The Gym

[WalkableBuffalo]

I want to know any and all thoughts that you have of the gym
My interest in posting this topic was sparked when I found out two of my friends wanted to start going to the gym, and surprisingly another already goes to the gym. They are both girls 15-16 years old. I am also currently 15

In my opinion at this age, the gym is (almost) completely unnecessary and pointless. I agree with them that going to a gym keeps you healthy and active, but when you're young and you have time outside of school you choose to spend it in a GYM?
It just seems so stupid to me

Please, tell me what you think of the gym and what you think of this situation

EDIT: Okay christ, I never said it was a waste of time, it just seems like a step too far in my opinion unless you have a goal that really needs achieving, I think if you just want to stay healthy casually the gym is a large commitment

 

[Legit101]

......................

 

[Jonluw]

I think it's unnecessary to spend money on access to training equipment when you can work out just fine with the equipment nature gave you.

Unless you're seriously working towards being a body builder or something, that is.
Also this:

 

[Sovvolf]

Honestly unless the gym is a specialist gym for learning something like martial arts, I don't tend to go to them. Mainly because the martial arts ones cost enough already and I've got enough weights and gym equipment at home that I honestly don't see the point.

Also maybe at say 12- 14 I'd say the gym would be pointless to someone of your age. However your 15 so I'd say its got some bearing. A lot start going to the gym at the age or less, gets you fit and healthy. Makes you physically stronger and more active. In this situation I'd go for it. Even if its just a few hours once a week. I'm sure the extra physical fitness can't be a negative, specially if your still in school. Which I'd thought of doing something along those lines when I was at school.

That being said, its probably just easier(and in the long run cheaper) to buy gym equipment for the house and exercise there.

 

[Fishyash]

I think it's unnecessary to spend money on access to training equipment when you can work out just fine with the equipment nature gave you.

Unless you're seriously working towards being a body builder or something, that is.

This is pretty much my stance on it. I just find it unnecessary unless you are wanting to be a sports professional (a bit of an exaggeration but you know what I mean). Going to the gym just for the sake of fitness seems like a waste of money. I find power walking, jogging, push ups, crunches etc. should suffice.

I guess going to the gym is considered more enjoyable for some people though.

 

[Queen Michael]

I don't go to the gym. If I need excercise I'll help a friend move or something.

 

[Steppin Razor]

I think it's unnecessary to spend money on access to training equipment when you can work out just fine with the equipment nature gave you.

Unless you're seriously working towards being a body builder or something, that is.

Motivation is a big factor when it comes to working out, and a lot of people just don't have the drive to do it alone. Sure, they'll start out strong, maybe even make it a few weeks, but then they'll slow down and eventually just stop altogether. And that's where gyms come in. All you need is the motivation to get yourself down to the gym, once there the environment where you are surrounded by other people working out and using the treadmills/exercise bikes makes it much easier to do your work out without slacking off.

On topic
I'm pretty sure the above makes my feelings on gyms pretty clear. If you don't need them, you don't need them. But for others, they're pretty good places that provide the perfect environment for working out.

 

[The Diabolical Biz]

But if you don't go to the Gym, how can you get your 8 badges and become the champion?

And, if my memory serves me correctly, there's normally some douchebag bouncer outside town who won't let you leave town unless you've got the Badge anyway...so yeah if you ever want to see the world, get your butt down there quick!

 

[Gwarr]

You're talking like the gym will occupy all your life . You can go 3 hours a week and still develop a strong body . The key is in nutrition .
I would strongly advise against doing it by yourself alone because you can get seriously injured+ the gym has a lot more professional equipment which can help you reach your goals faster . You don't need a trainer , if you do things wrong , there will be people correcting you ( and sometimes mocking ) , but that's how it works

 

[WalkableBuffalo]

@Jonluw
Thank you very much for that link, I do love Michael McIntyre, I shall not be joining a gym now...

..they're pretty good places that provide the perfect environment for working out.

That's a good point, but I think it's that thing that puts me off, maybe I just get intimidated when people around me are all performing at a higher level

 

[Furious Styles]

I have membership at a sports centre, but its mainly for the swimming pool. I'm more interested in being healthy than being buff, but some of my friends at uni go to the gym a fair bit so I'll probably go with them to see if i enjoy it.

I'd say that if you want to be that little bit more physically attractive or better at your chosen sport, then the gym is probably a good idea but if you're not fussed there's no need.

 

[Rawne1980]

I started 2 martial arts, 1 at 7 and another at 9 so spent a vast majority of my time as a kid in the gym.

To be fair it was the late 80's through to early 90's so there wasn't much else to do. It kept me fit and occupied.

I still go to the gym now and have a multigym at home for when i'm too busy to go out.

I'd rather keep myself in shape.

Nothing stupid or pointless about a person wanting to keep fit or put on a bit of muscle. What is stupid and pointless is spending 14 hours a day sat in front of the TV.

 

[Hlain]

I think it's unnecessary to spend money on access to training equipment when you can work out just fine with the equipment nature gave you.

You mean work out with rocks or what?

When it comes to the building of muscles, I don't really see how you would work out efficently without gym equipment. It's also much easier to quantify the exercises and train specific muscles.

I wouldn't do the "low effect" training (running, cycling etc) in a gym though.

 

[Sovvolf]

I would strongly advise against doing it by yourself alone because you can get seriously injured..

Not if your sensible. The problem is when you get too cocky and start trying to use weights way above what you should be using. Start small and work your way up until your at a point where its not too much of a struggle and its not too comfortable, then you should be fine. When it does become too easy, move up in weight slightly and well keep going at it until that weight class becomes too light and easy for you and so on and so forth.

Just don't start thinking your Arnold and that you can live heavy weights with ease. Thats when you get yourself hurt.

 

[Badong]

Unless you want to be exceptionally ripped and/or hyper-fit, going to gym wouldn't be necessary. Try to research on workouts and exercises that need little to no amount of equipment if you just want to be more fit.

OT: I, for one, like to go to gym. I go there to build muscle mass, spar with random folk (who are in the most part pleasant to be with), meet new friends, and occasionally hit on a guy who caught my eye.

 

[Jonluw]

I think it's unnecessary to spend money on access to training equipment when you can work out just fine with the equipment nature gave you.

You mean work out with rocks or what?

When it comes to the building of muscles, I don't really see how you would work out efficently without gym equipment. It's also much easier to quantify the exercises and train specific muscles.

As I said: If you're working towards a specific goal, the gym can be a handy tool.
But if you're just trying to stay in reasonable shape and health, I don't think the cost is worth it.
You'll do fine with push-ups and running. Maybe buy yourself a dumbell and a pull-up bar if you want to build some extra muscle.

 

[LongAndShort]

I am pretty anti-gym, mostly because I've always had pretty negative experiences with people at the gym. I'm a little, skinny guy, who's been with mates and relos a few times to the gym, and I've usually found condescension and arrogance coming from a lot of the people there, leaving me feeling intimidated and insulted. My mates and relos generally tell me that I just haven't met all the great and helpful people who go to the gym (that they've made friends with), and I believe them (because they are gym-goers), I think I've just been unlucky. It's still left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I'll just say, if you're gonna do it, go with mates.

 

[Zantos]

I quite like them. There's one in between my flat and university, so I like to pop in for half an hour, maybe an hour to swim, run, do weights, whatever. I'm already seeing the difference, by the time it comes to graduating and getting a job imma gonna look goooood. I originally started going out of necessity, my doctor said I needed to lose weight. Now I actually enjoy going for the feeling it gives you.

 

[WalkableBuffalo]

Yeah I might go one day, for now I don't feel up to the job

So I'm going to just start doing some exercising at home, we've got weights and bikes and things, and my dad is in the army and does a lot of training so if ever I need some help he can tell me what to do I'm sure