Working out at home is better.
- Thread starter TheGhostOfAgassi
- Start date
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
It's been like that for two months. You can find stuff but at four times the typical cost.
On the plus side, there are going to be some absolute bargains to be had in the second hand market in the coming months and years.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
I wonder about that.
I think that most weighed the costs and benefits of a home gym carefully as you need to have the space cleared and make the purchases which has been quite difficult. You can spend five years of gym memberships outfitting a home gym. We might have a permanent conversion to home gym from a conventional gym. Two of the large gym chains are on the brink of bankruptcy. I'm pretty sure that Planet Fitness will survive as they have the broadest appeal (they aren't hardcore).
Raul_SJ
G.O.A.T.
Yes, many women would be ogling you.
Very rarely see any women working out in the free weight room... Always guys.
Lots of these guys just stand around posing and looking in the mirror.
65% of women avoid the gym over anxiety about being judged. And that’s just one of the shocking statistics from a survey of 1,000 people across the U.S.
Although pumping iron among the toughest, strongest guys in the gym can give your ego feminist a boost, there is definitely something appealing about working out among your fellow gals.
5 Biggest Benefits of a Women Only Gym | NW Womens Fitness
Most gyms do their best to cater to both men and women. But there's a few reasons why a women only gym comes out in front for women. Check out the 5 biggest reasons why, and discover how to join the NW women-only Fitness gym community!
www.nwwomensfitness.com
Last edited:
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
Very rarely see any women working out in the free weight room... Always guys.
Lots of these guys just stand around posing and looking in the mirror.
65% of women avoid the gym over anxiety about being judged. And that’s just one of the shocking statistics from a survey of 1,000 people across the U.S.Although pumping iron among the toughest, strongest guys in the gym can give your ego feminist a boost, there is definitely something appealing about working out among your fellow gals.5 Biggest Benefits of a Women Only Gym | NW Womens Fitness
Most gyms do their best to cater to both men and women. But there's a few reasons why a women only gym comes out in front for women. Check out the 5 biggest reasons why, and discover how to join the NW women-only Fitness gym community!
I live in an area known as a good place for raising families so you have adults in their 30s and on up. Not many singles - they go to the big city when they can. So you have a lot of people that are overweight and out of shape doing low-intensity cardio or they use the weight machines at minimal settings. You have curious teens too but they're there just to check things out.
The vast majority use the machines and not the freeweights. The people that use the freeweights tend to know what they are doing.
One exception area is personal training. The people that get personal training do the free weights, machines and TRX. These people are all over the place. Some are actually really fit; some are beginners, many are in-between. If you're paying $30-$40 an hour, I guess you'll put more effort into it. Or maybe the scheduling aspect of personal training overcomes the desire to just skip the workout.
We have classes at the office - held in a very nice classroom. The people in the class are all women. The guys are in the other gym using the treadmill, bicycle, elliptical, free weights or the cable machine. Some stop in before running or bicycling outside. It's been this way for decades. Men and women just have different preferences for working out.
There are exceptions - there is a lady that works out with free-weights and I don't think that she does the classes but she's super-fit and works out for two hours a day (one hour strength, one hour cardio).
Turbo-87
G.O.A.T.
This is correct. You can find some stuff in really nice shape being sold by people who had good intentions. I got very lucky and bought a few things before gyms closed while others were scrambling for toilet paper. Two days after they closed, everything was gone in the used marketplace. I got my stuff for pennies on the dollar but I am going back to the gym when it is safe for me.
D
Deleted member 768841
Guest
The lockdown has definitely motivated me to start working out, I’ve been running miles on the treadmill and doing mainly core and leg workouts for when tennis resumes so I’ll be in top form. Then when I learn how to string, game over.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
I've started going to a local track for running. I find that I have fewer joint issues on a track than road running. The thing that's helped is that the weather is warmer - it was fairly miserable so far this year.
I would love to have a treadmill at home but there are three major disadvantages for us:
1) Noise
2) Cost
3) Space
An exercise bike is about half the cost, one-third the space, and near silent so it works well for us. I have worked on increasing the space for our home gym and it's looking very good. I was not able to do barbells for several days because the bike was in the way but I can get to them now. I also have two areas for bodyweight exercises and Yoga.
125downthemiddle
Banned
Gotta say it does indeed beat the gym. @TheGhostOfAgassi and I are both in better shape than before coronavirus and gym 3x a week.
It takes a fraction of the time and effort too.
Been doing this everyday:
1. 3 sets of chin ups/pull ups (you decide). 1st one narrow grip go to max (I did 49 yesterday she did 20). 2nd medium width grip and 3rd wide grip.
2. 3 sets pushups with perfect pushup disks on yoga mat twist out while going down. Sets of as many as you can do, try to add over time. I do 21.
3. Medicine ball (8 kg) squats 3 sets. Medicine ball above head calf raises 3 sets.
This hits pretty much every muscle group in your body and takes 30-40 minutes. I'm a naturally slender guy (athletic but slim) and I thought I need complicates gym workouts to keep muscle on. But I'm actually ADDING muscle doing this. Takes 30-40 min a day and in the comfort of your own home. I even skip days at a time from laziness or needing to rest and it hasn't slowed progress.
Give it a try Why bother with the gym when you can do it from the comfort of your own home...absolutely no need to be forced to interact with sweaty guys on roids packed like a sardine can in a gym
It takes a fraction of the time and effort too.
Been doing this everyday:
1. 3 sets of chin ups/pull ups (you decide). 1st one narrow grip go to max (I did 49 yesterday she did 20). 2nd medium width grip and 3rd wide grip.
2. 3 sets pushups with perfect pushup disks on yoga mat twist out while going down. Sets of as many as you can do, try to add over time. I do 21.
3. Medicine ball (8 kg) squats 3 sets. Medicine ball above head calf raises 3 sets.
This hits pretty much every muscle group in your body and takes 30-40 minutes. I'm a naturally slender guy (athletic but slim) and I thought I need complicates gym workouts to keep muscle on. But I'm actually ADDING muscle doing this. Takes 30-40 min a day and in the comfort of your own home. I even skip days at a time from laziness or needing to rest and it hasn't slowed progress.
Give it a try Why bother with the gym when you can do it from the comfort of your own home...absolutely no need to be forced to interact with sweaty guys on roids packed like a sardine can in a gym
If you're inviting us to choose your work out for you, then today I'd like pull ups please!
If it was more a comment on the naming conventions, then the generally accepted definition is that chin ups are with your palms facing you, pull ups are palms away.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
I proudly report that my 6-year-old nephew did 72 pull-ups in a row today. All of them all the way down to full extension.
125downthemiddle
Banned
Chin ups involve biceps more so they're easier but it's a full back/bis workouts
EddieBrock
Hall of Fame
Gotta say it does indeed beat the gym. @TheGhostOfAgassi and I are both in better shape than before coronavirus and gym 3x a week.
It takes a fraction of the time and effort too.
Been doing this everyday:
1. 3 sets of chin ups/pull ups (you decide). 1st one narrow grip go to max (I did 49 yesterday she did 20). 2nd medium width grip and 3rd wide grip.
2. 3 sets pushups with perfect pushup disks on yoga mat twist out while going down. Sets of as many as you can do, try to add over time. I do 21.
3. Medicine ball (8 kg) squats 3 sets. Medicine ball above head calf raises 3 sets.
This hits pretty much every muscle group in your body and takes 30-40 minutes. I'm a naturally slender guy (athletic but slim) and I thought I need complicates gym workouts to keep muscle on. But I'm actually ADDING muscle doing this. Takes 30-40 min a day and in the comfort of your own home. I even skip days at a time from laziness or needing to rest and it hasn't slowed progress.
Give it a try Why bother with the gym when you can do it from the comfort of your own home...absolutely no need to be forced to interact with sweaty guys on roids packed like a sardine can in a gym
Last week I did 4 sets of push ups and pull ups (using assistance bands and alternating the type of pull up) and I was done for the day.
What's the benefit of using the perfect pushup vs. push up stands? I've got both and have never used the perfect push up. Does the rotating seem to help?
125downthemiddle
Banned
The twist allows you to engage more muscles, I feel a much deeper activation thruout the whole chest, and especially in shoulders and triceps. It also ensures perfect form.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
I don't see how you can fix this problem.
Some gyms with cardio equipment are suggesting spacing but I don't think that's enough.
In the meantime, those that can, are building home gyms.
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
I can assure you the discs makes it more effective.
My starting point wasn’t great even without them. For some reason I can do chin ups and pull ups but push ups more tricky. I could do 7 with the push up discs as a start and that’s not many. W my knees down too.
Just after a week I could do many more w the discs and I put the discs further apart to target more of the back muscles in the upper arm. I get work out pain and everything in both that back arm muscles and chest muscles as well.
You twist the discs while doing the push ups. It’s super effective and not an expensive thing either. I have some joint issues and I feel the discs also strengthen the wrists. Normal pushups haven’t been so good for my wrists.
yossarian
Professional
Can you fit through doorways
125downthemiddle
Banned
Barely
I'm actually slender/muscular. Weigh about 82 kilos.
Pull ups/chin ups is more about strength to size than pure strength or pure size.
yossarian
Professional
I do them weighted. Haven’t tested a max body weight set in a while but I could probably get 16 ish. My endurance on them isn’t great
if you guys want a more difficult push up variation, I’ve found this to be good. I just use a glossy magazine paper in lieu of a slider
125downthemiddle
Banned
I've gotta try that, do you feel a lot isolated in the pec of the side you're doing?
yossarian
Professional
yeah i can do a one arm push up but not enough in a row to actually make an exercise out of it. So this is an easier variation. I try to keep most of the weight on the one arm and definitely feel it
occasionally I’d feel a bit of discomfort in the lat/teres major reason of the arm that’s out in front, so I’ve found elevating the working arm slightly on a book mitigates it
EddieBrock
Hall of Fame
I'm the opposite. With my push up bars I can do 20+ push ups but like I mentioned before only 3 or so pull ups unassisted.
I'll give the push up disks a try next week.
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
When you know how many that don’t wash their hands after being to the bathroom... only that itself. Then touching all the equipment.. it’s a bit gross.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
How many squats can you do with the 8 kg medicine ball?
Once these get too easy, a variation you can try is one-legged pistol squats. Then once bodyweight gets too easy you can start adding weight.
125downthemiddle
Banned
Many like 15 or more deep squats, yeah I seem to get decent results but they are quite easy, one of my friends mentioned pistol squats, how do those work for you?
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
I actually only do them once in awhile or when I am traveling and don’t go to a gym. They require a combination of balance and strength.
Another exercise I like when traveling is running up stairs 2 or 3 steps at a time.
The gym I belong to is currently open because there are almost zero cases of covid19 where I am. I just go on off hours. I generally only go about once every 3-5 days.
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
We ended our gym membership.
The owner been trying to call us and he has also sent us e-mails. It feels little bit bad to not support the local gym, but it’s no point going there anymore. Hard to find inspiration to use their machines when results there slower and also takes more time.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
I'm a bit surprised that you haven't constructed a home gym or have one already. It is hard to build one right now but things should get better in July for buying certain things. It's still easier to workout at home at 3:00 AM.
ollinger
G.O.A.T.
have moved in that direction, got a gym-quality elliptical, a not-gym-quality rowing machine, some weights and cables, wife recently got an infrared sauna that seats 2
Turbo-87
G.O.A.T.
Problems at gyms can't be fixed because they contain people.
I can't tell you how many times I have seen people use the restroom and just go right back out on the floor without washing their hands. You just had your junk in your hand, dude. Let me know what you are using next.
I will always contend that everyone's definition of a workout is different and there are just some things you can't replicate at home. Home gyms DO work for some.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
Most people can't afford or don't have space for a cage or Smith Machine and you don't have spotters available at home. So, no, you can't have everything.
But tennis players generally aren't bodybuilders.
I'm still working on my home gym. I would be exceedingly happy with another two 25 pound plates and four 10 pound plates. I'd love a pullup/dip/roman chair machine too. Amazon has them for $149. Space is a current problem with such a machine though.
125downthemiddle
Banned
Haven't been inside a gym in 3 months and won't ever go back
Bodyweight exercises are more than enough
Bodyweight exercises are more than enough
Last edited:
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
Isn’t it other options than the chair that takes space?
My dad always working out at home, and he never went to the gym. Very fit and big to this day. He always said gym is for the beginners. He has a weight system that took about 2x2 meters he has been using for over 20 years. Still works.
Cardio just do jumping rope, running or tennis.
125downthemiddle
Banned
@TheGhostOfAgassi dad is an actual alpha male. Old school Italian, high t even in his 60s but still has full head of hair, very big and fit, doesn't need a gym and steroids etc etc.
I find this way of doing things more natural and inspiring.
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
Too much testosterone sometimes, been waiting for it to come down lol
But I think maybe I inherited some strength from him even though I’m not big, I can lift and do more than average. And he has thought me a lifestyle w sports and being fit.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
Running and tennis are subject to weather. Jumping rope isn't great for knees and feet.
Which is why I went with a spin bike. Rowing was another option but they're quite noisy. I also have to keep two other people in the household with the home gym.
My tennis club has three facilities and weights and cardio along with indoor tracks. Life will be easier when they reopen though I don't know how much will open. Best option is still home gym for me. I just need a few more plates.
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
I like home gym too!
I love being at home in general. I feel the most comfortable at home. The 55” tv is good to have while doing squats, binge watching some Netflix or HBO.
And then of course having people I love the most around not needing to leave. In the middle of the pandemic we got a kitten too! All this spending time at home has gotten him so much attention and love. He is the most cuddly and naughty kitten we ever had. He loves to take his space and be a part of the family. And he is active when we are active too! Just have to be careful we don’t step on him coming down from the bar.
Sneakers is one of his favourite toys, this is a Hoka, but think his favourite is Nike’s
After a days work, dinner, family and so on, it’s just really nice to not have to leave the house anymore to a gym. But to be at home doing a quick workout w better results than I had at the gym, just feels better on every level.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Turbo-87
G.O.A.T.
I went back to the gym to feel what real weight was like since I had been working out on Bowflex for the past three months. I have to say that there is no replacement for the gym when it comes to bodybuilding using Bowflex. I am very sore and had lost about 65 pounds in bench press alone. It was quite humbling, I can tell you that. I am not sure if I will get back into a regular gym regimen yet. I only really went to check out the climate after they had been open for a month. It was late and there were few people there, so I took a calculated risk.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
I would like to go to the gym but right now they only allow you to use a personal trainer and schedule a time. I can't work like that - I need to be able to go when I'm free instead of scheduling. Our Governor has given absolutely no guidance on gyms reopening outside of group classes and personal-trainer classes. I think that many will go out of business if this lasts until the end of the year.
My manager said that we might open up the office in July. It would be with a reservation system - you state when you will be in. I suspect that it won't allow people in adjacent cubes to be in at the same time. I didn't get a chance to ask about the fitness centers in the building. WalMart 2.5 pound weight plates were orderable today on their website. I don't need 2.5s but it may mean that 25s will be available soon.
Turbo-87
G.O.A.T.
I feel like I will be taking a huge risk going back. The gym I go to has been open since May 17. Part of me feels irresponsible and that's the voice I should be listening to. Even Arnold Schwartzenegger stated today that he won't go to Gold's since no one wears masks while working out. He went there to check it out and left. Granted, he likely has a Gold's equivalent at home but just saying. I miss the equipment and social aspect to a much lesser degree. My body definitely knows the difference between a home Bowflex workout and a gym workout.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
My local Planet Fitness is opening up on Thursday. My current plan is to cancel my membership that day. They are raising the price of the Black Card membership, probably to pay for the additional cleaning. They will be doing temperature checks at the door and will make cardio and weight machines offline for social distancing. My YMCA membership is on hold until they determine what to do with tennis. Tennis is the main reason I'm there. I can play outdoors for the summer. If they don't make tennis available by August, I will drop my membership there and have to look for another club.
Our infection numbers have been dropping like a rock. We were at 1,500 a week ago and are now under 1,000. I look forward to 0 infections in my town and in the cities around me.
I will spend more money on the home gym for now. I spend $70/month for gym membership fees and it will be easy to recoup costs with home equipment.
Our infection numbers have been dropping like a rock. We were at 1,500 a week ago and are now under 1,000. I look forward to 0 infections in my town and in the cities around me.
I will spend more money on the home gym for now. I spend $70/month for gym membership fees and it will be easy to recoup costs with home equipment.
Turbo-87
G.O.A.T.
Good luck. It has really been a bummer not being able to stick to my regular routine. I was better than I had been in years in terms of size and strength when everything hit the fan. From November '19 to March '20 I had added 15 pounds of muscle and was bench pressing weight I hadn't handled in years. It would be a real shot in the arm if I was able to get back to it. I have quarantine exhaustion big time. Unfortunately, our numbers are staying about the same with some alarming spikes, mostly because of relaxed restrictions and Memorial Day weekend. Around here it seems like time has made everyone complacent, which happens a lot with many things in life. If I do end up going back, it is going to be at 4am opening so the place has been cleaned and there shouldn't be a gaggle of people there.
Unfortunately, our numbers are staying about the same with some alarming spikes, mostly because of relaxed restrictions and Memorial Day weekend. Around here it seems like time has made everyone complacent, which happens a lot with many things in life. If I do end up going back, it is going to be at 4am opening so the place has been cleaned and there shouldn't be a gaggle of people there.
125downthemiddle
Banned
I just played basketball today with @TheGhostOfAgassi and she was better than me or at least as good! Recommend that for cardio.
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
Are you surprised I could play some basketball?
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
Reminds me of Navratilova.
125downthemiddle
Banned
Are you surprised I could play some basketball?
Few things in life are a bigger turn on than a gal with a good jump shot
