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Archives for December 2008

Start The New Year Out Right: Ways To Save On A Gym Membership

By Peter Leave a Comment

a way to a healthy life
Creative Commons License photo credit: Abdullah AL-Naser

Time to get back on the wagon!

It’s that time of year again where people are making resolutions, vowing that they’re going to lose that 10-20 pounds that they’ve gained during the year.

If you don’t already have a home gym, or a membership at a local club, you’ll probably be looking into joining a club where you can work off the extra pounds.   The problem is that most of these clubs aren’t cheap.

According to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), the median annual cost for a new gym member is a whopping $775 (This amount is based on a sample of IHRSA gyms.)

Tips for keeping gym costs down

An article I found on smartmoney.com offers some tips to getting a gym membership and keeping it more affordable.

  • Negotiate: Even if the gym is having a “New Member Drive” with specially-discounted rates, don’t settle for the first offer they give you, says Cedric Bryant, who develops education certification and training materials for the American Council on Exercise. That’s because gyms are eager to get new members.  “Many gyms are much more open to negotiating because there’s fierce competition for acquiring new members,” says Bryant. Ask the gym to eliminate its initiation fee or reduce the monthly payments. Or request that they include programs you’d otherwise have to pay extra for.  Current members can also try haggling for a lower price. Use more attractive offers from other gyms as leverage to renegotiate your dues, for example. Or ask for any special deals they’re offering to new members.
  • Tap Into Employer and Insurer Discounts: Even after you’ve haggled your way into an affordable gym membership, you may be able to reap even more savings through special employer- or insurer-sponsored discounts.  Often, large companies or unions will offer discounts at a certain gym or reimburse employees for a portion of their membership expenses. To see what’s available to you, contact your company’s human relations department. Insurance companies often offer discounts through their health and wellness programs
  • Make Sure the Gym Fits: Just because the price is right doesn’t mean the gym is. If the gym isn’t conveniently located to your home or office, has hours that don’t fit yours or is just too crowded, the likelihood of actually using your membership drops dramatically, says Rofling. Before you commit, ask to use the gym on a trial basis to test out its equipment and classes. Most gyms will allow first-time members to do so for around two weeks. (Be wary of gyms that don’t.) Visit the gym during the hours that you’ll be there most. For example, while most gym equipment tends to be free on weekday mornings, it’s common to see lines of people waiting to use the treadmill in the evening. Also, check to see if the gym plan offers the services you want. Prefer to work out in groups? Make sure the membership includes classes and you don’t have to pay extra. Each gym has a different policy, says Rosemary Lavery, spokeswoman for IHRSA.
  • Track Down Affordable Alternatives): Working out in a state-of-the-art gym isn’t the only way to stay fit. For those strapped for cash, look to local parks and recreation programs for low-cost fitness programs. Also, some local colleges and universities open their gyms to the general public for a small cost, says Bryant.  Another option: Try a 24-hour workout center like Anytime Fitness and Snap Fitness that aren’t staffed with personal trainers or much staff for that matter. (You can, however, bring your own personal trainer or the fitness centers can supply one at an additional cost.) Each member has a key card that gives them 24-hour access to the facilities. Membership is cheaper than commercial gyms, but this option is only well-suited for those who know the proper way to work out on their own.
  • Sign Up for a PassBook: For yoga, Pilates and other fitness enthusiasts, one inexpensive way to gain access to a host of fitness clubs and classes in your area is to buy a PassBook. Sold by the American Health and Fitness Alliance, PassBooks allow consumers to use gyms, yoga, Pilates and dance studios and other fitness facilities without signing up for a membership. PassBooks are available for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, and are valid throughout the calendar year. (The number of times you can visit a specific facility will vary.) One book costs $75 plus $4 postage and handling and can be found on the AHFA’s web site or call 212-808-0765.

So there you have it, it’s time to get fit. Now you have no reason not to do it becaues you should be able to fit it into any budget.  Want to workout at home? Check out my article talking about building an inexpensive home gym!

10 Frugal Fitness Gifts For Under $50

By Peter 2 Comments

Golden Christmas
Creative Commons License photo credit: krisdecurtis

Christmas is almost here, and if you’re anything like me you’ve got a pretty long list of people you need to buy gifts for.

I don’t really want to spend a ton of money on the gifts I buy, but I do want to give gifts that people will appreciate – and use.

With that in mind I came up with a list of 10 frugal fitness gifts that you can give to a loved one this Christmas, for under $50!  Click through to the links to see more details!

10 Frugal Fitness Gifts Under $50

  1. Yoga Paws: Yoga Paws might be a good gift for that special lady in your life who enjoys doing Yoga.  The Yoga Paws are little wearable yoga mats so that you can take them with you and do your Yoga, wherever you go!  LINK: Yoga Paws – Mini Yoga Mats for your hands and feet!
  2. Amphipod Running pack:  Know someone who’s a runner? Check out this little running pack – they can put their keys in it, a phone, their license and other essentials.  It won’t bounce around like crazy though, it’s meant for running!  LINK: Amphipod Running Pack
  3. Biggest Loser workout: This is one of the few workout videos that I’ve actually enjoyed using.  The video features regular people doing the workouts, and its very motivating to realize that the people you’re working out with are in the same boat as you.   LINK:  The Biggest Loser the Workout Volume 1 & 2 DVD Video 2 Disk Set
  4. Hoopnotica Hula Hoops:  Hula Hoops are back in this year.  After the Ninendo Wii had such fantastic success with their interactive hula hoop game, other hula hoop workouts have gained prominence.  Check out this travel hula hoop!  LINK: Hoopnotica Travel Hula Hoop
  5. Apple Itunes Gift Card: Most people enjoy working out to music from their favorite MP3 player.  Give them the gift of music this  year with an Apple Itunes Gift Card! LINK:  Apple iTunes Music Card Prepaid ($25)
  6. KleanCanteen Water bottle: Those old plastic water bottles aren’t very good for you.  Upgrade their water bottle with a new Klean Kanteen! LINK:  Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles
  7. Exercise Ball: An old standby workout companion, the exercise ball!  LINK:  SPRI SB55VC 55cm Total Body Xercise Ball
  8. Dumbells: Get someone started on a weights workout routine.  Buy them their first set of dumbbells!   LINK:  Vinyl Dumbbell, 20 LB, Black
  9. Heart Rate monitor: Know someone who’s really into working out?  Get them a heart rate monitor so they can take their workouts to the next level! LINK:  Ekho E-15 Heart Rate Monitor Watch
  10. Traveling Trainer:  Have a spouse who’s a road warrior, constantly going from city to city for work? Get them a portable elastic band resistance training set!  LINK:  SPRI Advanced Traveling Trainer

So there you have it, 10 frugal fitness gifts you can give this Christmas.  Have some of your own ideas for a frugal fitness gift that you’re giving this year? Let us know what it is in the comments!

Research Shows That Exercise Helps Suppress Your Appetite

By Peter 1 Comment

in step
Creative Commons License photo credit: patrick dentler

Have you ever noticed how you don’t feel as hungry after you’ve worked out, or your appetite doesn’t seem as ravenous when you’re exercising regularly? There’s a reason for it! From sciencedaily.com

A vigorous 60-minute workout on a treadmill affects the release of two key appetite hormones, ghrelin and peptide YY, while 90 minutes of weight lifting affects the level of only ghrelin, according to a new study. Taken together, the research shows that aerobic exercise is better at suppressing appetite than non-aerobic exercise and provides a possible explanation for how that happens.

The article goes on to talk about how their study showed both types of exercise suppressed appetite, but aerobic exercise to a greater degree:

In this experiment, 11 male university students did three eight-hour sessions. During one session they ran for 60 minutes on a treadmill, and then rested for seven hours. During another session they did 90 minutes of weight lifting, and then rested for six hours and 30 minutes. During another session, the participants did not exercise at all.

During each of the sessions, the participants filled out surveys in which they rated how hungry they felt at various points. They also received two meals during each session. The researchers measured ghrelin and peptide YY levels at multiple points along the way.

They found that the treadmill (aerobic) session caused ghrelin levels to drop and peptide YY levels to increase, indicating the hormones were suppressing appetite. However, a weight-lifting (non-aerobic) session produced a mixed result. Ghrelin levels dropped, indicating appetite suppression, but peptide YY levels did not change significantly.

Based on the hunger ratings the participants filled out, both aerobic and resistance exercise suppressed hunger, but aerobic exercise produced a greater suppression of hunger. The changes the researchers observed were short term for both types of exercise, lasting about two hours, including the time spent exercising, Stensel reported.

The article concludes:

This line of research may eventually lead to more effective ways to use exercise to help control weight, according to the senior author, David J. Stensel of Loughborough University in the United Kingdom

No matter what, regular aerobic and resistance exercise are still a good thing.  If you have a hard time suppressing your appetite – a few laps around the block might do you some good!

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