Questions re: Gym membership and/or excercise in general...

Right then, due to things going off in my personal life that I'd really rather not get into, I've taken the decision to do something about the way I've been feeling.

Basically, my emotions and thoughts are one that I would associate with someone that has mild-severe depression. I'm not a fan of anti-depressants etc, so if possible, I'd like to start sorting my head out myself (call it male pride if you like), before any problems develop (unless they already have & I'm denying it to myself, but anyway).

The thought that randomly popped into my head was an increase of endorphins would help, and that means exercise. This was shortly followed by the "but that takes effort" type thoughts that accompany depression, but from talking to a friend, he's keen to start going to a gym too for his own reasons not that dissimilar to mine.

So, to the questions... I'm aware some of the .Org work in gym's etc, so what type of exercise would folks recommend? What am I looking for in a "good gym?" Anything else you can recommend?

Please note, my main reason for wanting exercise is to alleviate mental issues, but should I bulk up a little, that's a bonus - though nothing I'm going to actively seek as yet.

I'm aware I could go for a run down the road etc, but realistically, that'd last about an hour before I jacked it in as being too much effort. I'm thinking if I can jump in & get committed to something like gym membership soon, I've more of a chance of sticking at it.

As always, constructive comments welcome, mickey taking expected (we are the .Org afterall ).

EDIT: Could a mod please sort the title for me, commas are supposed to be 'm's and drop the c in "excercise" please. TYVM.

I've always done the martial arts route, rather than the gym.
In a decent club you get the exercise and get to hit something

[DarrenSV650S]

I'm in a similar position to you- depression etc. and have decided to get fit and get rid of the belly. But the gym is too expensive for me, so I've decided to start running. But due to money/loosing my job etc it's been put on hold for now.

Go to a boxing gym..
Preferibly get someone to go with you..
Great exercise, relieves fustration, will get you in excellent shape quite quickly.
You dont have to spar/start doing fights if you dont want to, alot of the guys i used to box with do it only for the training.
May not bulk you up as much as going to the gym, but will get you very toned and physically fit.
If you do choose to go in the ring for some sparring-Warning: Its Very addictive..

[dizzyblonde]

I'm thinking of getting a wii fit after xmas, being the mad depressive at the mo. Gym membership not for me, running down the road defo not me with all the dodgy limbs, even walking the dogs at the moment is an effort and it doesn't alleviate anything. So after laughing my head off at my mates house the other week, after embarrassing myself doing the hoolahoop thing on her wii fit, I decided it would be good for me. Being a little on the agorophobic side it would be perfect.

No making a fool of myself in a gym, and it would be good for Im Indoors to get a little gentle balancing excersises in for his hip too. And the little lad would love it of course

has this only started with the onset of winter? never underestimate the importance of nutrition, seriously get some good quality vitamin D3 most people are defficient all year round as they dont get exposure to sun with working indoors etc, and when it comes to winter the body just doesnt have enough of the stuff hence why people get winter blues and become more subceptible to colds/flue.. Definately something to try baph can only help things, obviously exercise helps but you dont need expensive gyms for that walking/biking outdoors is better as its fresh air... Hope you feel better soon mate...

Originally Posted by slark01

I've always done the martial arts route, rather than the gym.
In a decent club you get the exercise and get to hit something

Good thought, something I hadn't really considered. I've done martial arts in the past & feel the focus side of things may help.

One of the guys in the office teaches karate when he's not working, so thats an avenue to explore.

Originally Posted by DarrenSV650S

But the gym is too expensive for me, so I've decided to start running.

The expense side of things is touch & go with me too, but I'm fortunate that I get decent discounts on all sorts of random things due to work. This includes gym memberships.

Originally Posted by saoralba

Go to a boxing gym..
Preferibly get someone to go with you..
Great exercise, relieves fustration, will get you in excellent shape quite quickly.
You dont have to spar/start doing fights if you dont want to, alot of the guys i used to box with do it only for the training.
May not bulk you up as much as going to the gym, but will get you very toned and physically fit.
If you do choose to go in the ring for some sparring-Warning: Its Very addictive..

Another good thought, and something I know nothing about (so can take my mind off things by researching). Sparing/fighting may not be good for the root cause of all of this, but as you said, thats an option not mandatory.

Originally Posted by mototech

has this only started with the onset of winter? never underestimate the importance of nutrition, seriously get some good quality vitamin D3

Tablets mean remembering to take them. As for the length of time I've been feeling like this, my immediate thoughts are that it's only been very recently. But if I'm being honest it's been a downward spiral for probably the last few years now. It's only today that I realised what's been going on in my head, so decided to act.

I always used to find running was a good way of clearing my head. Put the stereo on a just pound the streets. Without the stereo I found my troubled thoughts just bounced around in my head whilst running and solved nothing. Although I was still getting fitter. Did the same this evening. Started to get depressed about 'stuff'. Went out for a 5 mile run. Felt much better by the time I was back in.

go to a lap dancing club, it gets your heart rate going but its not all that much effort. . . . and its cheaper than a gym membership

Whatever you do, if you do join a gym don't lose your membership card.

I went twice in my first month (7 month contract) lost my card and haven't gone back yet.

Yes I'm lazy.