Author Topic: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?  (Read 11657 times)

ReadySetMillionaire

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Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« on: July 08, 2015, 07:42:59 AM »
I usually stayed in decent shape through undergrad and law school due to walking to class and using the gym 2-3 times per week. Since I graduated law school last May, however, my life has become much more busy while simultaneously becoming much more sedentary. I sit at my desk from 8:30 to 5:00 while I'm at the office and then even more when I work at home.

I kind of hit my physical rock bottom earlier this year. I'm 5'8 and ballooned to up to 199.8 pounds and, more importantly, found that I was extremely sore after playing a game of...softball. This motivated me to get a decent hold of things--I improved my diet, went on walks during my lunch break and at night with my girlfriend, and added more physical activity (e.g., cut my dad's grass with a push mower).

I got my weight down to about 189 pounds, but things have plateaued. I really haven't made much progress in the last month and it's been frustrating. I'm still sore for a couple days after playing softball and that's actually de-motivating me from doing more physical/grinding exercise in the morning.

So I'm contemplating joining Planet Fitness, which is $10.73 per month and has a $31.00 annual fee. That's pretty cheap ($159.76 annually) and shouldn't impact me too much financially. I really miss lifting with weights and using cardio machines...that's when I was in the best shape of my life.

I hesitate, though, because I think my problem is more on the mental/motivational side than what I'm actually doing. There's a local bike trail right across the street from the gym that is obviously free...I should go running there but I never do. My girlfriend has Insanity tapes and I think about using them...but never do. I have ample space to do exercises at home (push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, etc.)...and never do. And I've had gym memberships before--much more expensive ones--and eventually stopped going for weeks at a time.

So I guess my question is this: should I make the plunge and join a gym? Or, for those with desk jobs, what do you do to stay healthy if you don't belong to a gym?

I wake up at about 6:30 and don't go into the office until 8:30 or 9:00, so time isn't the issue. It's motivation. I'm hoping there's some sort of great home circuit (30-45 minutes) that I could do each morning to improve my overall health without the necessity of paying a gym membership fee.

Thanks.

Jeremy E.

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2015, 07:49:42 AM »
You could get a couple sets of dumbells or kettle bells, maybe even adjustable dumbells. Do insanity and also some dumbell powercleans, dumbell overhead press, dumbell floor press, dumbell rows, etc. Also ride a bike to work.

kimmarg

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2015, 07:54:33 AM »
The best exercise is the exercise you actually DO. If a gym is what you like Planet fitness certainly sounds reasonable.  Personally I love classes and get lots of motivation from them. So I pay for classes even though yes, there are free ones online, because the classes I actually GO to and like. (I'm a social person so the "see you next week!" From class friends is motivating) try it, you can always cancel later. In the long run paying a small fee now and being healthy is better than having health problems later.

stlbrah

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2015, 08:22:31 AM »
I love gyms but planet fitness isn't worth it.

Not only are those gyms a joke, but they wave pizza and donuts in your face. Yes, they really do have pizza and donuts. And this isn't some modern gluten free cracker pizza with feta cheese

Lis

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2015, 08:35:34 AM »
I'm a +1 for Planet Fitness. I was a member a few years ago when it was a lot more local than it is now. If you can wait a little bit, see if their memberships go on sale. Or just ask. I signed up for $10, not $31. But I'm with kimmarg - get yourself to do the exercises. I really wish there was one closer to my new location or I'd sign up again in a heart beat.

frugaliknowit

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2015, 08:39:57 AM »
I have no problem with your joining a cheap gym IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE IT.  Given that you have a track record of NOT using it, I say no for now.

Your problem is motivation.  I'm not sure what would motivate you.  Maybe take your shirt off, take a picture of your self, and tape it to the frig?  Measure your waist and compare it to maybe 30-32 inches?  Maybe get a physical and see if your cholestorol and or blood pressure is bad?  Does your girlfriend complain about your being out of shape?  Maybe she could be a motivator?

2ndTimer

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2015, 08:43:53 AM »
I'm with Kimmarg, the best exercise is the one you do.  So think about why you aren't doing the free exercises that are available to you.  If after thought you decide that the gym is a good idea, try it for a set period and reevaluate at the end of that time.  If you are not using the gym quit paying.  If you are using the gym continue paying and using it.

AH013

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2015, 09:39:14 AM »
I don't have a gym anymore.  When I did, I found the commute to the gym to be the biggest obstacle to me actually going to the gym.  It's bad enough trying to motivate yourself to work out, I didn't need to add on motivating myself to commute 20-40 minutes roundtrip to the gym to do that workout too.  And as a fellow professional knowledge worker I also didn't need to be emasculated by lunks who spend their days picking things up and putting things down who'd put my muscles to shame in front of women by benching a boulder...not a huge factor but let's be honest and put that on the table as a demotivating factor to gym visits.

What I found was that a nice set of adjustable dumbbells at home has been fairly good at replacing a gym and packs into a convenient space.  Master 10 or so complex dumbbell exercises (deadlifts, rows, goblin squats, squat thrusts, thrusters, lunges, tricep extensions, etc.) and you have a pretty nice regime for a full body workout.  You can bang out a pretty intense circuit in under 30 minutes and can start the minute the mood strikes -- even do it during a TV show if you're so inclined.  If you know enough good complex exercises and have the forms down, you can switch things up so it's new and exciting each day, or schedule out a set block of them each week to create more structure in your workout, whichever suits you.

Check craigslist or get something like this, and you should be able to go from being winded after a light game of softball to finding 50lb dumbbells too light for an effective workout in about 6 months.  If you're still staying with it when that happens, all you need to do is buy a set of 4-25lber plates and you're probably good for the rest of your life unless you're looking to be a professional bodybuilder who'll be lifting dumbbells over 100lbs.  New 200lbs of plates and 2 bars will cost you about a year's worth of Planet Fitness.  Used -- maybe only $60.  Your first set of maybe 40lbs should be less than what you'd pay for your first month of PF.  Packs into a milk crate sized corner of a room (leave it out in plain sight...adds to the motivation factor).
http://www.amazon.com/105-Adjustable-Cast-Iron-Dumbbells/dp/B009GC76NW/ref=sr_1_3?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1436363380&sr=1-3&keywords=adjustable+dumbbells

The cardio piece...nothing will motivate you for that.  If the appeal of fresh air and a scenic trail doesn't motivate you to go for a run/bike ride/etc, I highly doubt the appeal of a humid, stuffy, stinky, industrial warehouse jam-packed with people fighting over who gets to eat Twinkies while watching TV on the recumbent bike will motivate you.  Do what you did in college -- don't try to cardio in circles or in place, use cardio as a form of transportation to get you TO somewhere and you'll be more likely to exercise.

Megma

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2015, 12:11:56 PM »
You said you enjoy cardio machines and weights, so maybe planet fitness will solve your motivation issue by allowing you to do the type of exercise you enjoy? Will you plan to work out in the morning when you are up before work? You indicated you have time then. If so, check what time they open in the morning to make sure you can go then.

Personally, I pay for a gym membership (much more than 10/month) but I go 3x/week+ on a consistently basis. I pay more for a gym that offers classes (though I considered changing to Planet Fitness when they opened here) because I like to go to work out classes. Yes, there are free trails all over but I like to do ballet barre or zumba so I pay for the gym because it solves my motivation problem.

bertrandhustle

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2015, 12:14:30 PM »
I'm hoping there's some sort of great home circuit (30-45 minutes) that I could do each morning to improve my overall health without the necessity of paying a gym membership fee.

Head over to www.reddit.com/bodyweightfitness and check out the sidebar for the beginner's routine.

I've been doing the beginner's workout routine exclusively for the past 6 months and am now in the best shape of my life. I'm 5'10" and went from not being able to touch a basketball rim to being able to hang from one.

It requires no equipment (except something to do pullups with), takes roughly 40 mins, is skills based so you are always working toward a new achievement, and can be done pretty much anywhere for free. It is the definition of Mustachian exercise. Plus you get to avoid all the smells and egos at gyms.

Learning how to do pullups was frustrating at first, but following the progressions really does work if you're consistent. Good luck!
« Last Edit: July 08, 2015, 12:19:32 PM by bertrandhustle »

mm1970

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2015, 12:59:49 PM »
I usually stayed in decent shape through undergrad and law school due to walking to class and using the gym 2-3 times per week. Since I graduated law school last May, however, my life has become much more busy while simultaneously becoming much more sedentary. I sit at my desk from 8:30 to 5:00 while I'm at the office and then even more when I work at home.

I kind of hit my physical rock bottom earlier this year. I'm 5'8 and ballooned to up to 199.8 pounds and, more importantly, found that I was extremely sore after playing a game of...softball. This motivated me to get a decent hold of things--I improved my diet, went on walks during my lunch break and at night with my girlfriend, and added more physical activity (e.g., cut my dad's grass with a push mower).

I got my weight down to about 189 pounds, but things have plateaued. I really haven't made much progress in the last month and it's been frustrating. I'm still sore for a couple days after playing softball and that's actually de-motivating me from doing more physical/grinding exercise in the morning.

So I'm contemplating joining Planet Fitness, which is $10.73 per month and has a $31.00 annual fee. That's pretty cheap ($159.76 annually) and shouldn't impact me too much financially. I really miss lifting with weights and using cardio machines...that's when I was in the best shape of my life.

I hesitate, though, because I think my problem is more on the mental/motivational side than what I'm actually doing. There's a local bike trail right across the street from the gym that is obviously free...I should go running there but I never do. My girlfriend has Insanity tapes and I think about using them...but never do. I have ample space to do exercises at home (push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, etc.)...and never do. And I've had gym memberships before--much more expensive ones--and eventually stopped going for weeks at a time.

So I guess my question is this: should I make the plunge and join a gym? Or, for those with desk jobs, what do you do to stay healthy if you don't belong to a gym?

I wake up at about 6:30 and don't go into the office until 8:30 or 9:00, so time isn't the issue. It's motivation. I'm hoping there's some sort of great home circuit (30-45 minutes) that I could do each morning to improve my overall health without the necessity of paying a gym membership fee.

Thanks.
Well, nobody can motivate you but yourself.

I am a joiner - I like working out in a group.  So for me, the ideals would be:
1.  Big group training like triathlon group
2.  Group fitness class
3.  Walk or hike with friends
4.  Meet regulars I know at the gym
5.  Bike to work
6.  Workout at home with a DVD
7.  Walk when I have time
8.  Workout at home winging it

Anyway, the gym works for me, and I use it.  I can't help you there if you tend to not go.  Right now with my crazy schedule, most of my workouts happen at the gym.  Swims in the early morning, or group fitness in the early morning - and these are some of the only times that I get to work out because of my kids.

I admire people who can work out at home as their primary exercise.  I have DVDs, and I love them, but my kids and their sleep schedules have made it very hard - I can only do it if I'm up at 5:15 am or earlier.  I already get up that early on my gym days, I kind of prefer to sleep in on the other days.

So, I'd say if you can get yourself to actually USE it, it's worth it.  Like if you can get a friend to meet you there.  I make it to my morning swims 2x a week and  I meet a friend on Sundays at the gym.  If it weren't for my friend, I'd be a totally lazy butt.

jonchappelle

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2015, 01:22:42 PM »
What is your goal? lose 30 lbs? get skinny? get ripped? get strong?
What is you plan to reach that goal?
If you are going to aimlessly dabble in weights and random cardio machines, then it's not worth it.

Set a goal, create a plan, execute, check if you met goal, adjust and repeat as needed. (PDCA) This applies to most things in life...

Track your Macros: create a free myfitnesspal acount, track carbs, fat, protein. Diet & Exercise go together.
 - Figure out your maintenance calories.
 - Track your daily consumption.
 - Follow a workout plan that balances with your diet.



jonchappelle

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2015, 01:56:48 PM »
I also work in an office every day, and generally sit at home in my apartment.

My goal is to hit 180 lbs with ~ 8% body fat.
My workout plan is to strength train using Stronglift's 5x5 workout plan.
My diet plan is to eat +300 calories over maintenance until January. Then the plan is to eat -100 calories/day under maintenance until ~ 180 lbs.

I workout at home, 4:40 am in the morning, 3 days a week, 45 min workouts. I have a squat rack, barbell, and weights.
I bike occasionally on weekends, if it's nice and warm, about an hour/day. My secondary goal is to have moderate cardio fitness.

Mrs.LC

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2015, 02:07:12 PM »
Check with your health insurance to see if they have a wellness reimbursement that would pay the gym fees. Many insurance companies have this and more are getting on board with it. Our insurance company reimburses us $30 each per month if we go to the gym a minimum of 10 x a month. We belong to a YMCA that is $68 per month for 2 so if we attend regularly our cost is $8 per month. That is a great deal. We also take advantage of using the showers and their electricity for hair dryers.

chasesfish

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2015, 07:03:20 PM »
Why don't you start by going running outside?  Its summer and free.

I've held a gym membership for 15 years, use it when I can't run.  I'm also in the $15/mo range.

Can't help you with the motivation, all I can tell you if you follow three or four basic ideas in life, you'll be better than 90% of the people out there:

Spend less than you make
Eat well
Exercise regularly
Stay close to friends/family

Its really not much more difficult than that

etselec

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #15 on: July 08, 2015, 10:54:04 PM »
I love gyms but planet fitness isn't worth it.

Not only are those gyms a joke, but they wave pizza and donuts in your face. Yes, they really do have pizza and donuts. And this isn't some modern gluten free cracker pizza with feta cheese

Umm, wow. What exactly is "a joke" about PF? They have cardio and weight machines that you can do exercises on, and the best gym atmosphere I've ever encountered, both in terms of body-positivity/non-judgmental feel, and in terms of my experience as a woman there. I never actually had a membership, just went as a guest a handful of times. But it's the only gym that didn't make me run screaming in the other direction because of harassment and a seriously unwelcoming culture. Hardcore macho gym dudes can sneer at it all they like, but as many folks on this thread have noted, you get better exercise at a gym if you actually go to it.

And I think the pizza and donuts at the gym concept is brilliant. It goes against this idea in our culture that there are "bad, unhealthy" foods that only "bad, unhealthy" people eat - and when you break down that guilt and that black-and-white thinking you get moderation, which is a much more sustainable way to approach exercise and wellness for most people. In other words, there's a sense of relatability — you get couch potatoes to go from "well I like eating pizza, so I must not be the kind of person who goes to the gym" to "hey, I guess that might be something I could do." This is not just my opinion — there's research in the public health field that backs up the principles behind this.

jrhampt

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #16 on: July 09, 2015, 12:01:56 PM »
I dumped the gym membership for a couple of years when I was in grad school and we were paying off the house.  My primary exercises were running, biking, and hiking outdoors when the weather was decent and a stationary bike in the basement when the roads were buried in snow and ice.  I did this consistently 5 days a week, but it was basically just lots of cardio.  After the house was paid off, I re-evaluated things and decided I really did miss the group fitness classes at the gym and the motivation to do more of a variety of exercises.  I get a corporate discount at the Y, and they are a really great organization for the community.  They have tons of fitness classes (which I attend 4-5 times a week) and a pool.  I was originally planning to pause my membership for the summer and spend three months outdoors, but I find I really like the variety my workouts at the gym have (HIIT, spinning, weights, bootcamp, yoga, pilates), and as a result am in better shape now.  I still exercise outdoors a couple of days a week since the weather is nice, but I really love my fitness classes.

Hall11235

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #17 on: July 09, 2015, 12:42:43 PM »
Maybe not super practical, but check your local high school. Some have a pretty awesome fitness set up and some will even let you use it during the summer and during the school years after school lets out. My local high school has an Olympic lifting club with a coach and everything for about 20$ a month. That kicks Anytime Fitness' ass. I get the community and I get to lift with high energy high school kids who motivate me all the time.

RFAAOATB

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #18 on: July 09, 2015, 01:55:42 PM »
Umm, wow. What exactly is "a joke" about PF? They have cardio and weight machines that you can do exercises on, and the best gym atmosphere I've ever encountered, both in terms of body-positivity/non-judgmental feel, and in terms of my experience as a woman there. I never actually had a membership, just went as a guest a handful of times. But it's the only gym that didn't make me run screaming in the other direction because of harassment and a seriously unwelcoming culture. Hardcore macho gym dudes can sneer at it all they like, but as many folks on this thread have noted, you get better exercise at a gym if you actually go to it.

Planet Fitness claims to be non judgmental but judges you for wanting to deadlift, for wanting dumbbells that go higher than 80lbs, for wanting to get a high personal record, and is actively unwelcoming to those for who fitness is a lifestyle instead of a fad or obligation.  Claims of harassment at other gyms are either greatly exaggerated or incredibly disappointing as most people are for more interested in themselves than what you are doing.  Gold's Gym is a good gym chain if you get a good deal.  I recently was a member at a very expensive gym which was good.  I bought a temporary membership at Planet Fitness this year while I was on vacation because my wife and I needed a convenient place for PT and Gold's temporary membership was way overpriced.  I was more uncomfortable at Planet Fitness than at any other fitness facility I have been to in my life.  I think eventually you will find that other gyms have a membership that will be either neutral or supportive to you and any harassment should be alerted to the staff to be handled responsibly.

Right now I drive to the armory 10 miles away to work out for free with my wife almost every morning before work instead of paying over $100 for a gym closer to home and work.  If you can run outside or an at home treadmill and lift at home, you probably don't need a gym unless you need that mental aspect of leaving the house.

newton

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #19 on: July 09, 2015, 04:16:30 PM »
May have already been said but go with what you feel.  I tend to go in streaks.  I really got into cycling for a couple of years and cycled all the time.  Then I joined a gym and got into weight lifting for about a year.  Then decided to get into running, dropped the gym and ran.  For the past year I have been back at the gym but am now doing cross fit classes.  Love it.  My plan right now is to keep the membership.  I like the company and like the classes.  The cost of the gym is minimal and if it helps keep you in shape and happy is well worth it.

Megma

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)
« Reply #20 on: July 09, 2015, 06:41:13 PM »
I agree, if you like the PT atmosphere, join there. If you like another gym, join there. To each their own, we will not all agree.

 Another thing that works for me is going right after work. I cannot go home first or I will not go. I change at work and head right there!

MBot

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #21 on: July 09, 2015, 08:19:33 PM »
If it works - and it's a big "if" - a gym can be worth it. I like the gym. I go to one right across from my one workplace. Zero added commute time.

The reasons a gym works for me are:
- I have a small house and Dumbbells took up a ton of space.
- it gets -30 to -50 in the winter here for running
- when I get really sweaty lifting, I don't like that smell in my living room.
- running on a treadmill is much better for my pace
- now that I'm pregnant, running indoors with people around if I get faint is helpful. Hasn't happened yet but I feel better about it.

But - when I lived in a different city with a gym far from my job, it would have been an awful idea. So ther, I ran outside and lifted at home.

From a simple cost analysis, you may find cheap weights. But by comparison it costs more to get Dumbbells and home equipment than to sign up for 3 months At the gym and develop a habit.

It's $10 a month. Why not commit to three months and see if you still love it. ?

Kiwi Mustache

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #22 on: July 09, 2015, 08:39:49 PM »
Yes, join a gym, your one is ridiculously cheap.

Come to NZ and pay $20 per week for a basic gym and then ask the same question.

Ynari

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #23 on: July 09, 2015, 08:40:54 PM »
I don't know where you are, but I've recently moved to the DC area and started going to a place called Urban Evolution.  They're currently just Alexandria, Manassas, and Baltimore, but readily expanding outwards and westwards.

Their business model (and I'm sure you can find similar gyms popping up wherever you may be) is to be a gym you want to go to, where you'll have tons of fun. Admittedly, their cost is a bit more than a basic gym but they have a lot more to offer than a basic gym, too. Their unlimited monthly pass is only $100 if you bring a buddy for the pair discount - they offer daily classes in parkour, gymnastics, aerial silks, and what they call "Urban Fit", a sort of bodyweight/light weightlifting inspired functional fitness program.  I go 3-5 times per week (2 hour long classes each time) so my per-class cost is like $3-4.

I guess it might not sound too mustachian to some of you, but it's a STEAL compared to $30/class like most aerial fitness and specialty gyms. If you can find a place you love to go to with an unlimited membership, I think it'll probably be worth the cost, you know?

Paul der Krake

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #24 on: July 09, 2015, 08:48:08 PM »
I love gym goers. They essentially subsidize my swimming habit as the vast majority of members at my YMCA never use the pool, preferring to walk at a somewhat brisk pace on treadmills while watching cable TV news, after vying for the closest parking spot to the door.

etselec

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #25 on: July 09, 2015, 10:17:28 PM »
Umm, wow. What exactly is "a joke" about PF? They have cardio and weight machines that you can do exercises on, and the best gym atmosphere I've ever encountered, both in terms of body-positivity/non-judgmental feel, and in terms of my experience as a woman there. I never actually had a membership, just went as a guest a handful of times. But it's the only gym that didn't make me run screaming in the other direction because of harassment and a seriously unwelcoming culture. Hardcore macho gym dudes can sneer at it all they like, but as many folks on this thread have noted, you get better exercise at a gym if you actually go to it.

Planet Fitness claims to be non judgmental but judges you for wanting to deadlift, for wanting dumbbells that go higher than 80lbs, for wanting to get a high personal record, and is actively unwelcoming to those for who fitness is a lifestyle instead of a fad or obligation.  Claims of harassment at other gyms are either greatly exaggerated or incredibly disappointing as most people are for more interested in themselves than what you are doing.  Gold's Gym is a good gym chain if you get a good deal.  I recently was a member at a very expensive gym which was good.  I bought a temporary membership at Planet Fitness this year while I was on vacation because my wife and I needed a convenient place for PT and Gold's temporary membership was way overpriced.  I was more uncomfortable at Planet Fitness than at any other fitness facility I have been to in my life.  I think eventually you will find that other gyms have a membership that will be either neutral or supportive to you and any harassment should be alerted to the staff to be handled responsibly.

Sounds like the culture at PF is not a good fit for you. That's okay — to each their own. But the fact that it's not your preferred style doesn't make it a joke.

And...nope. I'm really glad you've had good experiences at other gyms, but you do not get to tell me that my personal experiences of harassment are "greatly exaggerated." I am guessing you are a man, and if so: you are a man telling a woman that harassment doesn't actually happen and isn't a big deal (and that going to management is always a solution — hint, sometimes gym management does exactly what you just did, and doesn't believe the harassment happened or tries to convince me it isn't a big deal). Just...think about that, ok?

Mrs. D.

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #26 on: July 09, 2015, 11:14:13 PM »
Before you buy a gym membership, check out fitnessblender.com. I started using their workouts about a year ago and have maintained my weight and managed to avoid putting on too many pounds despite being pregnant. It's totally free although they do have a few programs you can buy (super cheap, like $6!) and their videos have ads. They do the workouts with you and are super motivating. I got a fitness mat for a birthday gift and used an Amazon gift card to buy a set of weights and I don't think I'll ever join a gym again.

akstarr

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Re: Should I Join a Gym (Thinking Planet Fitness)?
« Reply #27 on: July 10, 2015, 12:34:04 AM »
 I honestly thought I would never be someone who would join a gym, but it has been great for me.  The cost for the monthly gym membership for my family at the gym is lower than monthly pool passes, it's close to the house, and we swim 5 or more days a week.
When we first started it was a bunch of goofing off, do a few laps slowly then "rest". Over a couple of months we are up to swimming for about an hour and then goofing off about another half hour.
We go in the afternoon and are literally the only people in the pool, it feels like a real  luxury for us. Love the unlimited hot water in the showers too.
Monthly cost for us ? $85 City pool cost $190 YMCA cost $73 Both the YMCA and city pools are a 10-15 minute car ride away. The gym made the best option for us.

Swimming outside isn't an option here. Maybe about 2 months in the summer but I don't like my lips turning blue in 10 minutes. We don't join the gym for the summers because we are way to busy outside, no reason for it.

The kids like it well enough, it's a real incentive to finish their school day by 1:30-2:00 so they can go have swimming and have no homework afterwards. Having kids that hate sports that actually want to do anything athletic? Priceless.

I just don't have the drive to exercise at home. I tried and it never lasts longer than a week or two. For me? Knowing I paid for that gym membership, I will use it to the max. I think swimming 1 1/2 hours a day 5 days a week is great. Even better ? some teenager "accidentally" used all the hot water at home? No prob, go to the gym and take a fancy half hour shower.

Even better? My daughter and I found out about the color run this year, and she said she would do it with me next year. And that is something I never would have thought about doing.  So it's been a great experience for me and my family. 
Whatever you decide to do, (insert cheesy nike commercial here) just do it !!! And have fun with it.!