Anybody use the gym?🏋️‍♀️

[Sandraj39]

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 Bridge too.

Thanks🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Hi Sandra! We have a gym membership. Mr Cheeky uses it a lot, mostly the rowing machines, as rowing is his thing and mixing up rowing on the river and at the gym is very beneficial.

I use the treadmill a fair amount - and yes I enjoy it! It’s great for when it’s bucketing down or too windy, and also when I’m pushed for time. I occasionally use the cross trainers, but really don’t like strength training at all! Like you, I don’t like swimming much, so only really venture in the pool with my grandsons sometimes. I find it a faff!

One thing I do love is my weekly yoga class at the gym. I’m not sure if yours offers classes, but they’re free with our membership. Bonus. We don’t have a tennis membership though, even though I used to play a lot. I simply don’t have time.

In short (I can never be short!), we use our gym a lot and it kept me running this winter. 🙏

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks for that - yes they do offer some free classes at mine too. I think I’ll sign up and give it a go - I guess I can always cancel if I find I don’t use it regularly enough!🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Sounds like a good plan! 😀

[Fasterthanshizu Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Read the contract very carefully - some gyms are notorious for making it next to impossible to cancel.

I don't use the gym at all. It seems very alien to me. I'd rather be outside running, jumping puddles and watching the coots.

I've recently, for the first time, done some strength training as part of a marathon training plan, and maybe I'm just beginning to start to see the point of gyms. It's a bit more complicated to do resistance training at home.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Fasterthanshizu]

Thanks - contract has been carefully checked! I also don’t want to lose the time I love out on the trails…puddle splashing is fab!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I've never been in a gym! Well, apart from a small one on holiday once. Not my thing at all - too conspicuous for me, no fresh air, no peace and solitude. Oh, and I hate strength work 🙈 I'm a bit odd!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

🤣I don’t think you’re alone on not liking strength work, Linda! I will definitely be seeking out the quieter times too - it was fine when I went to look around Friday morning, so we’ll see…🙂

[Cmoi Marathon]

I suspect gyms are marmite  Sandraj39 , and I'm in the "You must be joking!" camp.

I'm incredibly fortunate to live somewhere where I can go out of my house and be on forest paths within metres, complete with hills, uneven terrain and all sort of natural materials for jumping over, ducking over, or - my favourite - balancing on.

Why would I pay a fortune to drive half an hour each way to be in a confined space with recycled air, artificial light, horrible noise and far too many people?

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

I am lucky to be able to walk on to wonderful trails too Cmoi but my gym is walking distance too!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

That's definitely an advantage Sandraj39 . Also, you mentioned that you used to love the gym, so I can see why you'd be keen.

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

Hi Sandra, I go swimming, which after a few lessons to improve my technique, I have grown to love. It's great, non-weight bearing exercise, a lovely stretch on a non-running day and I can "zone out" in my lane.

I don't like gyms, but I am going to start some strength training (as advised by my physio) as we lose so much muscle mass as we get older!

I hope you enjoy and feel the benefit of whatever you you decide to do.

[RunWillie Metric Marathon]

I don’t use a gym yet but as soon as marathon training is over. I’m going to lift twice a week. I don’t plan to stop running outside for the mental health benefits but I read Stacy Sims book “Next Level” who suggests women over a certain age should lift heavy 💪🏻

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Yep, I’m going to give it a go I think….

[Madge50 Marathon]

Hi Sandra, 🙋‍♀️, I do…..mainly for classes…..I do Legs,Bums and Tums (LBT) - glute, leg and core work - squats, Pilates, body conditioning (weights/strength…..more squats…😂) and step class.

I have found the core and glute work has certainly helped with my running, (I rarely get any calf issues now…..*touching wood 😉)

I have done weights and cross trainer in the gym……I’ve never used the dreadmill…….it’s more about whole body care, strength and fitness rather than ‘just’ running for me…..

I find doing the classes ‘makes’ me do the dreaded squats and core work, and it is enjoyable and social……sometimes hard to get booked on as they are very popular….

Mind you, I have to say my gym/sports centre is walking distance from me, so it’s very convenient………I’m not sure I would do as much if I had to drive……

Mx

Ps - I also used it to meet people having moved to a new area……can’t seem to stop now…😂….(it’s not a huge centre)

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Yep, walking distance for me to!

[CBDB]

I have used a gym on and off, but had a gym membership only for a year ca 15 years ago. It would be different now.

But in the past 5 years when I have used a gym, it was for

- trying out rowing before buying a rower

- trying out a curved treadmill (but I have not bought a treadmill … as of yet)

- swimming

For many, community activities in the gym make sense as well.

I could see myself starting to like something like a small, community gym membership if we had one near. But as I have my own indoor rower, I’m ok without it.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Morning Sandra. You're probably on the start line of your race today. Hope it’s not too wet 🤞

I’ve been a member of a gym all my adult life apart from the last four years since the Pandemic. My lovely gym closed at that time and didn’t reopen to the public (it is a school gym and therefore had fab facilities)

In the past I’ve used the gym for weights, the treadmill on snowy or icy days, the bike and the pool sometimes. I use to do Pilates there too.

However, we now have a stationary bike at home, I have weights and balls and resistance bands and I find that I can do my strength training at home and don’t miss the gym too much. However, I am missing the different weights as I am progressing now and feel I can lift more! So maybe time to buy more for home 💪

There is also the social side to a gym. If you find a friendly one then people chat and it’s all rather fun as opposed to just going there and working out and then leaving (I have done exactly that for many years but the more friendly ones are much more fun).

If you join a gym then you need to use it otherwise it’s pointless so I guess you can work out how many times a week you can realistically get there and decide if it’s worth the cost.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

The other thing to add is that you can “run” in a pool if you are injured. It’s a very good alternative to running!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Oh no…can’t see me running in a pool!🤣🤣 I hate swimming unfortunately…

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

I’m with you there, the whiff of chlorine gives me migraines, plus I swim like a brick……😂…mind you I can scuba dive…🤿….🤷‍♀️…work that one out…..😀

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

🤣🤣

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

I use the gym quite a lot and it’s something I’ve grown to love as being there gives me accountability and I enjoy the challenges. I’ll often spend up to 2 hours in there 😅

I’m lucky in that the gym has sponsored me for a free year’s membership and I am making the most of it.

Resistance training is all the rage at the moment anyway and the benefits for us as we age are well documented so even after I’ve stopped all this “running round in circles”, I’ll still have the gym there to stay strong and fit. 👍💪

PS The best thing I did was to invest in a 12 week program with a personal trainer so that I could use the equipment properly and learn proper form to avoid injury. Thoroughly recommend that approach otherwise you’ll just end up using the cardio equipment and avoiding the weights or worse, use the weights incorrectly and injure yourself. HTH

[misswobble Marathon]

I did. I was gifted a year’s membership at Nuffield with some PT sessions thrown in. I loved every minute of it. I couldn’t afford it after that 😐.

I’d go for it 😀💪👍