]

Personally, I don't find them worth it, but that may be due to the weather here. I think gyms are better for those who really want to build huge muscle as opposed to those just looking to get in shape. You can do plenty of exercises at home to lose weight without equipment and run outside if the weather is good. If not, you could always use the school gym to exercise. I don't know how your school works, but my coach has allowed me to use the equipment the sports players use, so you can try that.

[TigerBoy]

Personally, I don't find them worth it, but that may be due to the weather here. I think gyms are better for those who really want to build huge muscle as opposed to those just looking to get in shape. You can do plenty of exercises at home to lose weight without equipment and run outside if the weather is good. If not, you could always use the school gym to exercise. I don't know how your school works, but my coach has allowed me to use the equipment the sports players use, so you can try that.


Our gyms typically aren't just about muscle, in fact all the ones I have seen (and i've seen a few as i'm studying PE) have lots of aerobic kit usually.
Other than running, what home exercises without equipment do you recommend?
The weather is definately a limiting factor here (and demotivating to a novice). Running is also not appropriate exercise for everyone (eg I'm prone to impact related injuries).
Not all schools here in the UK have actual gyms in that sense. In fact I get the impression most don't, and if they do they'll probably just have a multigym and some free weights because of the cost of buying and maintaining machines.

[Nellerin]

Personally, I don't find them worth it, but that may be due to the weather here. I think gyms are better for those who really want to build huge muscle as opposed to those just looking to get in shape. You can do plenty of exercises at home to lose weight without equipment and run outside if the weather is good. If not, you could always use the school gym to exercise. I don't know how your school works, but my coach has allowed me to use the equipment the sports players use, so you can try that.

Thinking gyms are only about building big muscle doesn't make sense, especially when doctors recommend that even elderly people go to them (obviously their not trying to get big muscle.) Getting in shape is generally best at a gym and easiest plus there are almost no good exercises you can do w/ out equipment at home.

[JustAnotherGay]

You may also find it more motivating as an enviroment : tv screens, cute boys, games on the machines, feedback from the machines about how you are doing .... (but I had you at cute boys, didn't I?)
haha Yes you did! :O Thanks for everyone's advice, going to give it a go at the gym!

Have you ever gone by the name @Keiranism on Twitter? I used to follow someone called Kieran from the UK/Scotland. aww nope! sorry!

[Zenos]

Personally I think so. Especially as in Scotland you are probably going to be less keen to go out and exercise outside several months of the year.

You'll have access to a wider variety of exercises which is generally better than fewer (which you can more easily over-train on and get injuries).

You may also find it more motivating as an enviroment : tv screens, cute boys, games on the machines, feedback from the machines about how you are doing .... (but I had you at cute boys, didn't I?)



I totallly disagree with the idea of more exercises are better then a few.

A Good example is Brooks Kubik he does a handfull of exercises and is a a human bull when it comes to building muscle the natural way.

And stay away from the machine weights barbells and dumbbells are your best options!

[AppealToReason]

Thinking gyms are only about building big muscle doesn't make sense, especially when doctors recommend that even elderly people go to them (obviously their not trying to get big muscle.) Getting in shape is generally best at a gym and easiest plus there are almost no good exercises you can do w/ out equipment at home.
No good exercises? I can do push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, squats, yoga, walking, jogging, planks, ect at home without any equipment and still get in shape. Thinking you need a gym or equipment to get in shape doesn't make sense. There are multiple exercises you can do at home. Shit, my soccer team uses some popular workout DvD that doesn't require equipment every day during eighth period.
Plus, I never said gyms are only about building muscle, I said they are better for it because you actually need equipment for most strength training exercises, but plenty of people can loose weight and/or get in shape without a gym.
And I don't know what doctors you are talking about, my the doctors that treat my elderly family members have never recommend going to a gym. They always say to go to the pool or take brief walks, but not one has told us to go to a gym unless they were injured and needed special care.

[Cicero]

The results you get depends on how often you go, what exercises you do, how hard you work, and how your diet is. A gym has stuff that a normal household wouldnt

[Nellerin]

No good exercises? I can do push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, squats, yoga, walking, jogging, planks, ect at home without any equipment and still get in shape. Thinking you need a gym or equipment to get in shape doesn't make sense. There are multiple exercises you can do at home. Shit, my soccer team uses some popular workout DvD that doesn't require equipment every day during eighth period.
Plus, I never said gyms are only about building muscle, I said they are better for it because you actually need equipment for most strength training exercises, but plenty of people can loose weight and/or get in shape without a gym.
And I don't know what doctors you are talking about, my the doctors that treat my elderly family members have never recommend going to a gym. They always say to go to the pool or take brief walks, but not one has told us to go to a gym unless they were injured and needed special care.

You do realize those excercises will build little or no muscle at all, only condition them and "shape" them which is not what most people want. If you actually want to build muscle then going to a gym is the way. Look it up, there is tons of research backing up elders going to gyms.

Research backing my claim http://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0201/p419.html

Muscle mass decreases every decade in the elder years and therefore strength training can greatly improve lifestyle and potential life span in older people, tons of research showing this not just me talking.

[AppealToReason]

...which is exactly my point. Those exercises are to get fit at home without equipment. I never said they would build muscle like using equipment. I KNOW you need to go to the gym or use some type of equipment to get more than average muscle. But basic strength exercises are helpful for building an average amount of muscle. You won't have huge arms, but pushups and pullups DO build muscle.
If you want crazy results, go to a gym.
If you want to get in shape without building larger than average muscles with no time constraint, workout at home and save a few bucks.
That is all I'm saying.

[TigerBoy]

...which is exactly my point. Those exercises are to get fit at home without equipment. I never said they would build muscle like using equipment. I KNOW you need to go to the gym or use some type of equipment to get more than average muscle. But basic strength exercises are helpful for building an average amount of muscle. You won't have huge arms, but pushups and pullups DO build muscle.
If you want crazy results, go to a gym.
If you want to get in shape without building larger than average muscles with no time constraint, workout at home and save a few bucks.
That is all I'm saying.

While you are correct, it is entirely possible to avoid the gym route (and there is a reason Army PT includes huge amounts of time nowhere near a gym) you seem to be missing the point that a few of us have already made that gym training is NOT just about muscle, and doesn't have to be about muscle at all.

Gyms have LOTS of aerobic kit, which is where some people spend all of their visit.

Resistance training is also not just about muscle : one benefit is that is can improve bone density, which is important for middle aged woman and older people. This sort of thing is going to generally be safer and more effective using all the machines etc. for that type of person.

So yes, you can avoid gyms, but that statement does not logically mean that gyms are of no benefit unless you want huge muscle.

@Zenos - There's plenty of science and experience to show that fewer exercises = overtraining and injury risk, with less benefit to fewer muscle groups. Using the same bit of kit (or simple kit) in clever ways is not the same as doing fewer exercises.

[Zenos]

I am thinking of joining a gym to get fitter/build muscle etc... but is it worth it? Memberships are really expensive, and for anyone that uses one, do you think that it is better than exercising outside a gym environment, and what results do you get? Cheers.


Just get yourself the weights you need and a weightbench and get a good program like these:

http://www.seriouspowerlifting.com/2843/articles/20-rep-squat-program


And train at home you'd not have to wait for people to get out of the way so you can use a weight,you'd not be bombarded with misinformation,nor have to deal with destractions!

Home training is best,and some of the strongest people that lift weights never went into a gym they trained at home alone or with freinds.

[Straight]

Going to a gym would defiantly help you! But I would try and find a mate who would go with you, as you would motivate each other! Maybe you could see who could go the furthest on a rowing machine for 10 minutes?

This post makes me want to message a friend to go to a gym with me :)

(Also, Chicks/Guys love it when you say you go to a gym ;P)