[quote=bearishgurl][quote=Allan from Fallbrook] . . . go for an hour walk everyday. That’s what I do and, in conjunction with a good diet, I maintain my ideal body weight. You don’t need a gym to do this. If you work an office job, go for a walk at lunch (I used to do this during my corporate days). It clears your head and relieves a great deal of stress at the same time.
Plenty of ways to go.[/quote]
Allan, I used to walk a lot around the neighborhood in the eves. I still walk my dog short distances. Even though I felt fine, the results weren’t there. For the average Joe or Jane, the plethora of free weights, circuit-training machines and classes (+ “free” utilities running the pool and jacuzzi) can’t be had anywhere but a gym. Most people don’t have storage room for all that equipment (even if they could afford to buy it) and don’t have the expertise to do a yoga class (for example) by themselves.
A gym membership is a GREAT VALUE, but only if you use it regularly.[/quote]
BG: No disagreement from me whatsoever. If you have the time and access, a gym is excellent, especially in that it allows you to develop and execute a full program.
My point to Brian was this: If you don’t have the time and access, you DON’T need a gym in order to exercise (meaning, you don’t have any excuses for not going for a walk, or a jog, or even jumping rope in your backyard).
I hear constant griping from people about not having time to go to the gym, or not finding time to go for a walk. Generally these are the same people that have more than enough time to sit on their ass after work and watch TV for four hours.
