Jul 26 2008
Frugal Health Tips
It never ceases to amaze me how many people waste money on gym memberships when they are entirely unnecessary unless you are training for a bodybuilding competition - which I, for the record, am most decidedly not doing. Still, with my 36th birthday less than a month away I do like to get some exercise to keep myself reasonably in shape.
Here are a few frugal ways you can exercise without spending a dime:
1. Replace those little hand weights with items from the kitchen. Large canned goods are not only heavy enough to give you the weight you need, but their size and shape will also help to build the strength in your hands and wrists while you work out. For the die hard, a couple of gallon sized milk jugs filled with water (use a bathroom scale to get them to an exact weight if you so desire) should meet your needs adequately.
2. Do you really need a treadmill in front of a television to get your walking done? Get outside and enjoy a little fresh air and possibly some sunshine instead of holding on to those slippery black handles while you sip your vanity water. Consider taking a hike in the woods or just a brisk stroll around the neighborhood.
3. Nothing beats good old push ups and sit ups for building the upper body, and side bends will work wonders on those love handles without an expensive and unnecessary machine.
I hear ya but I like the gym too. I am an avid swimmer so a clean pool is essential. The boy candy is the gym is a nice perk too.
I just started last week on doign situps and push ups in the morning before work and it makes me feel better about myself during the day. It gives me a sense of acomplishment.
I disagree that the only reason to have a gym membership is if you are in training for a body-building contest, because gyms can also have pools, saunas, and various classes like martial arts and yoga. Of course, there are other options for each of those, and it could be more frugal to get a yoga DVD and have a pay-as-you-go pool membership! My issue with the gym is that you have to pay for the periods when you don’t use it - holidays, periods when you’re sick, and of course, periods when you’re just too lazy.
I liked your suggestions, and will recommend them to some of my friends. I will continue to use the gym myself, because I can get something from the gym that I can’t get on my own: motion control. I use the machines at the gym to exercise my leg muscles and back: my movement is too uncoordinated to do those kinds of exercise without something to limit my movement.
Good one, CF!