Loading ...Exercise Free or Gym Membership
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I have read a few sites that show the benefits of having a gym membership and I have my own personal experience on the benefits of exercising for free.
I think there are a few questions to ask before deciding:
What do you like to do? If you like to be outdoors and the thought of being cooped up in a building is un-appealing then free exercise might be for you. If you prefer tennis or swimming then a gym membership would make it a better value for you.
What do you have access to now? Perhaps you live in an apartment complex that provides a weight-room and swimming pool or you live near an area that allows you to get out and walk. Find out what you can do around you that you like for free first.
What is more convenient? If you are more apt to work out on your way to or from work, find a gym that would be around your route to work to stop off at. Many people have been able to acquire exercise equipment from craigslist, freecycle or ReUsIt groups for almost free or also free, and set up a work out area in a room.
Do you prefer a group or to be alone? To some people, being with other like-minded people (dropping weight, building muscle) inspires them to keep going. If you are someone who gets into weight-lifting, being with others who would be able to spot you may be ideal. But there is something to be said for going it alone and not having the added distraction and germs of other people.
What time do you plan to work out? This is not high on the question list, but if you are a jogger at 3am, depending on your area, the safety of an all-night gym may be worth the money instead of the ‘quiet’ streets. Also, if your walls are paper thin in an apartment, may I suggest a gym instead of working out at 11pm when others in the area are trying to get to sleep and don’t want to hear you grunting as you push out the 30th push-up.
What’s your goal? If it is to get more physical activity then you can probably do that for free around your home. But if you are going for the state bodybuilding championships or the Olympic team then a facility that has more equipment and mentors may be up your alley.
Can you try it out for free? If you are still unsure at this point, perhaps you can try out the local gym for a couple of days, weeks for free or by paying a small amount. If you do go for a free trial, make sure you stick to the trial only and don’t get caught up in their ‘free offer’ that only comes with a year’s contract (two months free, IF you sign….)
There are many free things that you CAN do NOW:
Drop Weight not Dough
Frugal Exercising
Frugal fitness solutions
Walking to Health and Savings
7 Secrets To Staying Slim, That Save You Money
Popularity: 8% [?]
Or, when your health insurance reimburses you for the entire cost of your membership, then you can do both. For free.
Dawn’s Note: You are a lucky person…I will check into that myself, I hadn’t even considered it.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:03 amYou might also consider group fitness classes. I work at a gym that provides indoor cycling, land aerobics, yoga, pilates, and water aerobics classes for free. I absolutely guarantee that you will get a better workout in these classes than you will on a treadmill; I know I do when I teach them.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:20 amThere’s something about being around other people that allows you to push yourself harder with less pain. Plus, some of the classes end up small enough that it’s almost like a personal training session for free!
Unfortunately, a lot of gym members don’t realize how great the classes are, and prefer to walk on a treadmill for an hour to a fun group class.
My thoughts: If I can’t start off being disciplined on my own, I shouldn’t join a gym because it’s likely I won’t be disciplined then either.
On the other hand, some people need classes and such to get themselves going. Signing up for those might be a good idea for people who haven’t yet had a good track record with ordinary workouts.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:17 pmI have wasted too much money at gyms where I started out well and ended up never going. My favorite way to work out is to find a Jazzercize close by and pay by the class. I may go twice a week for a month but if I can’t make it, I don’t feel guilty.
February 16th, 2008 at 6:11 amI had a membership to the local YMCA for my kids’ afterschool program. I started going to classes, and loved them! For me, the social part of it kept me going, and I lost a LOT of weight.
I have been so successful that I am now TEACHING the classes, and my membership has been waived!
BTW, the YMCA offers plenty of options for financial aid, so if your insurance doesn’t pay, they can work with you.
Dawn’s Note: Good information to know, thanks Jeanine .
February 21st, 2008 at 12:50 pmI’ve opted for the Gym Membership for a few reasons.
1. Running on the streets really hurts my knees. It could be the extra 50 lbs. I’m carrying around, but the elliptical just feels much better for me.
2. The Sauna! I love love love the sauna and I’d pay the $40 a month just for that!
3. I take my showers at the Gym. Almost every One of them. I don’t know how much money that saves, but I’m sure its a good bit.
4. The atmosphere is very encouraging to me. I love being around other people that are excited about fitness.
5. I didn’t really NEED the internet on my blackberry so I canceled it and it’s paying for my gym membership. Good trade I think.
February 24th, 2008 at 2:50 pm