Okay, friends. I used to be a 100% "gym rat". But for the past year, I have been exclusively doing Beachbody DVD workouts in my living room. This morning, I had to go to the gym and boy do I have a comparison for you! In my opinion, while at the gym...
1. You have to know what you're doing (without a personal trainer)
2. You need to be a self-m otiv ator
3. You risk not having your machine available
1. You have to know what you're doing (without a personal trainer)
I started off on the treadmill because running is what I know best. I only had 30 minutes and over the past year I've learned that more results come from strength training than cardio. So I ran 2 miles and then decided to lift some weights. Needless to say, when I got off of the treadmill (2 miles in 18:30 - best ever!) I headed over to the dumbbell section.
I picked up some random 10 pound weights and started doing some lunges, squats, and arms raises - while randomly twisting my body, punching my arms, and doing whatever else I thought would get my muscles to flex. Then I went to a bosu ball and did some crunches. That was it.
Was it a good workout - sure! Was it the most effective use of my time - not really. I could have done different machines, different workouts and/or different paced exercises. The thing is, without a trainer telling me what to do I felt lost! I truly value each of the trainers that coach me daily in my living room. Especially Chalene Johnson and Shaun T. They enthusiastically tell me exactly what to do to see amazing results that I would never (and have never) see in the gym.
2. You need to be a self-motivator
The thing is...I could easily stop, switch, change my pace, and do what I wanted. No one was pushing me to do another rep, another set, or to push harder. I needed to truly motivate myself to commit to every exercise that I chose to the full intensity that it needed to be done at.
With the Beachbody DVDs, the trainer & other people working out in the videos are motivating you the entire time. The trainer is encouraging you while you're in a class-type setting working out, sweating, and pushing hard with others! Even though the trainers & classmates aren't in your living room with you, you feel their presence and energy & it makes you work harder!
3. You risk not having your machine available
As I mentioned above, I did not use any machines. Mostly because I didn't know how to use them! However I did see people that were wasting time WAITING to use a machine. Why would you want to waste your precious time standing and waiting for a machine when you could do everything you need with limited equipment at home? To me, that's a no brainer.
2. You need to be a self-m otiv ator
3. You risk not having your machine available
1. You have to know what you're doing (without a personal trainer)
I started off on the treadmill because running is what I know best. I only had 30 minutes and over the past year I've learned that more results come from strength training than cardio. So I ran 2 miles and then decided to lift some weights. Needless to say, when I got off of the treadmill (2 miles in 18:30 - best ever!) I headed over to the dumbbell section.
I picked up some random 10 pound weights and started doing some lunges, squats, and arms raises - while randomly twisting my body, punching my arms, and doing whatever else I thought would get my muscles to flex. Then I went to a bosu ball and did some crunches. That was it.
Was it a good workout - sure! Was it the most effective use of my time - not really. I could have done different machines, different workouts and/or different paced exercises. The thing is, without a trainer telling me what to do I felt lost! I truly value each of the trainers that coach me daily in my living room. Especially Chalene Johnson and Shaun T. They enthusiastically tell me exactly what to do to see amazing results that I would never (and have never) see in the gym.
2. You need to be a self-motivator
- When I was doing those crunches on the bosu ball, I stopped after 10 because they were a killer! I felt the burn and needed a break.
- When I was doing lunges with dumbbell twists, I did 8 on each side then switched exercises because I got bored.
- When I was doing deadlifts, I did 2 sets of 10 because I assumed that was a good amount.
The thing is...I could easily stop, switch, change my pace, and do what I wanted. No one was pushing me to do another rep, another set, or to push harder. I needed to truly motivate myself to commit to every exercise that I chose to the full intensity that it needed to be done at.
With the Beachbody DVDs, the trainer & other people working out in the videos are motivating you the entire time. The trainer is encouraging you while you're in a class-type setting working out, sweating, and pushing hard with others! Even though the trainers & classmates aren't in your living room with you, you feel their presence and energy & it makes you work harder!
3. You risk not having your machine available
As I mentioned above, I did not use any machines. Mostly because I didn't know how to use them! However I did see people that were wasting time WAITING to use a machine. Why would you want to waste your precious time standing and waiting for a machine when you could do everything you need with limited equipment at home? To me, that's a no brainer.
In conclusion...
I thought that I was going to miss the gym. I really did. Its a totally different environment that can be exhilarating and motivating! But after my trip back today, I can honestly say that I am so thankful that I started my journey with Beachbody DVDs. I feel more supported & am seeing 1000 times the results than I ever saw with my gym membership.
I'd love to hear your thoughts! Are you currently a gym rat? Are you looking for quick at-home workouts? Comment on this post or email me directly at [email protected]!
I'd love to hear your thoughts! Are you currently a gym rat? Are you looking for quick at-home workouts? Comment on this post or email me directly at [email protected]!