Monday, August 13, 2007

Home Gyms vs. Public Gyms

Alright, since I rarely do any exercise-based blogging (which is kind of strange since I spend a decent amount of time actually working out), I figured I would give you all one today :P

I belong to a gym...it's about 1/2 mile from work, which is super convenient, but that also means that it is about 20 miles from home, so not so much on weekends or days off of work. I LOVE it. It has kick-butt machines and just about every kind of weight training device I could think of. There is also a lot of cool classes (that I am still too chicken to try - but I am really into the whole option of them :P) and a killer pool with lessons even geared towards triathletes.

At home, I have next to nothing, but I could do a little work in a pinch. I have an exercise ball, yoga videos, a few free weights, a jump rope, but the best part of home is that I live across the street from the high school track, so there is always an option for a run since the kids can just hang out at the track while I am running.

Now, I will never have a home gym like Marcy ;) but I would really like to at least get an elliptical to give me another cardio option at home. Especially in the winter months when I won't be able to force the kids to sit in the snow just to watch me run :P

How about the rest of you? Do you prefer the Home or Public gym? And what kinds of fun stuff do you have at home? And finally, what else would you REALLY like to have (within reason)?

14 comments:

J~Mom said...

I have neither. :>)

I run, have my bike and I swim at the city pool.

I have some options at home including my bike trainer but they are so boring to me. As long as I can hit the outdoors I will continue to do so. I might not swim as much in the winter but even winter here is only 2-3 months.

If I could buy one thing I would buy a really nice elliptical. I used one when I was in physical therapy and felt like I got a really nice cardio workout on it.

Scott McMurtrey said...

I like public gyms better, because when I'm there I know I have to workout. When I'm home and always have the option of...reading blogs. :) My wifey has an elliptical that she absolutely loves and she couldn't care less if she never sees the inside of a gym the rest of her life. So I think it just depends on what motivates you and do either option help you stay motivated.

Nikki said...

Well I'm with Lisa, Neither.

I do have a treadmill but I get dizzy when I'm on it for a long period of time..not a good thing I think..plus its boring as hell!

I'm thinking an eliptical would be good for home...but then again I'm joining a gym at the univeristy so I can run in the winter...the track wont be ice free for months.

Marcy said...

LMAO, I only have the basics. I WISH I had one!!! I need to win the lotto LOL.

I prefer home only because it's there staring me in the face so I'll feel even more guilty if I try and skip out, KWIM? It's not like I have to drive anywhere. And plus I'm self conscious about people watching me exercise on machines. I feel like a tool.

Jess said...

I'm like J-Mom, and don't have either. Well, I have some stuff at home: yoga mat, balance ball, some free weights, some videos, but I don't have room for a treadmill or eliptical, so until I get a bigger house one day, I won't be able to have those things at home. And I don't belong to a gym either. I used to, but I decided I wasn't using it enough to justify its monthly cost. I have been considering re-joining a gym though -- maybe this fall. Right now, my workouts entirely consist of running, which I do outdoors, always.

Larissa said...

I don't belong to a gym anymore - I run in any weather, but my son is older and there's always someone at home in case he wakes up. I have a pull up bar at home (highly recommended), a yoga mat, some free weights. Check out crossfit.com for some really great ways to work out at home - for the days you can't get to the gym.

I wish I had a few sturdy wooden boxes for box jumps -those are awesome for runners! And maybe a dreadmill - for the truly impossible weather days.

Wes said...

I have a Total Gym at home :-) But I don't use it. I go to my gym strictly for the pool, although once tri season is over, I'm going to take up some strength training. I can also use the gym here at work too. You can never have too many options!

Unknown said...

I haven't had a gym membership since I started running. Instead, I run outdoors at a nearby park or at home on my dreadmill. Then, I do core exercises via workout dvds. I think I'd like a gym membership though, because once you're there you have to workout. Sometimes it's hard to get motivated late in the evening at home or early in the am...too many distractions!

Unknown said...

I pretty much do all of the above.

I swim, bike, run and lift at the gym.

I bike on a trainer and run on a treadmill at home. Also, I do some strength training and core work at home.

I bike and run outside.

Basically, I'm nuts...but I'm loving every minute of it.

Krista said...

I would love to have a treadmill. I doubt I'd use it much, but it would be a God-send in the winter when it's impossible to run outside.

Mendy said...

I have a treadmill that's in my guest room that has turned into a storage room. We also have a bench and full total weight set still in the box. We planned on putting it together once we got the basement storage room completed into a room, but decided we're moving (hopefully) soon, and we have a trainer for the bikes. We may actually turn our pool table room in a gym.

BUT - next house is going to have a home gym in a basement or sunroom. Can't wait!!!

Mendy said...

Oh - and we also have a YMCA membership - Need the pool.

Laurel said...

I like public gyms cause I never have to worry about cleaning up after it!

However, I always said if I was loaded, I would build my own in my house with all the fixings. It would be pretty awesome!

ws said...

If I could build myself the perfect home gym I would, but short of that all I have is a stability ball and a 10lb medicine ball. There is a fitness center in my condo with a few treadmills (which I don't use) and free weights, which I do use. I have a trainer for my bike too, but that is only reserved for the really awful weather days, which haven't happened recently. I hate speedwork, but sometimes I wish I had a track nearby to get to work on speed...