Saturday, June 13, 2009

Get fit for Free (or at least cheap)

Hi Winners,
Going back to what we talked this week at the meeting, it doesn't have to cost you anything to be fit. Here is a reminder of what we talked at the meeting.

  • Take a walk.

According to walkinginfo.org, the average cost of operating a car for one year is approximately $7,834. Walking is free. You should invest in a good pair of walking shoes, but other than that you can do it anywhere and it doesn't cost a dime.
Ride a Bike. As adults, people pay for spinning classes, stationary bikes or even expensive road and mountain bikes. The cost of operating a bicycle for a year is only about $120. Compare that to the cost of operating a car, and you’ll see an annual savings of $7,714. (bicycling really works the glutes too!)


  • Buddy up.

Many people wish they could learn from and work with a personal trainer; unfortunately, the cost can be prohibitive. Instead of spending $50 or more per session, split the cost with a friend and work out together saving $1,300 or more. How about buying a couple of videos and swapping with your friends? You can also check them out from the library.


  • Be your own equipment.

All strength training takes is a little weight to create resistance. Since resistance equipment can cost anywhere from $10 to $10,000, why not use the weight of your own body instead? Doing push-ups, sit ups, chin-ups and the straight arm hang are easy ways to work out using your own body weight.

  • Watch TV or use E-tools or the Internet.

Fitness classes can cost up to $1,200 per year, but some of us have private, in-home classes waiting for us 24/7, right on our TVs and computers.

  • Be your own gardener.

Working on your yard or cleaning up your neighborhood can be great for endurance and upper body definition. Yard work can earn you activity points values and save up to $1,800 a year when compared to the cost of hiring someone to do the yard work for you.

  • Clean up the clutter.

Housekeeping can earn you activity points values, too. And when you’re not hiring somebody else to do the cleaning for you, you’re saving thousands of dollars.

  • Make your gym work for you.

The costs of gym memberships vary widely with prices ranging from free to $1,200 per year. One of the suggestions this week was to do a trial "week, or day" at each gym. You can get at least a couple week's work out from that and get an idea if you really want to join.

No matter what activity you choose, having a specific goal in mind is motivating. Write down a fitness goal that you can do, is specific, measurable and fun.


Product or Service Low End High End
Gym membership (per year) $300 $1,200
Personal trainer (per hour) $ 30 $ 200
Treadmill $300 $3,500
Stationary bike $200 $1,800
New road or mountain bike $300 $3,000
Dumbbells (up to 10 lbs) $ 5 $ 50
Home gym $200 $6,000
Cardio or spinning classes (per class)$ 5 $ 20
Dance classes (per month) $ 25 $ 100

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