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Most people "going to the gym" at one point have to come to terms with that it's to some extent a waste of time. Yes, you get more fit, but that's about it. Beg

by uola 10y ago

Most people "going to the gym" at one point have to come to terms with that it's to some extent a waste of time. Yes, you get more fit, but that's about it. Begin able to combine getting fit with a hobby, making friends, having an experience or other things that make up for a balanced life usually provides more value.

stuxnet79 10y ago
> Most people "going to the gym" at one point have to come to terms with that it's to some extent a waste of time. This is precisely why I stopped going. Altogether I was spending probably 2 hours at the gym (this includes time spent commuting and showering). I wasn't seeing any substantial gains and was getting increasingly annoyed by how full the gym was and how I couldn't leisurely do my work-outs without somebody making me feel uncomfortable for occupying a certain machine. I wouldn't mind going back to the gym, but I would definitely have to avoid peak hours for it to be worthwhile. Best thing would be for me to buy the machines outright but my apartment is small and I don't have the space.
- allendoerfer 10y ago
  The problem is not that going to the gym is a waste of time, but what you did there and how you did it was.
  - stuxnet79 10y ago
    It wasn't a waste of time in the sense that I wasn't getting anything out of it (while I didn't sense the physical/aesthetic benefit, the psychological benefit was noticeable). Gym to me was a waste of time in the sense that it was preventing me from doing what I really needed to do (ramp up my technical skills during evenings). If I had a job that was fulfilling enough, paid good and had a reasonable pay/role progression I would definitely go to the gym. Going to the gym for 45 min and unwinding at home afterwards is fantastic. But I don't have that sort of luxury right now at my place in life. I need to strengthen my portfolio considerably.
    - nradov 10y ago
      False trade off. You will think more clearly, be more productive, and learn faster with a fit body.
allendoerfer 10y ago
You get fit, you can sleep better, it calms you down, you have a good time there, you accomplish something. Why is "going to the gym" not a hobby? There is plenty of different stuff you can do and focus on and switch to after something else becomes boring or to easy. I wouldn't say that other activities provide more value for a balanced life, I would argue, that going to the gym makes it easier to have a balanced life (focus on food, sleep, persistence, getting relaxed, reduced stress levels etc.).
- uola 10y ago
  I'm comparing to other fitness activities. Sure, you can have going to the gym as a hobby, but it's generally harder than biking, swimming, climbing, martial arts, team sports or other things that offer additional value of more visible progression, social interaction, making friends, traveling to new places etc.
w23j 10y ago
> Most people "going to the gym" at one point have to come to terms with that it's to some extent a waste of time. Parent divided people into those that don't do anything alone and those who do. A similar dichotomy is between those who enjoy exercise intrinsically and those who don't (who therefore do it for another reason, such as to be fit). Telling the first group that they are "wasting their time" makes as much sense (to them) as telling a violin player he is "wasting his time" playing the violin. People are different. To each his own.
- uola 10y ago
  Many people think it's worth it, especially in the beginning. Fewer can come to terms with the invested time when their progression slows done because of increased fitness, getting older and/or having more commitments. If you do something that is also an experience, continue to have visible progression and/or builds/maintains relationships with people it's easier to keep doing it for a long time. I would imagine it's the same if you play an instrument and would be far more likely to continue practicing if you're in some sort of band.

by uola 10y ago

stuxnet79 10y ago

> Most people "going to the gym" at one point have to come to terms with that it's to some extent a waste of time. This is precisely why I stopped going. Altogether I was spending probably 2 hours at the gym (this includes time spent commuting and showering). I wasn't seeing any substantial gains and was getting increasingly annoyed by how full the gym was and how I couldn't leisurely do my work-outs without somebody making me feel uncomfortable for occupying a certain machine. I wouldn't mind going back to the gym, but I would definitely have to avoid peak hours for it to be worthwhile. Best thing would be for me to buy the machines outright but my apartment is small and I don't have the space.

allendoerfer 10y ago
The problem is not that going to the gym is a waste of time, but what you did there and how you did it was.
- stuxnet79 10y ago
  It wasn't a waste of time in the sense that I wasn't getting anything out of it (while I didn't sense the physical/aesthetic benefit, the psychological benefit was noticeable). Gym to me was a waste of time in the sense that it was preventing me from doing what I really needed to do (ramp up my technical skills during evenings). If I had a job that was fulfilling enough, paid good and had a reasonable pay/role progression I would definitely go to the gym. Going to the gym for 45 min and unwinding at home afterwards is fantastic. But I don't have that sort of luxury right now at my place in life. I need to strengthen my portfolio considerably.
  - nradov 10y ago
    False trade off. You will think more clearly, be more productive, and learn faster with a fit body.

allendoerfer 10y ago

You get fit, you can sleep better, it calms you down, you have a good time there, you accomplish something. Why is "going to the gym" not a hobby? There is plenty of different stuff you can do and focus on and switch to after something else becomes boring or to easy. I wouldn't say that other activities provide more value for a balanced life, I would argue, that going to the gym makes it easier to have a balanced life (focus on food, sleep, persistence, getting relaxed, reduced stress levels etc.).

uola 10y ago
I'm comparing to other fitness activities. Sure, you can have going to the gym as a hobby, but it's generally harder than biking, swimming, climbing, martial arts, team sports or other things that offer additional value of more visible progression, social interaction, making friends, traveling to new places etc.

w23j 10y ago

> Most people "going to the gym" at one point have to come to terms with that it's to some extent a waste of time. Parent divided people into those that don't do anything alone and those who do. A similar dichotomy is between those who enjoy exercise intrinsically and those who don't (who therefore do it for another reason, such as to be fit). Telling the first group that they are "wasting their time" makes as much sense (to them) as telling a violin player he is "wasting his time" playing the violin. People are different. To each his own.

uola 10y ago
Many people think it's worth it, especially in the beginning. Fewer can come to terms with the invested time when their progression slows done because of increased fitness, getting older and/or having more commitments. If you do something that is also an experience, continue to have visible progression and/or builds/maintains relationships with people it's easier to keep doing it for a long time. I would imagine it's the same if you play an instrument and would be far more likely to continue practicing if you're in some sort of band.