An article on how to cut unnecessary living expenses, that was published in the Money and Personal Finance section of the US News and World Report, states, "Reduce your entertainment budget. Generally, aside from necessities like rent and utilities, entertainment takes up the largest chunk of your monthly budget. This category encompasses everything from weekends out on the town to magazine subscriptions and your gym membership."
The message that I am receiving here is that gym memberships are considered a luxury, unnecessary and therefore, a waste of money. I would love to debate the folks that purport such ideas and I would also be interested in the state of their health!
I do not see gym memberships as being a luxury but as an investment in your health and well being. And a gym membership is only a waste of money if you never use it. That being said, I will say that there are some gyms out there that are outrageously overpriced. But with some careful shopping, you can most likely find a gym that you can join for under $20.00 a month. Be careful of purchasing membership packages that include extras that you will probably never use, like tanning, merchandise discounts or protein bar discounts. The most important part of a gym is the equipment that you will be using. Therefore, a bare bones membership is usually all that you will ever need to accomplish your fitness goals.
So, what would I say to the folks that are encouraging you to save money by not having a gym membership? I would tell them that asking their clients to cancel their gym memberships in order to save money might be some of the worst advice they could ever offer. In the long run, it may end up costing their clients more...and not just financially!
The cost of not exercising can be staggering. Many studies show that without a daily dose of moderately intense activity, the risk of many adverse health issues is greatly increased. Diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, susceptibility to stroke, high blood pressure, obesity, loss of bone density and poor overall health are more prevalent in those that lead a sedentary lifestyle. These health issues obviously lead to higher medical costs such as elevated insurance rates, more costly doctor visits and the high cost of prescription drugs. This is not to mention the cost of how these issues affect those around you that you dearly love and care for. Is it worth not taking care of yourself so that you are not able to play with your children or grandchildren? Is it worth not taking care of yourself so that you can not enjoy life the way you would like to? Is it worth not taking care of yourself so that others will have to?
Physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors that is responsible for about 80% of coronary heart disease worldwide. Regular moderate exercise can combat this. A recent research study, recorded in the European Heart Journal, found that exercise not only helps prevent heart disease, but also may actually repair heart tissue already damaged. Exercise needs to become a priority in your life so that physically you will have the edge.
The benefits of exercise and activity not only help you physically, but also mentally. Regular exercise helps us in dealing with stress, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. It boosts our energy level and aids in positive thinking and up-lifted attitudes.
Of course, the counter argument to all of this is that, yes, exercise is good but you don't need a gym to exercise in. You can save money by doing all of this at home. I can not disagree with that argument. But I do know that the people who can faithfully discipline themselves enough to participate in an exercise program at home and stick with it are rare.
The reason that many of my clients train with me is because they know that they will not do it on their own.
Belonging to a gym helps to keep you accountable and on track. You are able to schedule a particular time of day that you know you need to be at the gym and when you are there you know it is for exercise. Working out at home can expose you to a lot of distractions; distractions that tend to take precedence over your exercise. At home you believe you can fit your exercise in at any time (but do you). A gym also provides you with a place to go that has the equipment you need. I would love to have a home gym but the cost of the equipment can be prohibitive. Training at a gym also submerges you in an environment of exercise. Being with others who are like minded will help to keep you encouraged and motivated.
So, is it worth the cost? Is a $20.00 a month (or less) investment in your health and well being too costly or too risky? I believe that it is a very safe investment that will continue to reward you with incredible dividends throughout the rest of your life. Regular exercise could actually save you money and it could save your life. A gym membership will most likely be cheaper than the cost of not exercising.
You count the cost. And you decide. What are you worth?
See you at the gym!
Mark