People being gym negative?

[OneVlogAwayonYT]

has anyone else noticed that people are kind of gym negative? I was venting on a Facebook group for weight loss that I was really upset that I couldn't get a gym membership due to some of issues stemming from a divorce and my ex not cancelling the membership & rather than getting some suggestions of cheaper gyms or ways to go to another gym or just support, I got a lot of "Walking is free" and "Go outside" comments. Am I the only one that gets really motivated about going to the gym and working out and being around like minded people? I am an introvert with very few friends.. I just got kind of discouraged when everyone was telling me how I should and shouldn't work out. I mean obviously I'm going to do walks and hikes in addition to working out I just like the act of going to work out at a gym, it gets me excited.

[Mukluk4]

"F" em.  

I used to not be a gym guy, but I outgrew my at home gym equipment and instead of investing a sizable chunk of money and area, I decided to go the gym route and have never looked back.

In the end it only matters what YOU are motivated by, not some Chatty Cathy's on facebook.

[OneVlogAwayonYT]

Thank you so much for the nice comment, I agree "F" them.

[GinaLin]

I prefer the gym too. I've got some back issues and using the ellipitial at the gym is much easier on my back than walking is if I am having a pain flare up. I know walking is free and I do that some--when the weather is okay and my back isn't too bad. The gym is there every day, no matter the weather. I am one of those people that needs a routine to stick with it and if my routine gets broken up due to a bad weather streak, then it can be hard to get going again.

Good for you! You have learned what works for you. Ignore the negative people. I am happy at Planet Fitness and their prices work into my budget.

[betpchem]

I agree with @Mukluk4. It doesn't matter what anyone else says. You do what works for you.

The gym certainly has its place. I went through a period where I loved the gym, but now I've kind of burned out of it, I guess. I have some equipment at home and I'm going to try staying home for a while. But I do understand the gym motivation. If you are paying for it and have to go there, that's good motivation. And varying your activity is great, and there's lots of ways to do that at the gym.

[OneVlogAwayonYT]

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@GinaLin wrote:

Good for you! You have learned what works for you. Ignore the negative people. I am happy at Planet Fitness and their prices work into my budget.

Funnily enough, Planet Fitness is the place that kind of messed me up! They were telling me that I owed over $200 on an account that I didn't even open, but my ex opened and got us both a membership.. It was never my responsibility to pay it but that's okay. I got a better one. I agree though, I loved them good gym, no pressure, very easy.

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[SunsetRunner]

I love going to the gym. Who cares what others think. Do what you like.

[Baltoscott]

I think sometimes people are reacting to a poster's complaints about cost (or maybe they have their own complaints about cost).  And while it is true that you don't need to go to a gym or classes to get fit, it is a great place to get advice, they have lots of different equipment, and if you get sick of one, you are not stuck with it forever like you are with that home equipment you may not use anymore. 

Like @Mukluk4, I've outgrown the fitness gear (and the space) I have at home.  I've got a bench and nesting dumbbells at home, but I also want access to heavy weights, barbells, and a squat rack.  That takes up a lot of room!  At the gym, that's all on them.  Plus, although it is not really my thing, my wife loves a water aerobics class our gym has and it is nice to be able to do something with her fitness-wise, so I do that too.  Gyms are great!

[WavyDavey · Accepted solution]

Gym culture is not for everyone. I recently joined a private gym where almost everyone is doing prep for competition, and I've felt intimidated at times.

Also, it's important with comments to know context. "Go outside" to me is a way of saying "stop over thinking". 

[OneVlogAwayonYT]

I personally felt like the "go outside" which was followed with a list of reasons I don't need a gym was more condescending but you're right, I can't tell how they meant it through the internet 🙂

[SunsetRunner]

@OneVlogAwayonYT do you really care what people say that much? I have heard once or twice that it's pointless to pay for the membership in the gym. After all, there is so much to do and exercise outdoor or even at home. But usually I hear that from people who have never ever been to the gym before. I was reluctant myself but the winter came and I significantly reduced running which was my major activity. So instead I finally took that step and signed up to the gym and I don't regret. First, nobody cares what you look like or what you are doing when you are exercising. People in the gym are mostly focused on themselves. I mention that because many people feel fear of being criticised or even just observed by other, more experienced gym goers. Nothing to worry about! Just do your stuff! In fact I find gym being motivating. Knowing that you are with all the people sharing pretty much same goal you put better effort. Moreover, lots of gyms offer classes. In my gym it's included in the membership. Group workout may be also very motivating. I really see no reason not to use gym. I'm going to go back to my regular running regime but I'm gonna keep going to the gym too. 

[Kallee]

I just joined a gym and a little over 20 dollars a month is no problem for me. I'm 62 fell and broke my wrist bad last  NOV and found out that I'm losing bone mass down 9% from 2010. So I need to get stronger and sitting on the sofa and even walking won't do what I need. So in the AM off to the gym I go. I love this little fitbit. It's cool watching it log my movements. It makes me happy. As for what people think, that's them not me. I'm also an introvert.

[MagsOnTheBeach]

I've been thinking about this during the week...I have known a lot of negative people, they will say, I can't X because of Y.  Some people aren't sympathetic and offer with a You should J instead, you can do J instead of X.  I am wondering if they are trying to motivate by having you work around X and it is coming out wrong.

[DJC_63]

I love going to the gym. I've been a member of LA Fitness for 19 years and I've went regularly for those 19 years. Due to where I live now it's a 30 minute drive to get to one, but it's worth it to me. It's too cold for me to walk outside now and I have zero room at home, so those aren't options right now. I go to the gym at the same time and see the same people there whenever I go. It feels like a home away from home, plus it's great stress release. If I don't get to go for 3 or 4 days I start to get irritable. I totally understand why you value time at the gym.

People commenting on a stranger's posts often go for the easiest solution without having all of the facts. 

[SunsetRunner]

@MagsOnTheBeach as a programmer I see the behaviour you described quite often among other engineers on the Internet ( hello StackOverflow 😄 ). There are two ways of replying to somebody's problem:

a) me too

b) why you want to do A if you could be doing B

Neither of them brings anything valuable to the table and best we can do is to learn to tolerate such voices and don't take it too seriously. Finding constructive responses on the Internet is sometimes very difficult especially nowadays when everybody is an expert in everything 😉

As for the gym, I may add that the hardest thing to do is to get yourself actually going to the gym. Asking if it's worth or not is of secondary importance. Just get there and see for yourself. There are more "planners" ( "I'm planning to go to the gym... sometime... this week... or year..." ) than actual goers. Don't be planner, be goer 🙂

[SunsetRunner]

On a nice fine sunny day I would prefer to take a walk outside and enjoy that amazing weather.  That said I use the gym as well esp on those horrible cold wet days when exercising or walking outside would just make me miserable.  The other upside to the gym is that they have equipment there for me to use that I could not afford to buy for myself, so I can work on different things when ever I want. 

The downside to Gyms is that they can be expensive and an ongoing cost, but if you look around you can find some fairly reasonable priced ones to join, even if they only have basic equipment it is still an advantage.

There will always be haters no matter what you decide, some will prefer gyms others will scorn you for using them, as a previous poster said "F" them they don't matter. All that counts is what makes you comfortable and allows you to achieve the results you want.

[DanielleinDC]

Not everyone is alike. I'm part of a fitness group on FB as well, and one member prefers to do her workouts at home. I like the classes I take. And we're both like, hey, whatever works for you. I like taking classes through ClassPass because if I'm doing a workout at home, and I get tired or frustrated, I can just stop and do something else. In a fitness class, I have invested the money, time, and effort so I have to finish. Not to mention in a good class, the instructor will be giving me guidance as to whether my form is right. Or, as in last week's Reformer class, which I take as often as ClassPass will allow, putting me between two newbies so they could watch my form, which is simultaneously a bit scary and a bit flattering. 

Furthermore, while walking is good exercise, you need to do a combo of strength training and cardio to be fit. Sure you could get a set of dumbbells and work out to videos at home, but if you prefer the gym, you should be able to find one you like.

[GershonSurge]

I've heard that 27.3% of people who regularly go to a gym are smarter than average.

[SunsetRunner]

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@GershonSurge wrote:

I've heard that 27.3% of people who regularly go to a gym are smarter than average.

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Smarter than what I wonder...A radish? I guess that would make sense 😉 😉