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GOLackawanna
Sunday, June 24, 2012
How to stay fit on budget
I
t seems that every three out of five people that I know are on some sort of diet or follow a fitness plan. From expensive shakes to underused gym memberships, people are paying a crazy amount of money to get a beach body for the summer. It’s not rocket science that getting fit requires some sort of exercise.
Make sure to research gym memberships and compare the monthly cost for each family member. Most gyms offer a free trial period to test everything out, whether it is three days or 30 days make sure you try before you buy. It’s important to take all membership benefits into consideration before making a one year commitment. Ask if there are any fees for canceling membership early or freezing membership. Baby sitting service is a must for me, but some gyms charge extra or charge a daily fee to use this benefit. Hours of operation and schedule of classes are also important. Join with a friend in order to take advantage of special deals and to keep each other motivated to get the most out of a membership. Most people think that Planet Fitness offers the best deal for a gym; however, for me it doesn’t offer any of the membership benefits like exercise classes or babysitting services. Subscribe to discounted fitness magazines. Check sites like DiscountedMags.com for deals less than $4 a year for fitness magazines. These magazines will help keep you motivated, provide work out tips, low calorie food recipes and even detailed home workouts can be fun to read. Find the best deals on fitness apparel by using coupons and browsing discount racks. I tend to find the best sneaker deals on clearance since most of the styles are just outdated or the sporting goods store is just looking to make room for new styles.
DEAL DETECTIVE JENNA URBAN Don’t be afraid to purchase fitness apparel at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, or Target. Not only can you find some great deals, but the quality of the items are similar to brand name clothing they just don’t have a brand name logo on the product. Working out at home can save you a ton of money. Check your on-demand stations or try to DVR exercise programs. Look to rent fitness DVDs from the library or purchase them online from Amazon.com, which sells discounted, used DVDs and games. If you own a gaming system, look to buy games that allow you to work out to Zumba or dance party type themes. Most gaming systems offer a variety of work out games that are fun and inexpensive. Don’t rush out and buy expensive exercise equipment that will someday act as storage for clothing. For a successful workout at home, purchase light weights and an exercise ball. One of my favorite workout videos is the Jillian Michaels’ “30 Day Shred,” because they’re quick 30 minute workouts and there’s low overhead on equipment. Last time that I checked, walking was free. Try to go for a 30 minute walk every day or at least four times a week. Research shows that brisk walking for 10 minutes, three times a day can be as beneficial as walking 30 minutes. There are times that I plan my walk around errands like going to the post office, mini trips to the drugstore or taking the kids to the park. Staying fit doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s important to know in advance how much money you can dedicate a year to fitness and plan activities and goals around that budget. There are ways to be successful with all types of budgets, just find the one that works for you. Do you have a fitness tip that saves you money? Share it with us at facebook.com/golackawanna
Phil Vahey
Ryan Levan
BLUE DEVILS KEEP IT CLEAN
GO LACKAWANNA/RICK NOTARI
Mike Vieira directs residents to the Old Forge High School football team’s car wash on Saturday, June 16 at Ace Hardware on Main Street in Old Forge.
Ken
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Ken
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