At Bally Total Fitness, monthly membership fees range from $20 to 3$0. LA Fitness charges their members $9.95 dollars or $12.95 weekly. Planet Fitness charges $10 per month, probably the cheapest out of the three. All of the gyms usually charge an upfront fee to join.
There are plenty gyms across the nation you can become a member at and obtain a great workout.
Also, most gyms offer other great perks and gym features. Some have: group exercise classes, martial arts, personal training, spas and saunas, massage chairs and even babysitting centers on location.
Some may want to go enjoy a good workout with family or friends and sometimes join the gym to meet people. The gym seems very convenient for people who would like a great workout using equipment they do not own at home. The gym seems like get-in-shape-heaven, right?
Well for some yes, but not for all.
Some of us are not financially able to fund a monthly or weekly membership just to loose a little bit of weight or gain a little muscle. Some of us can’t find quality time due to children, work, or other outside activities.Some of us are too shy to exercise and get fit around other people whereas some of us just don’t have the desire to go to the gym although we do have the passion to get in shape.
So, what can we do to overcome some of these stumbling blocks that are keeping us from being a more active person. Well, the more inexpensive way is to do it right in the comfort of your home or in odd places that you never considered!
Before gyms ever existed, how did people get fit? Well, some did heavy work to get in shape such as: chopping wood, walking to nearby markets or carrying heavy loads far distances.
So, if people during the early 1900’s and before were able to stay fit without gyms I’m sure we still have the ability too as well. I do think that gyms are just another way to break your pockets when all you have to do is do a little research and find alternative ways to slim down.
Here are some alternative workout ideas:
1) Instead of using the stair climber find some stairs nearby to jog or walk up and down: stairs in your home, bleachers at the football field, using the staircase instead of the elevator at your job, etc.
2) Instead of using the bicep curl equipment provided at the gym you could take something heavy like water jugs, stand up straight or sit on a chair with perfect posture, and curl your biceps up and down.
3) Instead of the treadmill you could go jogging around a track or at a park. Play a sport that calls for a lot of running like soccer.
4) Instead of using the pull-up bar you could go to a nearby park and use the monkey gym bars. Purchasing a pull-up bar for your home would be more convenient as well.
Swimming, riding a bike, Nintendo Wii, playing a sport, hiking and dancing can all be used for cheap alternative ways to exercise. Pick an activity you like and go for it! It’s Free!
© 2012, Jasmine Allen. All rights reserved.
Jasmine Allen is a BLC Freelance Writer.
