I'm no more subscribed to the gym, honestly, beyond my reasons, I don't mean to be back there for a while at least. I want to exercize at home, or outside, or everywhere else but not at the gym!
What I'm managing to do now (on a hectic schedule) is 30-40 minutes physical activity everyday, with one optional rest day.

For 4 or 5 days a week it is it's made by:
5-10 minutes step
25-30 mins strenght training (pushups, weights, crunches...)

For the remanining 1 or 2 days I have 30 mins swimming at the local pool. I hardly manage to do it for one hour because I get veeery fed up with too many people in a pool too small and being surpassed at every damn lap (yes, I'm slow, then?? ).

There may be some additional running, or hiking, or just plain walking at weekends.

I have 1 stepper, 1 thigh master (love it!), 6lbs weights, aerobic elastic band and I'm going to get 10lbs weights as soon as I find some cheaper ones.

But of course I feel 'guilty' for not going at the gym, like the only exercize that is 'valid' is done at the gym. I try to get over this thought but I still feel like if I don't go to the gym I'm not doing enough?
What do you think? Something I'm doing wrong? Somewhere I could improve?

I'm asking your opinions here so, be cruel!

[Mrs Snark]

Don't feel guilty at all. You are doing quite the variety of cross training activities, sounds fabulous to me.

I don't ever go to the gym. My primary sports are running and biking (heavily weighted on the running side). I like being outside, I have no interest in going to a gym at this time.

My personal preference is to do at least an hour of cardio exercise every day. Anything extra is a bonus. This is what works for me (mentally and physically).

Each of us is different, don't be afraid to march to your own drummer.

[Shannon in ATL]

I don't go to a gym either, I've created my own in my garage with different equipment. The exercise is no less real done at home or outside instead of at a gym!

I don't know where you live, but check your cable provider to see if they have Exercise TV On Demand. I do a lot of videos off of that site.

Good luck!

Thanks!! Lol, I guess I needed some validation to make me feel waht I'm doing is fine, lol!

[chrgrl]

if you're not doing it already, i would look into doing metabolic resistance training when you are doing your weights. basically, compound movements. for instance, doing a squat and a shoulder press at the same time, which gets the heart rate up, and i personally count it as cardio (some don't). a great example of this type of workout is jari love's "get ripped to the core" workout. also, if you search for "metabolic resistance training" on youtube, there will be a few good video examples.

i have heard this is one of the best forms of exercise for people that are pressed for time (and really, who isn't?)

[kiramira]

Hey, given this economic climate, the latest trend in exercise publishing concerns the topic "how to get fit without the gym". You are so right in that it isn't the GYM that gets you fit, YOU get you fit. And you can do this without belonging to a gym.
The only things I can think of are:
Working specifically on balance, flexibility and stretching -- go to the library and find some books on this topic and incorporate this if you can. You don't need a gym for this;
Adding more cardiovascular training in daily -- walking at lunch may work for you, as I understand that you have a HECTIC schedule, but a bit more cardio just for heart health may be helpful.
Other than that, you're doing AWESOME and don't feel guilty about not going to a gym. My DH is in FAB shape and does it through running, cycling and calesthenics. No gym membership. And last year, he bicycled across the country. So there you go...
Kira