That is great you can get so much satisfaction in so many ways going to your gym. Yes, improving the overall health and quality of life is most important.

How much are you looking to spend on a gym? I know a lot of gyms out there work with your budget, so you don't spend ridiculous amounts on membership. Like 24 Hour Fitness has all kinds of membership offers for different budget$....not sure if they have their gyms in Ohio tho. I would still inquire about it with other gyms tho. It doesn't hurt to ask!

Time
We have two options around where I live. The Y which is 450 dollars a year membership and curves which is only open a few hours a day and is 35 dollars a month. Way to much for me to spend.

Have you even tried to see if they will work with your budget? Or maybe getting a part time membership for cheaper? 24 Hour Fitness a membership type called the 'Keep Fit One Club'. This allows access to one location and features low monthly dues. Maybe the gyms around you offer something similar that makes membership cheaper because it is limited?

Times
I live in a little tiny town. Heck I have to drive at least 1/2 an hour to get to most everything. There really isn't much around here. On the one hand that is terrible on the other hand we wouldn't want it any other way. I did ask about the types of member ships they have and none of them are cheap and they sure don't work with peoples budgets.

Wow...that doesn't make for good customer service! They shouldn't be scaring away the interested members by outrageous prices! I hope that you find a fun routine that is affordable to you without having to leave state! :-p I feel really fortunate that my gym worked with my budget...even as a single working student, I have my share of expenses!

Times
I do the walking/aerobic videos so I am happy with that. Would have been nice for at least one day a week to go join other ladies to do classes or use machines. Just something different.

gyms i am lazy at home

I prefer to exercise outside or at home. It's free and easy. Besides, if I had to get in my car to go somewhere to exercise it would never happen.

Gym. I dont want to buy all the equipment that I want to work out on.

Another vote for home. After a long day at work the last thing I want to do is be in a gym surrounded by people. Alone time goes a long way in my world.

I agree...I don't want to put up the cash for all that fancy equipment they have at 24 Hour Fitness. For me, I like all the people at the gym. The community is pleasant and it's nice to socialize with people who have the similar goals in mind.

I am at a real Splittsville right now. I thought I would not go back to a gym and buy one of those home gym machines that can do 50 diff. exercises or so (of course, they are expensive) but I am not sure if I have room for that. I am also not sure if I should be doing all the exercises on my own without any guidance.

Recently, I stopped at Curves (just to check out what they offer). Geez, it was one stinky room (ok, it did not really stink, but it was cramped) with all those machines in a circle (it seemed to me that some of the equipment was there more than once - that little walking platform? not sure what the proper name is). Anyway, they wanted $45 for monthly memberhip. I thought I would laugh the lady in the face - $45 for THIS???

Two weeks later, I went to a gym not too far from my house (about 7 minute drive), they are open 24 hours (Mon-Fri) and morning to evening on weekends, they offer a number of classes (no sign up, you should show up), no "tiered" membership (the monthly fee gives you access to everything, INCLUDING THE CLASSES) and it is - gasp - only $45 a month if you go for annual membership. (No obligation membership is $55 per month). I say it is ONLY $45 a month because compared to the Curves, that give you so little in comparison) it does seem appropriate to say "only".

My only problem is that I am not sure how to squeeze everything into my week - full time job, a 45 minute walk with the dogs each day, treadmill at home and now the garden wants it due.

First preference would be outdoors, but weather, pollen & safety issues at the times I can work out (early am or late evening) make that tricky most of the workweek.

Second preference would be home, but not a lot of room or equipment variety. And as noisy as downstairs neighbor is, don't want to wake her up in the am.

So, I go with my 3rd choice, the gym. Once I get there, I don't mind it & going that early actually shortens the commute (less traffic). It's just the trying to get showered/dressed part in a small space with a lot of people part I don't like. Though I have become friendly with some of the regulars & if I don't go, they'll notice. Which is good for accountability.

I would prefer a gym, but the closest one is 1 hours drive (I live out in the boonies) so home is for me. I actually do like it though cause I can get my kids involved in it with me.

I do have to say once it warms up 90% of my workouts will be outside!