Some of you know that I'm a big workout freak (secret obession ) - anyways I have 2 questions in regards to this and saving money. I'm thinking of the rising gas prices and the drive there, which is about 15 minutes away.

1) I am registered for the next session of Boot Camp at my YMCA (I took the first one that ended about 2 months ago). It costs $150 for the entire 7 week session - you get 3 workouts a week and a nutritionist working with you on your diet. So I'm starting to wonder if I should cancel and get my money back. I am feeling guilty.

2) We have our membership to the YMCA which costs $62/mo -- I'm starting to wonder if we should cancel this and I can run/walk/ride my bike around here and then on strength training days, just invest in a few heavier dumbbells.

We are not strapped but I'm just trying to think of ways to cut out monthly expenses. My dh is also concerned if we cut out the Y that I will lose all motivation and end up gaining some or all of my weight back.

What to do???????

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Been there, done that! We had a Y membership that was $85 a month. Dh and I used it a lot and we used the pool and dh plays a lot of competitive tennis so he was there on the courts several times a week. When we moved 2.5 years ago we moved into a swim/tennis neighborhood. We dropped our Y membership since we had to spend a lot on the neighborhood club and it was right down the street from our house. We had space in our house for a workout room and we invested in good equipment for a home gym. The first year we used it a lot but then we got sick of it. This Jan. we made the decision to join an adult gym (they had an amazing new years special going on). We are both enjoying it very much. I still do the bulk of my cardio at home or outside, but I do all my weight training at the gym. I typically go twice a week. Dh can go during lunch and it is only a couple of blocks from his office so it is very convenient for him and his workouts don't take time away from the kids in the evening which has beeng great.

I think it is hard to do it all at home. I like a mix. I like to actually park my car, go inside with no children in tow, and put my headphones on and do my thing. I think that you could probably skip the boot camp (you have already done it and you know what they will be doing) but I think you should keep the Y membership. You are worth it.

well for us we inevested in a good eliptical machine and weight set in january plus we have bikes and now that the weather is nice are walking.. i don't think you have to belong to a gym it was cheaper for us to spend the 1800 bucks and get good equiptment then it was to join a gym(we would have to drive 30 min to get to the nearest one) so over a few years time we will have saved the gas money time and membership fees. i think you just have to make up your mind to be frugal about would i rather go to gym sure would but i can't justify the cost versus doing it at home.

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fALL SEVEN TIMES STAND UP EIGHT!

You're not strapped and this is something you're using, so I would say keep at it and more power to you!

Where I think gyms are wastes is when people keep up the membership because they keep promising themselves they'll get back into it, but they don't, or they only go once a month. But if you're using it, to me it would only make sense to cut it out if you really needed that money for something else.

The boot camp sounds like it's something important and motivating to you. If you can afford it, I would not feel guilty about it. If you think that money is best spent on something else, then obviously that's another issue.

Your health IS an important investment. I personally am not a gym person--I like exercising in other ways--but if that's what works for you, then it's better to spend money there than not exercise at all.

(Provided, of course, you're not strapped!)

If you cut out the Y Replace it with Something. Believing that you can do it on your own and actually doing it are two different things. Yes there are other programs out there does your city parks and rec offer anything. I am in a group on line Hot Mommies Fun and Fitness group through Meetup.com. I just got back from walking 4 miles with them and it didn't cost me anything. So yes if you need to cut it there are other options but at the same time if its working then stick with it.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

I'm a bit of a fitness buff too...Have to admit I think I came up with a solution.

In my case I loooove yoga. So, I got my certificate to teach! It's not a bad investment, considering that now I get paid to be at class! --And no, it's not my full time job--it just replaces the classes I would have been taking anyway!

I guess my point is this--can you get paid for doing what you love instead of paying to do it? You might be surprised.

I have considered pursuing getting certified as a personal trainer but that would cost at least $700 upfront. I need to figure it out and just do it!

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It really depends on your personal style of working out. If you do the same thing (like the elliptical, treadmill, stairstepper, etc) every workout, it makes more sense to buy one yourself, because it will pay for itself over the long term. But, if you are like me and get bored easily, you should keep the gym membership, because they have a lot more classes and equipment than you could buy at home. You might want to re-think that special $150 class that you signed up for, though, if you are feeling guilty about the money.

It depends on what you like to do. I LOVE to work out. However for me to get to the "free" gyms takes 20 minutes + gas. Our neighborhood gym is $45 a month plus a $300 initiation fee.

I own a bike = cardiovascular. I was gifted a FIRM bench and some DVD's. Added to my collection via Ebay. Also started picking up weights at yard sales and finally got a nice bench on clearance at our local sports store (floor models are DEEPLY discounted.)

For Christmas last year - my husband and I purchased a treadmill. We bought one on sale and then asked for a discount because it was a floor model. Got it for $600 and it's fantastic.

My garage is my gym - it's open 24/7 and I get to pick the TV shows and music! I even offer my girlfriends a chance to come over and use my equipment. So in my mind - it was a low cost investment - far cheaper than a year at our local gym.