Are gyms really worth it?

[IKO69]

Absolutely worth it (although I have to confess I no longer have a gym membership. At the start of the pandemic I converted my garage into one basically- bought a bunch of equipment and have worked out at home since). Being physically fit does wonders for your self esteem and has the side effect of increased attention from women. Calisthenics are enough to get you in shape (and heavily makes up my routine too) but the weights help big time.

Gym membership also shouldn't be $180 a month. That has to be some kind of luxury gym which is unnecessary for most people.

 

[Murk]

I prefer my home gym, not because of the money, but because I can dedicate 1-2 hours per day in my own time, no traveling to and from the gym or waiting for others to be finished. I can record my rest times, go to 4-5mins rest per set if needed on heavy compounds, send emails in between, with no distractions.

I lack certain machines but can duplicate the movements and hit all muscle groups anyway. I'd like some cables though. I find home gym allows me to work out 5-6 per week without fail no matter how busy my day is. It works for me.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

If I was still using free weights and/or machines then a gym would be worth it.

Since I am not and use heavy bands, my Bowflex and a heavy sandbag for training, it's not needed.

 

[Gamisch]

You shouldn't be using a Smith machine anyways for those exercises...unless you seriously want to injure yourself

Why is that?

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Why is that?

It's forces your body to move in a straight line and that's not the body's natural movement arc.

 

[Gamisch]

It's forces your body to move in a straight line and that's not the body's natural movement arc.

Interesting. I always feels like it somehow supports my movements..i am just leaving the noob stage when it comes to weight lifting so advice is welcome.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Interesting. I always feels like it somehow supports my movements..i am just leaving the noob stage when it comes to weight lifting so advice is welcome.

Squatting with any sort of heavy weight on this machine is a one way ticket to serious back problems.