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Gym Membership
Im thinking of joining to gym. I definitely need to shed a few lbs, but im just wondering if its worth it financially? The gym has a $30 one off enrolment fee, and then $22 a month. Its a lot cheaper than other gyms in the area, and its open 24hours. Its also really simple i.e. no sauna, not even water machines etc, so they can afford the cheap price.
So is it worth it? Should i just stick to a weight bench in my room and running in the park? Thanks in advance :)
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Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Fitness?
These fees are extremely reasonable.
The thing with going to the gym is that the equipment typically centers around strength training. Strength training is where you're going to build the most muscle because you're working the arms, legs, abs, etc. muscles to help them to grow.
Running is not strength training. Running is a part of cardio work out. It helps you build up your heart more than the outer muscles. It helps your heart rate to increase in a healthy way.
The best way to lose weight or stay toned for the summer is to do both, alternatively.
You do strength training (like weight lifting, and real "physical" types of exercises, usually on machines), say, Monday, Wednesday, Friday...the days you do NOT strength train you will do cardio.
Your schedule would look like:
Mon - Gym / Strength Training
Tue - Running / Cardio
Wed - Gym / Strength Training
Thu - Running / Cardio
Fri - Gym / Strength Training
Sat - Running / Cardio
Sun - Running / Cardio
You don't want to do strength training 2 days in a row if you can avoid it. Your body takes nearly 24 hours to heal up the little tears that happen in your muscles when you work them well and properly. Doing too much strength training back-to-back can actually reduce the muscle mass and have negative impacts on you. In addition, always, always, ALWAYS stretch really, really well after your strength training. Stretching helps to keep the muscles long and lean and work out small air pockets that may be trapped in the tissue.
Other things for cardio include: bicycling, work out videos for aerobics, jumping jacks, skipping rope, jogging & walking, swimming, skiing, dancing.
I would only purchase the gym membership if you're serious about working out properly. If you're like most people then you might use the gym for a month or two and then rarely go back. You need to really set up a schedule and stick to it if you purchase the membership. It isn't expensive but you still don't want to throw your money down the drain.
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The gym being worth it is up to you. Ask yourself these questions:
Am I going to go to the gym weekly?
Will I stick with it?
Many people find themselves with gym memberships and only use them for the first month are so, after that they simply stop going - and waste their money.
If you feel like you won't be one of those people and really want to stick with it, then I say go for it! If not, running in the park will be a lot cheaper.
-Ms. Love
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