Only in Toronto would it take 2 hours to get to the gym and back. In London, Ontario, I can get to the gym in 5-10 minutes. (Ten minutes would be in a snowstorm at rush hour.)  I can walk to work in 18 minutes, or drive in 4-6 minutes. The much, much shorter commute  is a major benefit of living in the hinterlands.  I can get to the opera or a restaurant in Toronto in 4 hours return, and still have 6 hours a week left over that I don't spend commuting, to do useful things.
Besides the time freed for more productive activities, there is the benefit of less exposure to air pollution while commuting.