Is it possible to get in shape without going to the gym?

ejeye

Hey -
I'm new & just posted my intro below.  I was hoping to get some opinions on this...
First some background info: I was in my best shape & the healthiest when I was in college.  I was taking multiple dance classes, and loved going to the gym 5-6 days a week.  Since I graduated (almost 5 years ago -- eep!) my weight has fluctuated a lot.  I have belonged to a number of gyms, but have not been as motivated to go as I was when I was in college - I am much more motivated to work out at home.  I recently canceled my latest gym membership, which was an absolute waste because I hadn't been in like a year, BUT I am inspired to get in shape... at home. 
This long winded post really has a simple question:  Is it possible to get in shape & lose weight without a gym?  I only ask because the only times I have been successful were when I belonged to a gym.  Any success stories from at home exercisers?  Did you stick to DVDs or venture out to run outside, etc.?
Thanks!

iamjoesgurl

I primarily workout at home.  I have a gym membership (mostly paid by my employer) but rarely go.   I have a treadmill, free weights and do the 30 Day Shred right now.  It is possible to workout at home but you need to be committed.  Of course, to workout successfully at a gym, you also need to be motivated. 

I would recommend investing in some good weights and look in classifieds for used cardio equipment if you have room in your home.  If you are not interested in buying a cardio machine, you'll need to be willing to walk/run outside in any weather conditions. 

(I don't know what type of cardio you can do inside your home to get a really good workout without cardio equipment.  Maybe someone else knows of something.)  GL!

fairbanksgrrrl

We have a Wii and recently picked up EA Sports Active, a workout game.  It has pre-programed workouts and uses the wii remote to make sure you use correct form in the exercises. It tracks your progress and varies the exercises as you go so you don't get bored. I've been using it for the past week and half and its a good workout- at least for me and my flabby butt!

I had the same problem you do- access to a gym, but no motivation to go.  With the workout at home option, if I feel motivated, I just put on my gym clothes and work out- no drive time/time to wimp out and change my mind. Also, running outside here is out, since our winter is about 8 months long and 20 below is too freaking cold to tough it out.

Julz629

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_possible-shape-going-gym?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:f3002326-1c25-4100-96e1-a5fee5f3b2b2Post:fa484598-df99-4a63-ac3f-f250f1677208">Re: Is it possible to get in shape without going to the gym?</a>:
[QUOTE]For me, no.  I need to go somewhere away from the FI, 2 yr old daughter, dog, dirty dishes, DVRed TV shows, laundry etc etc... I need to break away to focus on working out.  I never stuck to any DVD program I bought :-(
Posted by golden1215[/QUOTE]

Ditto this.  I have an elliptical that I got from my parents when they sold their house to move to their vacation home.  Once or twice a week, I will use this at home when I don't have the motivation (or time) to go to the gym.  However, I find that I never get as good of a work out at home.  I am always stopping to throw another load in the wash, answer the door, let the dog out, etc etc etc.  Its nice to have as an option, and its better than no work out at all, but I'd be screwed if that was my only option.

I suppose it works for some, but I think you will need a lot of self-motivation.

mmaxwell818

I don't have a gym membership and if i did i wouldnt have the time to use it. During the day I'm at home with our 2 year old son, and then when FI gets home I leave for work. And I work weekends...so for me I would be able to maybe find time to go once or twice a week if i were lucky so it seems like a waste of money. So we have a treadmill which I use almost every day...if son takes a nap. We have kind of turned our downstairs bedroom into a home gym and i try to use it as often as i can get it in. I also use Jillian Michaels DVDs. I think it is totally possible to get fit and in shape without a gym. You just need the motivation to actually do it...and you need to buy some equipment or get outside and run. Just doing DVDs won't do it (I feel)

greenglasshero

For me, at home works. But it's just FI & I, so there's not too many distractions. We got a lot of equipment 2nd hand, and I prefer this very much to getting in the never ending lines for weight benches, treadmills & ellipticals. I also make time to do the 30DS dvd every morning, so if I find myself less than motivated in the afternoon after work, at least I did SOMETHING.

miguelhilary2010

It is possible to work out at home, but it may take a few purchases to get a good workout.  A few things I have and would suggest are a big crunch ball, and some weights (at least 3 different weight amounts) or kettlebells.  You can run outside, do jumping jacks and mountain climbers at home for cardio (without having to buy a treadmill, elliptical, etc).  You can also do squats, lounges, step-ups, bench press (using the ball), curls, shoulder press, shoulder raises, etc.  You'll just have to get/be comfortable using free weights instead of machines if that's what you're used to.

I dont have the motivation to work out at home, usually just because I have a million other things that distract me.  I like getting out of the house to go to the gym and take a break from the rest of my life

cac847

I do all my exercising at home. Check out http://www.exercisetv.tv/ They have workouts that you can stream on your computer for free and others that you can purchase and download, and a few that you can download for free.

dazzledsteph

I think it's totally possible to get in shape without a gym membership. I started my GIS journey 7 months ago and I have lost 52lbs so far, without going to the gym once!
I have some stuff at home (recumbent bike, Wii Fit and games for it, exercise dvds, free weights, yoga mat, swiss ball, resistance bands) that I use all the time and I also go swimming and, ride my bike in the park and walk a lot.
I've been successful so far and I intend to keep it that way.

goldilockslovespolkadots

Hi!  My name is Michelle I have been hanging around the inland empire board mostly and this is my first post to this board:)

Anyway-I HATED THE GYM...it is hard for me to get motivated to go, so then I end up not working out just because I hate working out there by myself, and don't have anyone else to go with.

I HAVE HOWEVER, HAD REALLY GREAT LUCK WORKING OUT AT HOME!  I love it!  I can do it on MY TIME-even if I only have half an hour (it would have taken me longer than that just to get everything ready and get to the gym). Plus I can really get into the DVD'S and it doesn't matter what I look like doing them, and I don't feel silly because there is no one around to see me anyway!

I have been doing TURBO JAM-and have had a lot of luck with it, I have lost 30 pounds since September.  But EVEN BETTER...I was searching around one day and by accident ran into a new set of DVD'S called ZUMBA...OMG!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE DVDS!  It is the best workout ever!  It is a latin-south american dance type workout-it is FUN, you learn how to MOVE, and you use YOUR ENTIRE BODY for the workout!  And best of all, I have been doing 1 hour workouts and they are over and doind the cool down before I even realize I have worked out for an hour!

Plus, after doing it for 1 week (4 days)-I lost 5 inches!

I think they have it on tv somewhere, but I don't know where, I have never seen it on tv-but if you are interested I purchased mine here:
https://www.zumbafitness.com/flare/next
and it arrived in about 5 days.

GOOD LUCK!
Michelle:)

JessyNChris

 It's simple to workout at home. I have two dvds: Knockout Body, and Pliates. They are both 10 minute dvds. I also have a resistance band that my mother bought. The resistance band doesn't come with a dvd, but I can do it while watching tv.