Training

Should I go to gym?

lynnxAug 23, 7:58 AM

I'm currently doing Nick-E's BWF Primer routine, and I've been at it for a month. I can't do standard push-ups yet, so I'm doing incline push-ups instead. Also I don't really have a good setup at home for rows. I've been using door handles, but for the next progression I have no idea what I could use. I only have one chair at home. Another thing that's been bothering me is that I can do 3×12 incline push-ups on one surface, but when I move to the next lower surface (from the kitchen counter to my desk), I can't even do a single rep. Would it make sense to join a gym so I can adjust the incline more gradually, or should I just keep increasing my reps on the current surface (maybe from 12 to 15–17 reps) before trying the lower surface again? I'm aware that people usually don't recommend doing more than 12 reps. If neither option is ideal, what would you recommend? The closest gym is an 8-minute walk from home and it just opened in April. I was actually thinking about joining when they had their big grand-opening discount, but I have trouble starting new things. Just thinking about having to leave the house and walk to the gym makes it harder for me to stick with it. I'm making progress with my current routine, but I'm worried that joining a gym might disrupt the consistency I've managed to build so far. TIA.

12 replies

francheskafit·Aug 24, 7:38 PM
8 minutes is a perfect brisk walk! You got this! Go get a membership today! You won’t regret it :)
brilliant_search4025·Aug 24, 8:07 PM
The four block walk to the gym can serve as your warm up, and the four block walk back home can be your cool down. Add 15 minutes of work at the gym and you're all set. Do this 1x/week, then build to 2x/week, and eventually get up to 3x/week.
fair_guitar2117·Aug 24, 8:19 PM
If you can afford it and have access to one, yes — a gym gives you equipment variety and heavier progressive overload options that bodyweight training alone struggles to match past intermediate level. That said, bodyweight training can take you very far if you do it consistently and progress systematically. The real question is what your goals are. Strength and size over time generally benefits from a gym. General fitness, mobility, and athleticism? Bodyweight handles it well. If you are on the fence, try a month trial at a gym and see if you enjoy it — enjoyment is the biggest predictor of consistency.
music_lover·Aug 24, 8:24 PM
Increasing the reps might help but it depends on your overall volume. Too many reps won't do much for increasing strength. You can try working with eccentric reps with the lower surface level. Eventually you'll be able to do normal reps. For rows though you need something. Door handles won't be enough and a gym sounds like a better option for that. Maybe you can install a pullup bar at the doorframe and use rings for rows? I used to workout like that.
lynnx_2·Aug 24, 9:39 PM
Thank you for the explanation. When I wrote the post, I was only thinking about whether going to the gym would help me better with my push-ups and rows. Are you saying that if I join a gym, I should make full use of it and start lifting weights instead of sticking exclusively to bodyweight training? Nick-E mentioned on his website that because of the limitations of bodyweight fitness most people eventually need to add weight, switch to gymnastics-style training, or use a gym if they want to keep progressing. My original plan was to wait until I reached an intermediate level of bodyweight fitness before thinking about adding weights and going to gyms. I chose bodyweight fitness because I thought it meant I could train anywhere, anytime. But it turns out I still need a mat for exercises like dead bugs and bird dogs, and some kind of setup for rows and pull-ups is basically unavoidable. The gym is running another promotion right now. They only charge for the days you use it in June,
lynnx_3·Aug 24, 10:08 PM
Thank you for the encouragement! I actually like walking. I can walk for two hours straight if I'm in the mood. But making the gym a habit is a different story. I'm afraid I'll skip one day and then never go back again.
anivaries·Aug 26, 3:18 AM
In a month from today, you will be happy you started going to the gym a month ago. Also, if you are going alone, for the first time, don't be intimidated because everyone is happy to help and noone is judging so just ask anyone for an advice. I had to ask for some most basic stuff how to do and if my form is correct
lynnx_4·Aug 26, 3:57 PM
Thank you for the advice. I’m not nervous or anything I’m just wondering if it’s necessary to go to gym. Well at this point it does seem necessary. I just feel tired I need to learn new exercises new techniques new everything again like when I started bodyweight training a month ago.
francheskafit_2·Aug 26, 5:38 PM
It’s okay if you skip a day! It’s not about perfection :) it’s about the journey!
isle709·Aug 26, 6:07 PM
Gym is great if you can afford it. Rings are great for a portable outdoor option.
different_shape557_2·Aug 26, 6:34 PM
Some people including myself prefer to train at home. So its up to you so you don't have to go to gym, as you said you are doing bodyweight exercises so you don't need almost any training equipments you can get a lot stronger and better in any exercises training only at home all you need the right mindset.
spirited_revenue_4_2·Aug 27, 3:11 AM
If home consistency is working, you do not need to disrupt it unless the gym solves a specific problem. For incline pushups, building to 3x15-20 on the higher surface before dropping height is fine, and rows are the main thing a gym would make easier to scale. Track the surface height, reps, and row variation so progression is clear. I'd track the progression in an app like GymSet. A practical compromise is keeping the home plan and using the gym for pulling 1-2 times weekly.

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