Why do people bother paying to Exercise?

bb1234567 wrote: »

Its horrible to go out for a run in the irish weather. Its dark by 4.30/5 and if you go out earlier when its not dark youre running against strong winds (which is really annoying because you go about twice as slow and it feels like your not going anywhere fast and making no progress) and the rain spitting in your face. A run on a threadmill in a nice bright clean gym is far nicer and it counts your progress/times/calories too.

On the other hand wind resistance makes you work harder, and i've heard (granted, from people who may be retarded) that the varied terrain and gradients of running outside is a much more thorough workout.

Another advantage is that you have to actually get BACK to where you started (which i've always found to be a great motivator), rather than just stepping off the treadmill when you feel like it:D

I pay to to go to the gym but the thing i dont understand is when groups of women pay to go to the gym only to walk on the treadmill... whats the point of that.. its dead annoying when you are waiting to use one and its full of fat-arsed women strolling along chatting to each other... if you want to lose some weight then break some sweat fatties!!!!!!!!!

oranbhoy67 wrote: »

if you want to lose some weight then break some sweat fatties!!!!!!!!!

The only thing they'll be breaking is the machines

To a certain extent I'd agree, if I just wanted to do cardio then I wouldn't join a gym. I used to do a lot of cardio before I wanted to bulk up and this would involve road running, cycling and sports in general. I would pick running in the pouring rain over running on a treadmill everyday of the week.

However when it comes to weights it's a different story. Yes you can do weights at home like I did for a while but it just isn't the same as the gym. Some of the machines can work certain muscles that are harder to work when doing it at home.

If you're into bulking up then you need to be lifting heavier each set you do, at home this will involve constant switching over on your dumbells and barbells and eventually these will become too light for you anyway. You'd be surprised how your strength can fly up in the gym. Having someone there to spot you when lifting is a major asset, at home people might be content to just do enough without over streching themselves, this won't get you very far if your goal is to get bigger.

You need to shock your muscles and this is achieved by lifting a weight that at first seems almost impossible for you to lift. You won't bench much at home unless there's always someone around to help.

I have allergy induced asthma so I pretty much can't work out outside for most of the year so I have no choice but to work out at a gym - also not much room at home for a work out (also, I'm more likely to lay out on the couch eating biscuits instead at home):P

john t wrote: »

too look muscly you have too eat good and train hard.. its not easy..

Too right and when you've a high metabolism it's even worse. Drinking full fat milk is good too. Was on 4 litres a day at one stage and it certainly helped.

Captain_Generic wrote: »

Between a €25 set of weights from argos and running around my area i've been sorted for several years. Played rugby at a fairly high standard with people who went to the gym religiously and I can't say there was much of a difference in fitness and development. Seems like a complete waste of money to be honest

€25 set of weights and you played at a fairly high standard?

You must have outgrown those weights after a few sessions - imagine how much better you could have been had you lifted heavier.

JokerD wrote: »

I would pick running in the pouring rain over running on a treadmill everyday of the week.

Truth! Its the only time I get to catch up on my podcasts as well, since the car stereo doesn't do mp3s. I love jogging listening to a good drama or something similar, you do not notice the miles.