In my opinion, weightlifting is the ultimate stress reliever. Theres nothing like going out into the garage (i call it the temple of iron) and blasting my heaviest metal/rock music as loud as possible and throwing around big masses of iron. when im in the gym, i can release all of my anger into that lump of weight, no matter how your day was or is going, there's always release in the weight room.
Out there, you dont have to worry about being judged by ANYONE but yourself. you are free to sweat your butt off and not worry about who it offends, who thinks its nasty, or so on and so fourth... thats one of the main reasons I lift in a garage and not a real gym-- the gyms of today are filled with nothing but skinny, crybabies who know nothing about real work.
I recently read an article about some chains of gyms in the US having stupid rules against grunting!!!! GRUNTING!!! I couldnt believe my eyes!!! grunting!!! Let me be the first to say, if your not making some sort of grunting sound or heavy breathing, then YOUR NOT WORKING HARD ENOUGH!!!!!!!!
What is hard work you ask??? hard work is busting your butt EVERY time you step in front of the rack... grinding out every rep till the edge of pain.... killing yourself over the most minute detalis of a lift -- thats what makes a real man.... a real hardworker shows up EVERY time and then some. when a guts out session calls, they are the first in line with buckets in hand! -- just askin for more punishment... thats what we do.
In short, the gym is a sort of sanctuary for those of us who crave the iron and the pain that accompanies it, its a place of mental realease... where you can work things out mentally and realease anger and fear and pain and anyother feeling that fuels you in the weightroom. If you put that much passion and feeling and emotion into every lift, then afterwards, after the workouts, after all of the pain... you will feel SO refreshed and most of all STRONG mentally and physically, then you realize just how great it is to be alive and well and you enjoy the great things in life with that much more passion and strength.

I hear ya man. I just started working out about 2 months ago. I figured.. instead of wasting money buying a gym pass.. why not just buy a weightset for my room?

Every other day I bust out the ipod and pump some irons, in the comfort of my own room

You guys know what you're talking! I couldn't agree more Chris! Working out is certainly the ultimate stress reliever! You cannot imagine how much relieved and mentally satisfied I would be when working out at the gym next to my house eventhough I'd be feeling so much physical pain as I lift some iron! But hey... all that pain is negligible compared to my mental satisfaction! Moreover, it is a great pleasure to watch your muscles go bigger and ripped, and your body getting in great shape week after week! This certainly boosts your self confidence and self esteem because you know you are strong AND looking good as well . I really cannot imagine my life without working out now. It's been a year and 2 months since I've started and my body has changed completely! I lost too much fat and gained too much muscle. Now everytime I finish my workout session, and after I take my shower, I'd be waiting patiently for the next day just so that I could go back to the gym and bust some weights! Seriously man, how could people even live without working out! Working out should be an essential part of every person's life, there should be no doubt about that!

Train hard guys, and enjoy the relief, self confidence and satisfaction of working out