Shape Up on the Cheap
Fitness: Simple, inexpensive tools are all you need to stay in shape
By Jill Barker, For Canwest News ServiceMarch 19, 2009
In this economy, many people are looking for ways to save a few bucks. For some, that means evaluating the cost of staying in shape and deciding on whether a pricey fitness membership is a luxury or a necessity.
Before you downsize your exercise commitments, consider the economic consequences of being a couch potato. According to a 2004 article in the Canadian Journal of Exercise Physiology, $5.3 billion (2.6% of total Canadian heath care costs) were directly attributable to physical inactivity in 2001. In that same year, obesity cost Canadians $4.3 billion.
The article also said that seven chronic diseases have consistently been shown to be associated with physical inactivity, including coronary artery disease, stroke, hypertension, colon cancer, breast cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis.
So, if it’s too pricey to join the fitness club, what are thrifty Canadians expected to do for exercise?
To help you trim down your budget, here are some tips on how to work out on the cheap.
Build a cheap home gym. If you have to let your gym membership lapse, set yourself up at home for a fraction of the cost. And while you can’t replicate everything at the gym, a fitness ball ($20 to $40), dumbbells (about $3 a pound/half kilogram), exercise tubing ($20 a tube) and mat ($40) can get the job done.
You’ll need some instruction and motivation to go along with the equipment, so invest in a couple of exercise videos. Most music stores have an exercise video section that features both aerobic fitness and weight training videos.
Or, you can rent from your local video store, which besides being cheaper, allows you to try several videos until you find one that suits your level of fitness and interest.
If you’re not sure which video to buy, look for reviews on the web. Visit www.videofitness.com/reviews for a comprehensive list of reviews.
Be careful, however, as most reviewers have no fitness backgrounds: don’t mistake enthusiasm for endorsement. Instead, use the comments to help you get a sense of the video content and the kind of workout offered.
Buy second-hand equipment. If you want to do a bit better than the basic home gym outlined above, it’s possible to buy a quality piece of equipment without breaking the bank. Spring is the best time of the year to get a deal on new fitness equipment, so visit your local retailer and check out the bargains.
If new is still out of your price range, consider the second-hand market. Browse the classified ads online (Craigslist, Kijiji) and in most major newspapers for sellers looking to unload their underused treadmills, stationary bikes and weight training equipment or look for retailers who deal in gently used fitness equipment.
If you spot something that piques your interest, take note of the machine’s specs and research the product before following up with a phone call. Keep in mind that most home-based products have a distinctly different feel than their commercial counterparts. If you are used to the size and stability of the equipment in your fitness club, be prepared for a marked difference in quality and durability when you test drive a fitness machine made for home use.
That being said, remember it’s the engine not the equipment that counts, so if the price is right and the equipment is in good shape (it shouldn’t shake, rattle or have parts that stick), then it may be an inexpensive option worth exploring.
Get trainer’s tips for a fraction of the cost. If you can’t afford to hire a trainer to come to you, consider another way to get great advice at home. Purchase a subscription to a reputable fitness magazine. You’ll love the exercise tips, training programs, nutrition news and motivating articles.
There are magazines geared to cyclists, triathletes, runners, gym rats, skiers, hikers, surfers and yoga fanatics. Take your pick or browse through some of my favourites including Runners World, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal and Outside.
Mousercise. Still need to cut costs? Most fitness magazines have an online version where you can view articles not only from the current month, but from their archive as well. Surf and find everything from video clips of exercise technique on YouTube to training programs for running a marathon or finishing your first triathlon.
© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service
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