Mom’s Money

Hey Mom – Are You Still Going To The Gym?

Unless you absolutely need a gym membership for body-building, this is one area in which some serious savings could apply.  You may believe it is a necessary expense because you need an exercise program mapped out for you, complete with equipment, and you won’t be able to get that elsewhere.  You may have always belonged to a gym and, although it’s way beyond your means right now, you continue to pay the membership fees because you need to exercise someplace where you have a commitment and encouragement.

If you go to the gym because you truly believe you cannot get the same workout anywhere else, you may want to start searching around a bit.  Check the library, bookstore, and online for exercise videos and equipment, and you’ll be overwhelmed at first.  Once you narrow down your choices to workouts that appeal to you, start pricing the equipment.  A simple seven inch ball used for abdominal work can be found for as little as $10.   You don’t even have to buy a video to go with it.  Once again, just check online for a whole host of exercise options.

If you decide to leave the gym and all the fancy equipment behind in order to save money, don’t get sucked into buying an expensive piece of equipment.  That defeats the purpose and there are many fitness programs that will fit your budget.  Be sure to browse through the video section of the thrift stores, too.  Libraries are a good source for exercise videos because you don’t have to invest any money in a fitness program until you decide if you like it.

If you maintain a gym membership because you are afraid without it you won’t exercise, join a friend!  You won’t believe, until you start asking, how many of your friends and family members are having the same debate with themselves.  They, too, want to exercise and feel that without encouragement and a commitment on their part, they’ll just quit.  Rather than drive to the gym, drive to your friend’s house, put on the video, and have fun!  No membership… just friendship!

This may seem like a no-brainer, yes, but if your budget doesn’t really have room for a gym membership, get rid of it.  The part you may have been battling with, the reason you may not have dropped your membership, is because you’re afraid you won’t be able to find another exercise program that works.  Trust me!  There are so many fitness programs available you won’t be able to decide which one to choose!  You can find many more useful ways to budget your hard-earned cash, I can guarantee it.