Advice: Should I return to the gym in 2023? If so, which one should I go to?

Question

I've been taking a three month hiatus from the gym. I've honestly never felt better. I've always HATED going to the gym. Not because I wasn't willing to do the work for an hour to 90 minutes, three to four days a week, but because it was always fruitless.

I literally NEVER gained anything in my entire time I've gone to the gym. And I've to many in my adult life. From cardio gyms like Bally's Total Fitness in 2006 and Planet Fitness in 2010, to Judo/Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 2012, to MMA in 2013, to American boxing to 2015, to MMA again in 2018, and kickboxing in 2021.

Going to the gym just makes me hate my defective short body even more; because I'm sacrificing my happiness and time, for something that's likely going to be useless, as well as helping out my worst enemy at the same time.

At least, in martial arts gyms, I'm paying to learn a skill and how to improve my fighting skills, but what I ideally would want, is to improve my body and have one of those Chad six-pack bodies (just like most people who go to the gym; for looks purposes.) But I'm 99% sure it's genetically impossible for me to have a body like that. If I went to a cardio gym, I'd do weight-lifting the whole time, but purely for the strength, since tone and definition isn't possible.

Like I said though, I'm happy just going home after teaching, rather than spending one to two hours doing kickboxing or weight lifting and having no physical changes from it. But I also feel like it's kind of lazy and I need to do some kind of physical exercise (besides bike riding, taking the stairway, etc.) because "that's just what people are supposed to do." But I do like just relaxing after a long day of work; playing video games, watching YouTube, creative projects, learning Korean at home, etc.

WHICH DECISION DO YOU THINK I SHOULD DO?

Fitness gym, which is $30 a month.
Kickboxing gym, which is $120 a month.
Don't return to the gym and work on your mental health: Free.

HighValue · Accepted Answer

My advice is to get weights for at home and don't go to a gym. Think of it this way, at least 15 to 20 minutes drive to the gym and the same home. Plus you either change from your work clothes or you are at home when you get ready before going so you are spending at least an hour or more just changing clothes and traveling to and from the gym. If you had stuff at home you could use that time exercising instead.

Just get a set of adjustable dumbbells so you can make them 15 pounds each, and 25 pounds each. That is plenty good for most people. Do 4 sets of 25 reps (100 total), then increase over time to two sets of 35 reps and one set of 30, then eventually increase to two sets of 50 reps, then keep going until you can do 100 reps of a particular weight before increasing. Start with the 15 pound dumbbells (30 total with both) and once you can do 100 reps non stop, increase to the 25 pound dumbbells.

Don't work out the same muscle in consecutive days. I'd recommend Vertical press and calf lifts the first day, curls and squats the second day, take the third day off, then do back arms and planks the fourth day. So M, T, Wednesday is off, then TH. Try keeping up that routine for a full year consistently.

Don't change your diet by taking away anything you enjoy, but do make sure you drink a full glass of 2% milk before and after each workout session for protein and calcium.

Maybe take a before (now) and after picture too (one year from now). Don't expect to see noticable results though until about 3 months of consistently sticking to that.

D_Bone_Steak · Accepted Answer

A bench and some adjustable dumbbells would be my advice. You can literally do everything you want to do with just that. A basic bench on Amazon's choice is $45... The basic bitch set that comes with a tiny bit of weight is like another $45. I'd hit up the thrift store for heavier and just more plates to add. That's like 90 to 120 dollars and it's for life... if you move you take it with you. Do it whenever you want. No restricted hours. No auto payments you have to go in to cancel or hidden fees. If you want free pizza and donuts, you'll have to go buy it yourself (that's a poke at Total fitness gyms).

It is just so much you can do with just that basic stuff too. Want big ass thighs... Hungarian split squats. Youtube will provide you an answer to anything.

I will always advocate for a home gym. No sharing or having to clean up after someone else. No waiting on someone else. You're allowed to do deadlifts if you want to... in fact free weight exercises is pretty much your only option (another jab at Total Fitness). Need cardio? Less weight and more reps... maybe shorten the rest time.

I say fuck a gym... if you buy the shit you can shove in a closet you can say fuck working out when you want to as well. But it will always be there when you're done with drinking and snorting cocaine off a hookers asshole. I mean at least you're not paying a monthly fee for that shit sitting in the closet... right?

Cynicaldreamer · Answer

First off, I definitely think you should get back into fitness! If nothing else, it will help you to unwind, destress, and just make you feel better about yourself... mentally and physically.

I get it; after work I just want to play video games, be a lazy slob, and not think about anything... which is why I exercise before work, haha. But I also wake up at the crack of dawn to workout (400-500), so that only works if your schedule will allow it.

As for what you should do? Have you thought about doing home workouts? Since you seem happier away from the gym, it seems like you're not much of a gym person. However, nowadays they have so many options online: virtual bootcamps, online classes, or workouts on youtube for EVERYTHING... that way you can exercise in the comfort of your home without stressing out.

Yes, that would mean investing in some equipment, and that might be pricey, but in the long run, if you stick to it, it's worth it. For me, I exercise primarily at home: I have everything from a treadmill, dumbbells of assorted sizes, punching bag, trampoline, jump ropes... it's not a gym, but it gets the job done.

lightbulb27 · Answer

Do what you enjoy. I think you need to invest in a trainer to get the results you want, if that's what you want... a chiseled body. That means the gym plus people who train for that fitness. If it ends up being impossible... then that's that, set another goal. Maybe you need dietary help and to sacrafice like some body builders... some go all vegetarian, some just do this or that. Everyone is different.

What I would do is to set a goal (s) to achieve. I felt my best when I made a vacation goal to be in shape for and then trained for it. That was biking big mountains. It forced me to ride and rider harder than usual.

In general, I'd always do weights because you are on the downward slide that just gets worse... were losing muscle. You've got to fight gravity and build muscle and adjust your diet for your age as you age.

For what it's worth, I don't like the gym either, but I feel better when I do something and see the progress in strength. Keeping form... that is hard work if that is your goal and dedication and discipline. I don't have that, I want to enjoy my food.

Red-Blaze · Answer

Do something for your body health as it helps the mental one, I personally can't stand gyms, and most my own work outs are free running in the streets and used to do biscelling both need to make you feel good in the end
If the gym is not making you feel good stay away from it, but make sure to atick to some activity keep the blood flowing and just go out if you can or outher way
What makes you feel good in the end, mental in a body that is unhealthy is not going to last most times
Beside that you really should not let your highet be such a factor on your life, not saying its easy to take on that, but you got a good head on the shoulders for the most part (even if I do disagree with a lot that your saying) and honestly you got more then what many guys I meet over time ever seem to have
So if it bother you work on it, find what makes you healthy and happy over what outhers may say or/and what outhers do for them self

Lionman95 · Answer

If you hate going to the gym and you didn´t seem gain muscles from going there and I would avoid doing so since it not only didn´t work but you probably won´t go often if you don´t like it.

I think the only option in terms of gyms is to look for gyms that have a variety in what they offer. Since in my area that also offer courses where you could combine boxing or martial arts with weight lifting. That way you could do both at the same place.

But generally I also prefer B since that would change your body as well and you also get more in shape doing that plus it´s something that you seem to like more. Since the actual question what are you more likely to do longterm because the long terms effect change the body and make a bigger impact.

Truthatanycost · Answer

Who needs a gym? Just build one of these and do your favorite traditional lifts for 20 seconds 3x sets. I've built more muscle doing this than lifting weights and the science shows there is barely any difference. There are multiple benefits from this that you will never get with dynamic lifts. The commercial one is expensive but it allows you to monitor progress. But if you just go to failure each time with the DIY build, that should be more than enough. It's a shame more people don't know about this. It's so freeing having a routine that is just as good, if not better than the gym, that takes much less time, with near zero risk of injury and was designed by Bruce-Lee!

Tanhoaon · Answer

Since I used to go to the gym and get trains for improving exercise performance about 6 months with someone know how to do properly (likely if you don’t have that person, seek for trainers.) I start to workout at home from 30-45 minutes everyday with just some dumbbells, bar and a bench, it’s up to you to do more than that with more reps (if it’s your goal instead of more weight, you can save money from buying more heavier weights in the future.)

However, so far, the gym gives me more motivation, meet more people with more tips to improve my performance, may even find some good men with a nice and helpful conservation that really help me in my daily life. I personally do it at home for some reasons, but going to the gym for me is not bad. The feeling is much better if you can find someone duel, help and take turn to workout with you.

Revvl6pro · Answer

Nope. Buy a few weights or exercise gadgets, and just save your money. I had a membership, and I noticed that most people just watched TV, or hung out at the juice bar and talked. But I'm sure they bragged to people that they work out three hours per day at the gym.

Fuentes · Answer

Lol you have to eat right too, you don't watch your calories as you stated over and over and won't diet for fast food, so again it's counter productive to work out and go to go eat abuncha fast food, and then wonder why nothing is happening. Doing a sport won't make you skinny unless you eat right. Age plays a big part as we get older it's harder to lose weight so again if you refuse to eat right the fat will not turn into muscle and the fat won't shake off.

If the 600 pound life can go to the gym, and lose weight why can't you do it without seeing it as a waste of your time what better stuff do you have to do? Lol

MoniqueTLC · Answer

Training, whether it's weightlifting or kickboxing will help improve your mental health as it will release the endorphins that make you feel good. So I'd go with B, you prefer it better to A, so it won't feel too much of a chore, and chances are you won't resent it so much. However, the cost is a bit more than just going to gym, so if you don't think it's worth it, go for A, but definitely incorporate training into your life.

JosyJosy · Answer

C, if it makes you unhappy, you're going to hate yourself for doing it or will quit either way.

RealMarek · Answer

I found high-intensity interval training to work like nothing else for shedding weight and gaining a better physique. If done right, it puts metabolism to work for hours after the workout.

BoobMan · Answer

If you hate the gym, get a bar and lift at home. Also, who is your worst enemy that you help by going to the gym? I didn't follow that part.

exitseven · Answer

I wonder if there is some physical reason that your body cannot improve by working out?

LiamJHayden · Answer

If you have the room at home, get some free weights. And if the weather permits, start walking.

melisaaa · Answer

You should hit the gym, and make yourself better. It is better to choose a gym which is not far from home

Iron_Man · Answer

Unless you’re interested in boxing and taking on fights, go to a weightlifting gym

JesseJayNeak · Answer

Kickboxing

Advice: Should I return to the gym in 2023? If so, which one should I go to?

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