Exercise Free or Incur Expense of Gym Membership?
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
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Dawn C. is site owner of Frugalforlife.com where this is a repost from: Exercise Free or Gym Membership. Dawn is residing in Colorado with her spouse, Teri, of 11 years.
Photo credit: Frugalforlife.com.
For me time of day is very important. I work out at 5:00 every morning so I can’t go out and run or bike in the dark. I like that the other people at the gym at that time are kindred souls, as it were.
Dawn: I think the key with gym memberships is how often you go each month. Apply the cost per use formula ($75/month x 20 times/month = $3.75 per visit)… if it’s less than a fancy coffee, then it makes sense for me. Of course, there are many good-intentioned people paying for gym memberships and then never going after the first month. Why is that?
I can’t tell you how much I miss my gym!!!! During the spring through fall I don’t miss it as much because I do so much cycling, hiking, paddling, walking outdoors & my weight routine at home & a yoga class I don’t miss it. But with cold falling here in PA I DO miss it. While I cycle year round (weather/safety permitting) it just isn’t the same & for the cold, lousy days I wish I had a treadmill & some heavier weights for options. I am highly motivated & love my workout but this does indeed test my limits. There is not unfortunately any gym I like nearby that is economical enough for me to be able to hop over to it for a workout in between all my business building activities.
I agree with Nina in the sense that if you go — it can definitely be well worth it. My 6+ years of membership while I was at my last employer, I got my money’s worth & then some.
I readily pay for my rock gym membership (at the Doylestown Rock Gym climbing my minimum 6 hours a week for a year it’s about 1.50 a visit) but refuse to spring for a traditional gym, preferring cycling or exercise hacks instead.
I’m all about hiking and walking outdoors for free exercise. I’ve never liked gyms because I’m very body conscious. I know other people aren’t watching me work out – they’re too into their own routines. But it’s still a big turn off to be sweating in a crowded gym. I’ll take outdoors any time!
It’s also worth considering whether distractions or interruptions at home might tip the scales in favor of going to the gym. I have a nice recumbent bike at home, but neither the kid nor the cat really accepts the idea that I want to sit there using it for 20-30 minutes at a stretch, without getting up and down for other tasks!