So I am thinking about joining a gym... I really dont have a ton of extra money at all, but I think it is something I could probably validate. I think I might stop by a few on my way home from work and see if I could try any of them for week or so.

I have really bad knees and have had surgery in the past... So just general "go outside for a run" is totally out of the question.

What do you guys think? Are gyms a good idea? Would just like to hear your feedback.

:-)

xoxo-La Vie Boheme

My beef with gyms, at least the ones here - is that you make you sign you a contact.

For me, I have decided the way to go is use the city centres - parks and services, they are some different options. From 10 tickets to monthly, yearly, etc passes. There is swimming, skating, gyms, etc. If you have something like this I suggest looking into that. At least for us here, this option is cheaper - I'm not stuck paying for 2 years and I get way more choices. The gym is lacking though in compared to a "real" gym - but I really just go to swim. Swimming burns a ton of calories and is easy on your body. Could be good for you knees.

I just don't think I should have to sign a contract to go to a gym - signing it for my cell phone is bad enough!

I go to the local YMCA. I'm under my dad's family plan. I've been a member since I was 16 so I don't think they have realized years later that I am an adult now and they can start charging my the normal rate. Oh well, I'm not gonna say anything since they already take enough money from my dad :P

You could always just start off by going for walks in your neighbourhood rather than overwhelming yourself at the gym.

Never ever ever ever sign a contract. If they want you to sign one, walk out the door. I pay month to month and always have. Also, never pay a sign up fee and everything is negotiable!

Definitely try them out. I've asked for a few day passes to see how I like it and I have had no problem walking away and finding the gym that's right for me. Work out at a few different places to see if they have what you need, whether it be a pool, lots of cardio equipment, lots classes... whatever. It's just one of those things that's SO easy to throw money away on every month s you might as well find one you have the greatest chance of actually using.

If you're new to exercising... I honestly think you should hold off until you KNOW you're committed. There's lots of free and semi-free exercises you can do in the mean time.

There's the One Hundred Push Up Challenge, the well-known Couch to 5k, millions of free work out videos online and on YouTube... And then there's still some cheaper options like DVDs, or if you own a Wii, then there's some options there too.

What I'd recommend is picking up one of these challenges (100 push ups, C25K, 30 Day Shred, or any other challenge that has an ultimate goal) and if and ONLY if you complete the one of your choice, you'll reward yourself with a gym membership

I think I have a different perspective on gyms, since I manage one.

1) A lot of people are opposed to contracts. Not just here in the thread- but that I encounter daily. And while I do understand the apprehension, for some places it's just the policy. The gym I work for does not have a month-to-month option. We are the only gym in town that doesn't. However, I like to think we hold our own against our competitors due to our outstanding customer service! The way I try to view contracts is that you are committing to your health and fitness. Yes, a year seems like a long time- but really, are you planning to quit in a year or less? Or are you planning to change your lifestyle? Make sure you are comfortable with a gym and are 100% clear on cancellation policies before signing anything- but it's not always a bad thing!

--- on a related note: not everything is negotiable. Generally, if they tell you "I can see you're interested, so I can waive this joining fee for you"- it's the same deal they are prepared to offer every other person that walks in the door.

2) Definitely look to see if you can get a pass of some sort. If you are going to join a gym, you want to be comfortable. You also want to be sure it's going to fit into your routine. Is it close enough to work and/or home to be convenient? Are the hours going to work around your schedule? Is it crowded or busy during the times you will be able to work out (will the equipment you want be available?)

3) Do NOT be afraid to ask for help! Any good gym employee should be willing to answer your questions, show you how to use equipment, etc... whether you are a new member, an old member, or on a temporary pass (especially if you are on a pass). If you have injuries that limit some of your exercise options- find out if they offer a free machine orientation/training session/first workout. Most gyms I have been to (and all the ones I've worked at) offer new members a chance to have a basic program put together for them by a trainer- someone who will modify exercises to take injury into account and make sure you can do everything safely and with good form.

All that said- whether or not a gym is a good choice tends to vary from person to person. I work out at my gym, and also at home. My in-laws tried to workout at home, and could never commit to it until they joined a gym. My mother, on the other hand, would rather walk in her neighborhood than pay someone else to walk on their treadmill. To each his/her own!

~Dagny

Find one where you don't have to sign contracts. I'm not in the US so can't speak for the way things work there, but here places like universities and clubs [clubs as in sporting clubs] have public gyms where you can pay by the visit, monthly, six monthly, or yearly without having to sign a contract. You might not get the classes or personal trainers that you get at a full-service gym but you also get no pushy sales people or joining fees or obligations. My boyfriend goes to the gym down the road from us at a sports club - $80 a month for unlimited visits, and has a pool, cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, a sauna, and a couple of little private rooms if you want to do your own yoga workouts or whatever. It costs less if you want to buy a 6 month or yearly membership or you can pay $7 per visit if you just want to try it out.

I also love my gym, I find it incredibly motivating and helpful.
The staff there should be able to answer any questions and help you on what exercises you shouldn't do because of your knees.
There are lots of gyms that want your business, so they will let you try it out first. Most gyms give so many free times, or a free week type of thing.
I've never been asked to sign a contract, but I wouldn't mind doing it because I do enjoy my gym, the atmosphere and the people.
Also once you join you can see about getting a friend pass, and have a work out buddy for a little while.
I also find that by going to the gym, I put in more effort because I went all the way there, and I'm not like "oh my tv is just upstairs, how about I go do that instead of work out" like I do at home. I also enjoy watching people (not in a creepy way) to pick up new exercises and maybe something I haven't tried before.
My two cents.

I say go for it.

I'm considering joining a gym for at least a few months myself and it'll def help keep me on track and stay motivated.

I started, at the very beginning, without a gym. Mostly I was intimidated and worried to sign a contract without having made progress. So I got a mini-trampoline, did a lot of walking, did some exercise videos, and used resistance bands in my home.

Then, about 6 months in, I wanted to step it up, so I joined a gym and got a trainer. And it made a BIG difference in my progress. I don't know if it would have been worth it at first, but it definitely was when I was working out at my peak. Plus it allowed me to form a preference on equipment, which was important because...

At a certain point, I decided to just buy my own equipment. I knew what features I needed, what I liked, what weights I needed, etc because I had experimented at the gym. I also had that trainer-based knowledge on what to do, so I could exercise in my own home without messing up on form or not doing the right exercises for my goals.

If you're comfortable at a gym, it can be a great tool. If you're going to not go because it's far away, you feel uncomfortable, or any other reason, you might consider getting into the habit of exercise first with inexpensive home equipment, and graduating to the gym as a way to step it up once you're already hooked on the exercise itself.

My point is, that for every gym that tries to make you sign a contract or pay a sign up fee, there are plenty of gyms that do not.

I guess what I was trying to say, which did not come out well, was that some things are non-negotiable to me as a gym-goer. I would just go elsewhere.

La Vie- You know, I have been contemplating getting a gym membership for several weeks now. I was previously signed up through Bally's Total Fitness. I signed up right when I turned 19 and was just beginning to gain my weight. I wanted to get a handle on it so I thought why not? I got a good deal, three year contract at 32 bucks a month-third year was free. I could probably count on my fingers and toes just how many times I went. It was pretty sad. It was a lot of wasted money.

I finally talked myself out of another one two weeks ago until I went to Costco. They had a 2 year membership all access to 24hour Fitness for 300 bucks. I did it. I'm still scared that I won't go but I am so serious about my weight loss that I don't have much choice. I HAVE to.

I don't know if this was helpful to you or not. I don't believe in going to the gym just to walk on a treadmill. I can do that for free in my neighborhood. I mainly signed up for the access to the ammenities. Classes, instructors, meeting new friends, pool, sauna, and weight lifting.

I hope this helps. My best advice would be to find the amenities you like and decide what will work for you and whether it would be useful.

I am a big fan of the YMCA. It's a little bit less intimidating, and most of them have an easy month-to-month option. They offer great free programs to get you started on the machines as well. At least, mine does!

Joining a gym is probably a good thing. Just make sure you like it.

I joined Curves in January and only went a handful of times. Once I worked out on the equipment I realized it didn't do much for me. Now i'm stuck paying $34 a month until January. I don't know why I didn't test it out before I signed the dotted line. Live and learn.