If so, what do you use it for? For example, cardiovascular (treadmills, cross-trainers etc), resistance machines, free weights etc.
I popped in to my local one this week and am tempted to try it out (if I calculate that membership will make it worthwhile). Of course membership includes the pool but I hate swimming!🤣
I loved the gym in my ‘youth’ but don’t want to lose precious outdoor running time. However, am thinking it could be fab for strength training.
Posted on Fun Beyond 10k too.
Thanks🙂
I have an annual gym membership, I have used the treadmill, rowing machine, cross trainer and static bike, I swim sometimes too, but mostly drop my granddaughter off and go for a run then join her after in the steam room, some people get a lot out of the gym so don't let me put you off, I just don't
I guess only time will tell if it works for me - I really don’t want to sacrifice any of my outdoor runs so I guess it will come down to how much time I can find and how motivated/disciplined I am! Thanks for the reply.🙂
I think you will enjoy the gym, 😁
I’m not a big fan of the gym. I love fresh air and running along trails with my cocker spaniel Ruby. Hard to replicate that indoors. I’d rather invest in a good pair of running shoes each year. Gyms are great, my wife uses a gym regularly. It’s just not for me.
My physio made me go! I don’t have the sorts of weights I need at home. If I want to keep running outdoors, I need to spend a bit of time indoors!! It’s cheaper than physio treatment.
I do a mix of Pilates, yoga, dance and weights classes and I swim. I also use the gym free weights for moves that are mainly progressions on my physio programme from last year. I enjoy it because it makes me feel like a hero and it has made me a fair bit faster than I was before. I occasionally enjoy a treadmill run. It’s nice to have the option!
I joined the gym when I retired many years ago. It really helped me to build up strength and flexibility after a working life which mainly involved sitting around talking! BUT, in the end, I just found it boring. I went to an adult swimming group instead, where I added crawl and butterfly to my already respectable breast stroke and back stroke; I still go to that. Then running came along 6 years ago.
I do strength and flex stuff provided by my physio 3 or so times per week; this is targeted at particular weaknesses and I do have three pairs of dumbbells which I use them for arm and upper body strengthening.
The gym was a good start, but I just couldn’t keep it up. Easily bored 🙂
I used a small community gym in the village where I lived in Scotland. I mainly used the treadmill so I could continue my Couch25k runs when it was freezing cold, snowy/icy or pouring with rain. I prefer outdoor runs though. I have considered joining the local gym, literally 5 mins walk away, but not sure how much I would use it. Could do with a personal trainer to plan suitable strength exercises because I know nothing about the machines in the gym!
I joined a small community gym which is fairly cheap (£22/month). Mainly for resistance equipment, although I don’t go as often as I should! Tried a dreadmill - not for me, prefer outdoor whatever the weather running.
It was chosen as if I don’t go, it’s not a great loss whereas the other gym wher I live is over twice the price as I would notice that…
I'm a (very very bad) squash player, which I took up 2 ½ years ago after completing C25K when I was 69 after losing about 50kg. I'd started working with a personal trainer at the sports club, which has a small "boutique" gym (frankly it's a wide corridor with some machines and weights) a year later, dimly recognising that fitness was going to be essential if I was to continue with the squash. I've been going for weekly sessions with Mauro ever since.
I am quite certain that I wouldn't still be playing now had I not been doing that - when I had a bad fall on court in the following May I think that would have been the end of it. The physio spelled it out: I was very lucky not to do permanent damage to my spine in that accident, and having worked on my core strength over seven months in the gym had really protected me.
I do mostly weights with some cardio and core work. Last week I realised that the 54kg weight I deadlifted was about equivalent to the weight I'd lost which was a bit of a lightbulb moment! I couldn't believe that just four years ago I'd been carrying that weight myself.
Tomorrow is my 81st session with Mauro...
Not mee.. I did explore the option once but worked out that the cost did not reflect the time I could use it.
Add to that the fact that I enjoy my own company
So many You Tube sessions you can fit in any time. I have my own small set of weights and a set of resistance bands, a balance ball ( great fun) .. and a cross trainer ( I sold the treadmill),
All stow away, and can be used as and when,,, apart from the cross trainer!
I have a gym membership and use treadmill, cross trainer, resistance machines, circuit training. I've been doing two 1-hour sessions each week with a personal trainer for the last 7 months and have definitely seen an improvement in my strength, including core strength. This has really helped to protect my lower back, which gives me problems sometimes (but not lately, touch wood!).
I started the gym work because as an older woman I realised I need to focus on maintaining muscle mass and working on upper body strength.
I thought it was only running that I liked but I have found the PT sessions quite addictive!
hello
I joined a gym in March , I used to train , not sure how old you are but I’m 53 and the best thing you can do for your mobility/bones and health is lift weights , start slowly obviously, if they have strength and tone classes or similar maybe join those , I love it as it helps my mind too , on a side note woken up this morning and it’s raining again and like a bloody hurricane out there I wouldn’t run in it! 🙈🤣 but you are obviously more dedicated than me 👍
I have never been in the gym! But am considering it to increase my strength. I also love a swim and haven’t done it since before covid shut them all down.🤔
Hi Sandraj39. I use the gym 4 days a week mostly for classes. I do cardio, weights, resistance and Pilates and find it supports my running. Also I’ve made some good friends as it’s a very small and friendly place.
I did have a gym membership, unfortunately taken out on 1/3/20! I used it sparingly when open to complement my training for a marathon. I’m really bad at doing weights/strength training at home so the gym was a must. I also used the pool, I used to be a swimmer in my youth, so that was used as a cross training exercise too. I’m seriously thinking about joining again for the same type of things but may look at classes too this time round.
I guess it’s personal choice. I hate gyms, other sweaty people, public showers and changing rooms, the bother of getting there and parking so they are not for me😂. However I do 2-3 40 min workouts at home using dumbbells, weights, resistance bands and weighted hoola hoop each week. There are loads of free guides online and I just stick in my ear buds and I’m good to go. I am lucky I have a garden space although in the winter I just use the end of the kitchen and ditch the hoola hoop. It is someone’s hard to be motivated and I’m sure if I had spent money on a membership it would keep me on the straight and narrow! Also very lucky to have park yoga and QiGong classes nearby too. Maybe try a month membership and see how you like it before committing to anything
I used to go before covid, but I bulked up too much. I then lost weight and found running and have been more than happy with that.However, I've since gone back to a new gym opened recently offering a special 3 month discount.
I use it mainly for strength training and finish off with a 3 -5k run (according to my training plan).
I think it helps with my running as I've had 2 pbs since.
I have 1 more month left at the discounted price but I'm not sure if I'll continue yet.
Hi Sandra, I used the gym to spin 3 times a week, I also do reformer Pilates 4 times a week. I tend to only run once or twice a week but find I can still go out and do 8k and fingers crossed I'm not getting injured like I was when I was just running 4 times a week
When I go it's almost always for the treadmill - the gym has wonderful views of Liverpool's waterfront, so along with a decent podcast or appropriate music, that makes it much easier to pass the time. A few times a year I use the rowing machine and/or the cross-trainer.
Give it a try 2 can't hurt,can it xx
I have been going to a gym for small group strength training, yoga and pilates classes since November. The last 2 years I tried to do half marathons and got injured both times and didn’t start.
My half marathon is now 3 1/2 weeks away and no niggles. The classes have helped prevent injuries so far. I have joined gyms in the past but lost motivation working out alone. The small groups keep me accountable. My membership is up the 3rd week of May. I will let it go for the summer and possibly rejoin in September. Although I’m not in love with strength training I can see it’s usefulness as an older, female runner.
U don't need a membership to enjoy a nice walk or run just as good and cheaper 😉 xx
Which app do you use?
Gym sessions 
Winter running
Gym today
Running apps! What do you use - looking to move 😬
