Gyms won't give you a straight answer on monthly costs

[Tek7 (Legacy)]

I just got off the phone with a local gym. I called with the intent of asking for their monthly rates, thanking them, and hanging up. Instead, I got transferred to a "fitness specialist" or some such person and was invited to visit the gym for a tour. I made my intentions clear on at least three separate occasions but never got a straight answer about pricing. Has anyone else run into this problem?

It's a general rule that any business that dances around the question of price is out to swindle you. Yes, I'm skeptical about businesses, but I'm especially skeptical when they won't answer any of your questions before you're on their "turf." Gyms rank just below scientology when it comes to smokescreens and seduction.

That's my rant.

Now, that being said, can anyone suggest a practical guide for in-home exercise? My wife and I live in a small (650 sq. ft.) apartment and our budget is already very tight, so exercise equipment is out of the question. We both attend colleges with free gyms, but we want to work out together. I've found some basic stretches while surfing the web, but I'd like to hear from those more experienced with regular exercise as to what is and is not helpful.

 

[kraniac]

I looked up some hand stretches to do when my hands cramp up from UT, but that's pretty much the limit of my expertise.

I used to do push-ups and sit-ups daily, back when my metabolism was slow. If you want to do what I did, just do as many as you can of each, record the numbers, and then try to do half or two-thirds of that number every day, and each week, increase the number that you do every day by one or two. Eventually you'll notice that you're able to do a lot more than when you started.

Also, DDR is great exercise. If you have the ability to play playstation discs, either with a PS, PSone, or PS2, you can buy one of the older Playstation 1 versions of the game for pretty cheap. Pads might be a little on the pricey side (top-of-the-line RedOctane Ignition 3 pads running you 80 bucks apiece), and doing your best on the harder songs pretty much requires a good pad, but if you're willing to invest an hour or two and an extra 10 bucks at the hardware store, you can turn a $10 Mad Catz pad into a quality, plywood backed pad that will work much better.

 

[astrod00d]

I recommend at least 30 continuous minutes of cardiovascular excersize everyday. Cardio gets your heart rate up to a certain range and you maintain that heart rate for a period of time. My favorite way to get this type of excersize is on a Cross Trainer machine. It simulates running but with no impact weight on your knees. Just step on the machine, select the cardio excersize, set your weight and time, and off you go. You can do it on an excersize bike also but you won't burn as many calories. Anything that you do in addition to this excersize is a bonus.

That being said, I don't want to give anyone the illusion that I do this myself. My laziness and gaming nature usually limits me to about 3 days a week.

 

[Kidan]

There's all sorts of exercises that can be performed at home (here's a short list: http://www.weightlossforgood.co.uk/exercise_at_home.htm and here's another http://www.lhj.com/lhj/category.jhtml?categoryid=/templatedata/lhj/category/data/HowToExercises.xml)

In addition there are other things that can be done as well.

* User the stair way as a step exerciser
* Walk the length of your apartment multiple times on your tip toes
* Put your back flat against a wall/door, and do a sitting motion like that. Your body * the wall will look like an 'h' when done correctly

A thing to do to make those exercises harder would be to get two empty milk jugs, fill them with water, and use them for free weights, or just carry them around while doing the other exercises.

 

[Avesther]

Whats wrong with the free gym at college solution? If you guys go to different colleges, don't they have a reduced rate for spouses and family members?

Do you have to work out with each other all the time?

The problem with most gyms is that I don't feel comfortable working out with women in the room, and I'm sure women feel the same about men.

I also find that same sex friends make better motivators for keeping to an excersize regiment then our partners. I find my wife is more willing to be sympathetic to me not wanting to do something versus a friend who will kick me in the butt to get it done.

The best cardiovascular activity for a married couple to enage in together for excersize is God ordaned and doesn't need a lot of space or a gym membership.

 

[Tek7 (Legacy)]

Also, DDR is great exercise.

Second floor apartment with neighbors below != DDR.

My favorite way to get this type of excersize is on a Cross Trainer machine.

Not enough money, not enough space.

Whats wrong with the free gym at college solution?

We'd like to work out together. It's not strictly necessary, but would be strongly preferred.

If you guys go to different colleges, don't they have a reduced rate for spouses and family members?

Perhaps, but there are so many hassles (far from home, have to find and pay for parking, etc.) that it's not feasible.

 

[theapoc]

Some companies pool together and get a membership. Maybe check where you work, see if anything like that is going on. I've been working out at my gym since Oct. 04 and love it. It's modern and clean. I don't know if $30/mo is cheap, I've never had a membership anywhere else.

practical guide for in-home exercise?

I don't think those ever actually work. Theres no motivation. When you go into a gym you look around at people really getting into it (the guy over in the corner with veins shooting out of his face-- haha), thats what gets me 'in the mood'. On top of that you could make some friends there. I've met some people at my gym.

I will miss my gym when I leave for the Air Force ;(.

 

[[toj.cc]WildBillKickoff]

Gyms won't give you a straight answer on monthly costs

In an addendum, this just in: politicians will sometimes tell you something just to get you to vote for them!

You DON'T want my fitness advice. I've gained like 10 pounds a year since I got married... 6 years ago.

 

[LITSAFALDA]

First suggestion for a gym would be to look into your local ymca or ywca. Usually have classes etc for minimal class fees like $1-2 per class plus many have pools great cardio exercise. Next I would suggest something like pilates or even yoga....... good core traing, helps with balance, and also stress levels..... I am not saying go into the religion behind these. You can go to target or walmart and get vcr or dvd tapes for less then $20 in most cases.
I agree with the stairs but if not at home why not at school......at least at my college we had several places that had multiple flights....... also at school or a local park what about walking or running if you feel so inclined sorry I don't but you may.

Those are my cheap solutions........... we had a membership to a local club and when I was motivated and my schedule allowed it I loved several of the specific classes.... water aerobics and pilates were my favorites. Hubby and I both agreed after all of these monthly expenses it just wasn't worth it for us. He kept feeling it was a charitable contribution. I hope this helps.
Blessings,"Angel"

 

[Weazel]

You should not get membership from your gym unless you can really afford it or you get it for free. 30-50 bucks a month isn't worth it.

What I suggest is to run. Start every other day, 2-3 miles, then slowly build your way up. Running is one of the best ways to exercise, and it's one of the easiest. All you need is a pair of running shoes. I'm not talking about treadmill. Treadmill is terrible. Run on the street if you can.

If you can't get a workout machine, just do pushups and situps, which should be fine if you just want to build strength. Unless you want defined muscles. In which pushups do nothing.

If motivation is a problem, there are several things you could do. One, just think about how much weight you gained in the past few weeks (I'll get bashed for this, but it works for me. Honestly.). Two, you could sign up for a road race. It either motivates you to train for it, or (If you don't train) it gives you a measuring stick with other people and/or times for you to reach.

 

[astrod00d]

I will miss my gym when I leave for the Air Force ;(.

Joining the Air Force? Good on ya bro. I'm a vet myself. My wife's still in as a Staff Sergeant.

As for the gym, every base you go to will have a gym. I'm here at Offutt AFB in Nebraska and we actually have 2 gyms on base. The one I use is called the Field House and is a converted bomber hangar. It's huge! It's the actualy hangar that the Boxcar and Enola Gay bombers were modified in to carry their payloads to Japan in WWII. They strive to give airmen the means to stay in shape.

 

[Pelagrin]

Have you looked into the YMCA? My wife and I did that for a while. It was reasonably priced and they have a lot to offer.

As an even cheaper option, there is a program for the PC and Xbox called Yourself Fitness. When you first set it up, you enter a variety of information such as height, weight, pulse when resting, pulse after 2 minutes of jumping jacks, activity level, goals, etc. It then generates a work-out routine for you based on your needs and it makes suggestions for your diet. It's not perfect, but it's almost like having your own personal trainer.

You also can tell it what equipment (weights, workout ball, step, etc) you have available to you in order to do a variety of additional exercises.

Of course, like all things, it only works if you use it. You might end up having the problem that I had. I didn't really have a lot of room and it made it difficult to use. I would have to move things around in our living room just so I could exercise.


Do you have your wife have bikes? There are a lot of places to go biking around the St. Louis area. It is great exercise and it's something that my wife and I enjoy doing together.

Rollerblading is also a lot of fun and great exercise, or since it's winter, you coul go Ice Skating. There are several indoor rinks where you can ice skate year round (St. Louis Mills has one) and there's a really cool outdoor rink in Forest Park.

 

[Pilgrim]

The best cardiovascular activity for a married couple to enage in together for excersize is God ordaned and doesn't need a lot of space or a gym membership.

Try a "Jump to Conclusions" Mat. You see, you have this mat, with different CONCLUSIONS written on it that you could JUMP TO.

 

[Pilgrim]

As an even cheaper option, there is a program for the PC and Xbox called Yourself Fitness. When you first set it up, you enter a variety of information such as height, weight, pulse when resting, pulse after 2 minutes of jumping jacks, activity level, goals, etc. It then generates a work-out routine for you based on your needs and it makes suggestions for your diet. It's not perfect, but it's almost like having your own personal trainer.

Link?

 

[Killerah]

DDR ftw.

 

[theapoc]

Joining the Air Force? Good on ya bro. I'm a vet myself. My wife's still in as a Staff Sergeant.

As for the gym, every base you go to will have a gym. I'm here at Offutt AFB in Nebraska and we actually have 2 gyms on base. The one I use is called the Field House and is a converted bomber hangar. It's huge! It's the actualy hangar that the Boxcar and Enola Gay bombers were modified in to carry their payloads to Japan in WWII. They strive to give airmen the means to stay in shape.

Yep, trying to anyway. I would already be done with basic and probably be deployed by now, but I got sick with something called IBS. So I seperated from the DEP thinking this wasn't going away. I had it for almost one year and finally the symptoms faded away. Now im trying to get back in the DEP. Their just wanting documents from my doctor saying that im all better.

Yeah, I have a friend in the Air Force right now and he told me about the gyms. I think he just jogs down the road, but at one point he attended the gyms they had there on base.

 

[theapoc]

You should not get membership from your gym unless you can really afford it or you get it for free. 30-50 bucks a month isn't worth it.

What I suggest is to run. Start every other day, 2-3 miles, then slowly build your way up. Running is one of the best ways to exercise, and it's one of the easiest. All you need is a pair of running shoes. I'm not talking about treadmill. Treadmill is terrible. Run on the street if you can.

If you can't get a workout machine, just do pushups and situps, which should be fine if you just want to build strength. Unless you want defined muscles. In which pushups do nothing.

If motivation is a problem, there are several things you could do. One, just think about how much weight you gained in the past few weeks (I'll get bashed for this, but it works for me. Honestly.). Two, you could sign up for a road race. It either motivates you to train for it, or (If you don't train) it gives you a measuring stick with other people and/or times for you to reach.

Hiking is also a good way to stay in shape. I guess that depends on the terrain where you live. There is a huge hill right behind my house that goes near vertical at the top, but then again I live in hilly TN.

P.S. That's where I got my picture of Yoda, he was standing on the path talking to a tree and I snaped a shot of him. He then used the force to throw a tree at me ;( Grumpy lil guy.

 

[Bowser]

You should not get membership from your gym unless you can really afford it or you get it for free. 30-50 bucks a month isn't worth it.

What I suggest is to run. Start every other day, 2-3 miles, then slowly build your way up. Running is one of the best ways to exercise, and it's one of the easiest. All you need is a pair of running shoes. I'm not talking about treadmill. Treadmill is terrible. Run on the street if you can.

If you can't get a workout machine, just do pushups and situps, which should be fine if you just want to build strength. Unless you want defined muscles. In which pushups do nothing.

If motivation is a problem, there are several things you could do. One, just think about how much weight you gained in the past few weeks (I'll get bashed for this, but it works for me. Honestly.). Two, you could sign up for a road race. It either motivates you to train for it, or (If you don't train) it gives you a measuring stick with other people and/or times for you to reach.

Excellent advice. I say that if you're wanting to excercize in anything, go with what Weazel said. It's the easiest and most efficient way to excercize overall. Everything he mentioned with the exception of the push-ups is great for a two person group, and all it costs you is a pair of shoes (which you probably already own).

 

[Weazel]

Excellent advice. I say that if you're wanting to excercize in anything, go with what Weazel said. It's the easiest and most efficient way to excercize overall. Everything he mentioned with the exception of the push-ups is great for a two person group, and all it costs you is a pair of shoes (which you probably already own).

Correction, running shoes. Non running shoes will most likely get you injured. I highly recommend Asics.

 

[Avesther]

Starting a discussion with "Perhaps" to the idea of using each others schools facilities, suggests to me you haven't even looked into the possibility. What happens if its free? That means you are only paying for parking. Which if you are going once a week, will cost you how much? If you are going twice a week, how much? What happens if they tell you its $10 a month for additional family members? $20? $40? At least they are giving you a set amount. Unlike the "Golds Gym's" of the world, the school gym has no real vested interest in getting you in the doors to sell you something you don't need.

Are you guys both driving vehicles to school, or is one buying a monthly transit pass? I don't know the whole story but answer me this:

Have you even called them?

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Thats not to knock any of the idea's anybody that has posted here. It just seems to me that you passively waved off what could be a good use of resources because of a perhaps.