Frugal Fitness
Cut corners on your costs, not your workout.
When the only thing getting a workout at your gym is your credit card, it's time to throw in the towel.
We all know the benefits of staying in shape: fewer health problems, better moods and more energy. But just because your waist is shrinking doesn't mean your bank account should follow. Fortunately, there are ways to cut both costs and your cholesterol level.
There are many things people can do to stay in shape on a budget, says Dr. John Spencer Ellis, chief executive and founder of the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association and the Get America Fit Foundation. "Swim in your community pool, hike, go to a park and do push ups on a bench, run. It doesn't cost a lot of money."
In Pictures: 10 Ways To Get In Shape For Less
All you really need to stay in shape is a good pair of shoes and the great outdoors. A pair of New Balance MX608 running shoes on the discount site Overstock.com is priced at just $44.64.
TriActive America, of San Luis Obispo, Calif., makes outdoor exercise and fitness equipment for cities or companies to use in public spaces, such as parks. If you want a free outdoor workout with structure, TriActive has gyms throughout the U.S. and around the world. Each piece of equipment is installed with directions for use and technique tips. To find a gym near you, visit the TriActive Web site.
For those who prefer the hands-on assistance of a personal trainer, MyYogaOnline.com offers a subscription-based fitness Web site based in Vancouver, Canada. A $9.95 monthly membership gives you access to over 250 yoga, Pilates and meditation classes ranging from three minutes to 90 minutes. You can download them to a computer or iPod or stream them from the site. Non-members can download individual sessions for $1.99 to $9.99 per video.
"You can practice at home, at work," says Michelle Trantina, co-founder of MyYogaOnline.com. "It's great for business travelers."
Sites like DemandFitness.com offer more conventional workouts, like step classes, for $100 a year.
For those who insist on real-life assistance, consider joining a group workout session, which can cost less than half as much as individual classes. Or split the cost of a "private" session with a friend.
Another option is to ask your employer for help. Around two-thirds of companies devote money to wellness programming other than health care plans, according to Glen Gunderson, vice president of business development at Life Time Fitness, an organization that works with corporate employees on developing healthy lifestyles. Employee support typically includes gym memberships, free classes or risk assessments. If your company doesn't offer health options, ask a human resources director to consider these programs.
Top 5 Ways to Get in Shape for Less:
- Steer clear of expensive gear
- Negotiate with your gym
- TV workouts
- Use your health insurance
- The world is your gym
In Pictures: Find more ways to get in shape for less
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A cheap way to work out? I have a secret. A lot of home fitness equipment and dvds find their way to a dusty shelf or become a clothes rack because of impulsive buying. If you have any of this stuff laying around please donate it to your local thrift store where a frugal miser like me can pick them up cheap. I have seen all types of expensive equipment in thrift stores in all kinds of condition. Some are overused and broken. Most have some miles on them but are intact. Some are brand new and still in the box. As far as dvds and video workouts? Plenty. I got Power90 dvds for 2 bucks each. I liked the product so I purchased P90x from the web site. 3 weeks ago I found Chalene Extreme in a thrift store in the complete set for 4 bucks! Normally costs over 100 bucks.(I stick to buying Beach Body stuff now that I am a member) Why buy brand new stuff to get sweaty in. Thrift stores have all the workout clothes I will need. I pass on a lot of stuff I find like a brand new never used Fluidity Bar for $35, ab lounger for $20, Olympic weights 300lbs for $100 (where will I put them?), Tae Bo dvds $2 each, VHS stuff outdated from the 90's for $1 ea. If I buy some thing and don't use it I don't feel like I wasted a lot of money.
If you want to lose weight one of the first things that you should eliminate from your diet is soft drinks. Depending on the size of the soda that you are drinking the calories per servings can range from 100-300 calories and the sugar content can range between 8-12 teaspoons.
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Although I do highly recommend bargain shopping for your running shoes, I think that not even the occasional runner would suggest just logging on and purchasing a pair of shoes. A specialty running store can assess your stride, tread wear, and appropriate size in order to place you in the necessary running shoe. All you need is to place somebody with a low arch and excessive pronation in a cushioning shoe built for somebody with a high arch and the podiatry bills will far exceed the cost of the right shoes. Bargain shop? Yes, by all means get the best deal on what you require, but don’t go pushing one model to all types of runners. By the way, the author calls the NB MX608 a running shoe, which it is not. It is a cross training shoe intended for general fitness and not intended for logging excessive miles.
Wii has a game called "My Fitness Coach." The game asks you for your measurements, age, and other normal things. It also asks you what equipment you own, and the trainer will incorporate these into the workout. You schedule times to work out and can choose from workouts like Yoga or Cardio.
The game does not require the Wii board that "Wii Fitness" does and the trainer will ask you after each workout if it was too hard or easy, and will adjust for the next workout. It sets a plan for your workouts based on criteria you set, like what your goal weight is and how long you have to achieve it.
It's a great game, especially since you can use your own equipment. You do have to have a Wii though. For EA Sports Active you need a Wii board but the look is nice.
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MSN Health & Fitness does not provide medical or any other health care advice, diagnosis or treatment.
