Cancelling gym membership - continue training at home
Discussion
kettlebells 12-28kg
olympic bar + at least 50kg's in plates
skipping rope
24" high box
plenty of bodyweight exercises that require no equipment.
dont use rubber bands for anything other than mobilisation or flexibility work
absolutely no need for push up bars, sit up cradles or anything else, with the possible exception of a squat rack and bench if you have room.
pay a good PT to show you the basic lifts and presses: back squat, front squat, power / squat clean, push press / push jerk, clean + jerk etc
Depends entirely on your goals as to what kind of programming you should be doing. Get advice from a PT with a minimum Reps (register of exercise professionals) Level 3 qualification.
olympic bar + at least 50kg's in plates
skipping rope
24" high box
plenty of bodyweight exercises that require no equipment.
dont use rubber bands for anything other than mobilisation or flexibility work
absolutely no need for push up bars, sit up cradles or anything else, with the possible exception of a squat rack and bench if you have room.
pay a good PT to show you the basic lifts and presses: back squat, front squat, power / squat clean, push press / push jerk, clean + jerk etc
Depends entirely on your goals as to what kind of programming you should be doing. Get advice from a PT with a minimum Reps (register of exercise professionals) Level 3 qualification.
I thought I'd update this after 4 months.
Cardio wise I've been doing great, averaging 48km/3 hours a week on the bike, but I've not been quite as good at Swiss ball training at home, more like once or twice a week. Swimming has been even worse, I had my first swim in months last night & struggled. Monday night has now been set aside for swimming though. Other than the swimming I do feel fitter than I did before and I've lost a bit of weight. I still need to try harder though, so will revisit the tips in this thread.
My fiancé has been struggling to get out running, mostly to motivation/busy social life but is looking at rejoining the gym. She has found out that they now also do a month by month membership, so I may join again for a few months over the winter when I can't get out on my bike after work.
Cardio wise I've been doing great, averaging 48km/3 hours a week on the bike, but I've not been quite as good at Swiss ball training at home, more like once or twice a week. Swimming has been even worse, I had my first swim in months last night & struggled. Monday night has now been set aside for swimming though. Other than the swimming I do feel fitter than I did before and I've lost a bit of weight. I still need to try harder though, so will revisit the tips in this thread.
My fiancé has been struggling to get out running, mostly to motivation/busy social life but is looking at rejoining the gym. She has found out that they now also do a month by month membership, so I may join again for a few months over the winter when I can't get out on my bike after work.
Edited by Craikeybaby on Tuesday 18th August 12:09
Craikeybaby said:
I thought I'd update this after 4 months.
Cardio wise I've been doing great, averaging 48km/3 hours a week on the bike, but I've not been quite as good at Swiss ball training at home, more like once or twice a week. Swimming has been even worse, I had my first swim in months last night & struggled. Monday night has now been set aside for swimming though.
My fiancé has been struggling to get out running, mostly to motivation/busy social life but is looking at rejoining the gym. She has found out that they now also do a month by month membership, so I may join again for a few months over the winter when I can't get out on my bike after work.
You could try a turbo trainer? (a device you attach your bike to so you can pedal away at home). My routine is like yours: cycling when its warm enough outside and resistance training at home, and in the colder months I just put the bike on a turbo trainer. Yes, TTs are boring, but at least at home you've got the TV, iPad etc and you save on the time driving to a gym.Cardio wise I've been doing great, averaging 48km/3 hours a week on the bike, but I've not been quite as good at Swiss ball training at home, more like once or twice a week. Swimming has been even worse, I had my first swim in months last night & struggled. Monday night has now been set aside for swimming though.
My fiancé has been struggling to get out running, mostly to motivation/busy social life but is looking at rejoining the gym. She has found out that they now also do a month by month membership, so I may join again for a few months over the winter when I can't get out on my bike after work.
Craikeybaby said:
I hadn't thought of a turbo trainer. We both walk past the gym on the way to/from work, so it is actually really easy to go.
Ah, that changes things somewhat. For me to go to a gym is a significant diversion, and would involve me driving to a town, which is obviously a bad idea before or after work due to traffic.Hi all,
Thought I'd resurrect this thread rather than start a new one.
Basically, I'm in a very similar situation to the OP. A busy job, and a young baby at home, means I have less and less time to hit the gym these days. I'm therefore considering training at home instead, where I can be a lot more flexible with when I train.
Space is also at a premium at home, as much as I would love to I don't have room for a home gym, I need something which I can put away after a workout.
My training has always focused on resistance work, I'm not big by any standards but have built a fairly solid foundation of strength over the years that I'm keen to maintain.
The main options seem to be kettle bells and resistance bands. I like the idea of kettle bells, but am wondering if I'd need to invest in quite a lot of different ones to achieve the right levels of resistance on various exercises.
Resistance bands seem more flexible in this respect (no pun intended), as from what I've read you can fine tune the weight quite easily. How do they feel though? when I tried them once many years ago I seem to remember that they went from no resistance, to lots of resistance in a matter of a few inches. Have they improved so their resistance is more linear?
Sorry for all the questions. Feel free to share any experiences you have.
Thought I'd resurrect this thread rather than start a new one.
Basically, I'm in a very similar situation to the OP. A busy job, and a young baby at home, means I have less and less time to hit the gym these days. I'm therefore considering training at home instead, where I can be a lot more flexible with when I train.
Space is also at a premium at home, as much as I would love to I don't have room for a home gym, I need something which I can put away after a workout.
My training has always focused on resistance work, I'm not big by any standards but have built a fairly solid foundation of strength over the years that I'm keen to maintain.
The main options seem to be kettle bells and resistance bands. I like the idea of kettle bells, but am wondering if I'd need to invest in quite a lot of different ones to achieve the right levels of resistance on various exercises.
Resistance bands seem more flexible in this respect (no pun intended), as from what I've read you can fine tune the weight quite easily. How do they feel though? when I tried them once many years ago I seem to remember that they went from no resistance, to lots of resistance in a matter of a few inches. Have they improved so their resistance is more linear?
Sorry for all the questions. Feel free to share any experiences you have.
I don't like resistance bands for much in the way of loading. They're great for some things, and as an addition - but I don't think they're much of a substitute.
When you say "right levels of resistance for various exercises" with kettlebells, you might find that there's something of a mindset adjustment. You can do your standard 3x8 etc with them, but they're a lot better for doing a lot of swings, or timed KB clean and jerks or complexes. I have a bunch, but pared down I could get by happily with 2x20 and 1-2x24.
As there was some discussion of minimalist kit:
Kettlebells as above
Parallettes
Somewhere to do pull-ups that I could attach rings for dips to
Exercise bike and running/hiking shoes
Currently that's about all I'm using anyway. Somewhere to deadlift is going to be the only addition for the rest of this year.
When you say "right levels of resistance for various exercises" with kettlebells, you might find that there's something of a mindset adjustment. You can do your standard 3x8 etc with them, but they're a lot better for doing a lot of swings, or timed KB clean and jerks or complexes. I have a bunch, but pared down I could get by happily with 2x20 and 1-2x24.
As there was some discussion of minimalist kit:
Kettlebells as above
Parallettes
Somewhere to do pull-ups that I could attach rings for dips to
Exercise bike and running/hiking shoes
Currently that's about all I'm using anyway. Somewhere to deadlift is going to be the only addition for the rest of this year.
V8covin said:
Or if you want something more permanent, this is similar to the one I have: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9...
You screw two cups into the doorframe and then the bar twists and extends to fit the gap. Remember that for both the above you'll need a door with a high enough ceiling (check you can clear your head freely above the bar).
RobM77 said:
V8covin said:
Or if you want something more permanent, this is similar to the one I have: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9...
You screw two cups into the doorframe and then the bar twists and extends to fit the gap. Remember that for both the above you'll need a door with a high enough ceiling (check you can clear your head freely above the bar).
Hoofy said:
RobM77 said:
V8covin said:
Or if you want something more permanent, this is similar to the one I have: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9...
You screw two cups into the doorframe and then the bar twists and extends to fit the gap. Remember that for both the above you'll need a door with a high enough ceiling (check you can clear your head freely above the bar).
I should have stated that mine came with two cups and I never really questioned it (mine's very similar to the straight bar in the second link and I bought it from Argos a few years ago). I've never tried it with just friction, but that may cause more damage to the doorframe than three screw holes that would be easily filled, sanded and painted over if I ever move the bar. Plus it's more confidence inspiring knowing that it's screwed in place! I think if I didn't want to screw holes into the doorframe then I'd go for the one that Hoofy linked to.Rather than start a new thread on this subject, I'll post in here....
Home gymming, is it actually worthwhile?
Do those of you with home gyms actually use them and get value from them? Do you have a honeymoon period where you are always in there and then later you become complacent about it thinking "oh yeah its just there, I can go anytime I want, I'll just watch this first"..."oooh its time for bed, maybe tomorrow!"
Currently contemplating it because a years gym membership could almost cover most of what I use in the gym, so it wouldn't take long before it "owes me nothing" in a sense.
Home gymming, is it actually worthwhile?
Do those of you with home gyms actually use them and get value from them? Do you have a honeymoon period where you are always in there and then later you become complacent about it thinking "oh yeah its just there, I can go anytime I want, I'll just watch this first"..."oooh its time for bed, maybe tomorrow!"
Currently contemplating it because a years gym membership could almost cover most of what I use in the gym, so it wouldn't take long before it "owes me nothing" in a sense.
Otispunkmeyer said:
Rather than start a new thread on this subject, I'll post in here....
Home gymming, is it actually worthwhile?
Do those of you with home gyms actually use them and get value from them? Do you have a honeymoon period where you are always in there and then later you become complacent about it thinking "oh yeah its just there, I can go anytime I want, I'll just watch this first"..."oooh its time for bed, maybe tomorrow!"
Currently contemplating it because a years gym membership could almost cover most of what I use in the gym, so it wouldn't take long before it "owes me nothing" in a sense.
The opposite. If I had a gym membership, I'd probably have to make a real effort as it's pretty boring in a gym. Other stuff, I'm all too eager to get out of the house (climbing, tennis, dodgeball, martial arts, whatever) and usually arrive way too early.Home gymming, is it actually worthwhile?
Do those of you with home gyms actually use them and get value from them? Do you have a honeymoon period where you are always in there and then later you become complacent about it thinking "oh yeah its just there, I can go anytime I want, I'll just watch this first"..."oooh its time for bed, maybe tomorrow!"
Currently contemplating it because a years gym membership could almost cover most of what I use in the gym, so it wouldn't take long before it "owes me nothing" in a sense.
I have enough kit at home for anything up to intermediate and still use it regularly depending on my goals. Heavy stuff is ruled out but I could easily buy the stuff and use the garage if I wanted to. I still have access to a gym for 40kg+ DBs and deadlift weight beyond what I could ever imagine lifting.
Otispunkmeyer said:
Rather than start a new thread on this subject, I'll post in here....
Home gymming, is it actually worthwhile?
Do those of you with home gyms actually use them and get value from them? Do you have a honeymoon period where you are always in there and then later you become complacent about it thinking "oh yeah its just there, I can go anytime I want, I'll just watch this first"..."oooh its time for bed, maybe tomorrow!"
Currently contemplating it because a years gym membership could almost cover most of what I use in the gym, so it wouldn't take long before it "owes me nothing" in a sense.
I had no choice but to use my home gym, it has been fine for the 16 months I have been using it, and making half decent progress. A full cage is essential, though, so you need room for that.Home gymming, is it actually worthwhile?
Do those of you with home gyms actually use them and get value from them? Do you have a honeymoon period where you are always in there and then later you become complacent about it thinking "oh yeah its just there, I can go anytime I want, I'll just watch this first"..."oooh its time for bed, maybe tomorrow!"
Currently contemplating it because a years gym membership could almost cover most of what I use in the gym, so it wouldn't take long before it "owes me nothing" in a sense.
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