That’s what video sticks and phones/cameras are used for.
For instance, it’s difficult to manage squatting a heavy weight, look at the mirror and make sure you’re hitting competitive depth and focusing or paying attention to form cues.
That’s why the mirrors are typically over in the dumbbell section in gyms.
But to each their own. Do what works for you.
You people have kind of inspired me to seek out a new gym, IF I can find one for not much money. I belonged to Lifetime Fitness for many years, and probably didn’t get my money’s worth, but I did go multiple times per week. Stopped during COVID, and it’s just too expensive for what I need ($199/month for individual). Now that I’m retired and have more time I play pickleball, ride bike, and walk a lot. BUT, I don’t do as much weight training or balance training as I should. I liked to keep to myself most of the time at the gym, but I found it motivating to have other people around me working on fitness too. I think I can get some discounts through my insurance company.
We also have senior centers in our county, and I could joint one for less than 100 bucks for the year. But the people I noticed working out there when I would go play pickleball were not very inspiring/motivating.
$200 a month? I think $50/month is high. Even my old gym was $100 per year for life - until it closed. Maybe that’s why, lol, though we did have a good 20 year run there.
FWIW my kids pay $40 a month for Golds in Arlington, though I’m guessing that’s not the vibe you’re looking for…
I know many of you are now age 65+, so I imagine some have medical plans with SilverSneakers or ActiveRenew benefits. Several of our friends take great advantage…. allowable to be member in YMCA and Rec Center and I think also private club. (I say “and” because one friend said he did all three. Not sure that would always work.)
I had a vision that after we retired, my husband and I would join a gym (with him older and qualifying for SilverSneaker). Sigh, with Covid coinciding with my Aug 2020 retirement that idea was not feasible. Alas, it turns out he has no interest in that. I am glad to say that last year he got an ebike and rides it a lot (with minimal assist, except on crazy hills etc). With lots of miles of trails and back roads near us, it’s easy for him to ride for 25 or 30 miles.
My work pays $30 a month if you go to a gym at least 8 times a month. Cost of my park district membership is $30 a month. Works out. One of my favorite parts of my gym is the steam room. I hit it every time I go.
Lost 1.8 lbs over the 3 weeks ending Saturday. I think the liquid calories got me in Cancun. Total loss 149.8lbs. 28 days until 1 year is up and 6.7lbs from goal.
Gyms of types around here can range from $15/month (PF) to $250/month +/- (e.g., Equinox, CrossFit). I’d say most of the “globo gyms” are in the $40-$60/month area.
I’m fortunate to have a lot of free gym memberships that come with my Medicare supplement. Different gyms appeal to my different needs.
One of the YMCA’s has the EGYM I mentioned above. Another is closer to home and has a pool but no sauna.
Another has a pool and a sauna, which makes for a great workout.
I also have memberships to two 24 hour gyms, which comes in handy.
So in any month I ended up going to 5 or 6 different places.
Wow that’s a lot! You can join them all through your supplement ?
Our gym is a “recreation club” that includes indoor and outdoor pools along with a fitness center. I think the fees work out to ~80/month a person.
My wife and I made it to gym together on Monday and are going again today 
Still at it with strength training (free weights). I got a new pair of 15 lb dumbbells as a holiday gift. I had progressed to the point that just about everything was doable with the 10lb set, except for triceps, where I’m still using 8lb. I am now working up to doing three sets of 12 reps of each of my various exercises with the 15lb set (excluding triceps, which I’m starting to use 10lbs for at least one set of reps). Shoulder presses are still too difficult to make it through even one entire set with 15, so I’ve been using the 10lbs for my first 2 sets and then on the last one, switching to 15 for 3-4 of the reps. The past year has taught me that my efforts will be rewarded with progress soon enough.
Cycling has been a challenge with the weather. I’ve only made it out twice since the new year, for a total of 44 miles, combined. I have set a goal to hit 2000 miles by year’s end, so once the weather starts cooperating, I’m going to have to dig myself out of a deficit.
Still walking, though I’ve relaxed my 10k daily target and now aim for 7500. Again, once the weather starts to warm up, I’m sure I’ll get out more, but for now it just isn’t enjoyable (it isn’t the cold as much as the constant wind we’ve had for weeks).
I, too, indulged in too many sweets over the holidays and seem to have a thicker waist line to show for it. I’ve put myself back on sweets time out, where I’m just avoiding added sugar as much as possible. Hoping to be back in fighting shape before our beach vacation in early March.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with using different weights for different exercises. That’s just natural progression of getting stronger in so many different muscles.
Without boring anyone with too much detail, tricep isolation exercises will seem more difficult (smaller muscle mass, opposing the bicep, fatigue easier, etc.). That’s also natural.
And 15 lb DB shoulder presses are awesome! They’re always hard, but they’re a tremendously valuable movement.
Keep up all the hard work!
So far so good for exercise this year. I’ve had to play pickleball inside most days (I play MWF), and other days I’ve either walked or done indoor riding (more walking than riding so far this year). I’m also trying to do weights, core and balance exercises more often.
Hopefully you can see this. I thought it was very interesting.
That is awesome! Those guys in the Jazzercize video cracked me up. I know Pumping Iron changed H’s life back in the 70s. I missed most of that myself, being just slightly younger. I took up “jogging” because the HS track coach recruited the swimmers.
This week has been amazing for my running. I’m not running in -15, so nothing dangerous. It’s been around 13-15* with windchills in the single digits for my runs. Monday I thought I was dragging and tired, until I looked at my watch at the end. My usual 65 min route took me 61 minutes. And yesterday I ran my route a couple of minutes faster.
Today was a steady hardish TM run, so I only did a 2 mile warm-up outside and then got on the TM. I did 5.2 miles in 40 min and I wouldn’t have called it hard. No real bargaining with myself to stay on. No fiddling with buttons. Just kept it at one pace and chugged along. Then 30 min on the bike, lifted some for legs, abs, and stretched. I feel amazing. My body just thrives in colder weather.
Kudos @ClassicMom98 ! I too, prefer running in colder rather than warmer weather.
When I used to run, I liked it cool (mid 40s) best of all. @ClassicMom98 I’m super impressed by your fortitude!
Asking the hive mind here for your favorite snacks that are high in protein and fiber and have no or very little (5g or less) added sugar. I’ve got three on repeat (greek yogurt with berries, sliced pear with peanut butter, hummus and carrots). Looking for some variety.
I am “bragging” about and laughing at my daughter in law here…
She rode her indoor bike 140 miles on Monday - yay her.
AND, you know why she did it? Because there is some competition she’s been part of, and if she bikes more than anyone else in a certain about of time, she will win… wait for it…
A stuffed animal!!!
She makes PLENTY of money to buy herself said stuffed animal, just for the record.
I guess you never know what will motivate someone. My Apple Watch kind of controls my life :).
In my own world, I played indoor pickleball today, and won every game I played. I just recently switched myself to play a higher level, but I changed myself back today to avoid a particular player. But, the fact that I won all my games is a good indication I really should be playing at the higher level.
I’ve been on a kick of dates, gently filled with peanut butter and then dipped in pumpkin seeds. One or two is all I need to be satisfied.
140?! Like how many hours was that?!