Should i join a gym, or buy weights and a bench?

[Surf]

I'm taking weights to put on a bit of muscle for other sports.

Basically, the way i see it is if i go to the gym, i would have more variety of weights and equipment, people who know what they are doing to help me and it would get me out of the house and have a bit of a social component.

Or if i bought weights, i could do the exercises at home without being self conscious of people looking and i can workout easily whenever i want.

I would appreciate any thoughts based on experience.

[deutschtrombone]

I think you should start at the gym first to get a feel for all of the equipment. This way, experienced weight lifters can help you out initially, and you can find out which types of weights and equipment you like. If you get really into working out with them after a couple months, you could buy weights for yourself.

[Thomas]

Join a gym, once youre there you dont get distracted, and I find that if you have weights in youre house you dont bother doing it

[Robert]

Join a gym.

[Winston]

I'd say go to the gym, for the reasons you specified: more variety of weights and equipment. Also, people there will spot you when you need it, so it's added safety. Going to the gym, you can also meet people, I suppose, rather than being cooped up at home. So I'd say definitely go to the gym, but if you're feeling self-conscious, there's nothing wrong with setting up weights at home, you just wouldn't have the variety.

[Cathy]

buy equipments. then u can exericise whenever u are home.