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Fitness
Frugal Workouts
By Susan Crandell, November & December 2008
Good health is priceless, but exercise doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg
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Feeling the pinch of a sagging economy? Then you’re probably taking a hard look at monthly expenses, such as gym fees. But you don’t have to give up exercise completely. Fitness can be low-cost, even free.
SAVE ON DUES
Look for a no-frills gym Planet Fitness has cardio and weight-training equipment but no classes. The fee: as little as $99 a year.
Ask for a discount—and keep asking Most International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) clubs offer price reductions several times each year. You may also be eligible for group discounts through your work, school, or association memberships, so be sure to ask.
Seek low-cost classes Great sources for affordable exercise groups: the YMCA, which has reduced rates for those who qualify; a community center or house of worship; or your public pool.
AT-HOME MUSCLE TONER
Slow Squat Full-Body Combo
Leading exercise researcher Wayne Westcott, Ph.D., suggests this exercise to strengthen the upper and lower body.
1. Begin in a half squat with your knees bent and hips flexed, as if you were sitting in a chair. Hold dumbbells (2 to 4 pounds each for women; 6 to 10 pounds each for men) in preparation for a curl.
2. Use your leg muscles to rise, while curling dumbbells, then pressing them overhead. Take 10 seconds to complete the move. When you can do 12 reps easily, increase the weight.
WORK OUT AT HOME
Repurpose your bicycle For cut-rate cardio, put your bike’s rear wheel on a training stand and create a stationary bike. Recently on eBay, a used stand went for $43.
Garden, rake, or mow the lawn A handy activity calculator at www.aarpfitness.com gives the calorie burn for a number of everyday tasks. If you’re raking or digging, remember to switch sides to get an even workout.
Barter for training sessions Have a friend who’s a personal trainer? Think about what you can offer in exchange for working out together: anything from building a bookcase to catering a meal to doing your trainer’s taxes.
Get deals on equipment Troll Craigslist or the classifieds for bargains. Elastic bands add resistance without subtracting dough: they’re less than $15 new.
Form a workout club Get together with two friends and work out to a DVD. If you each buy one, you’ll have three different workouts to rotate.
Scale some steps Miss the StairMaster at your old gym? Make like Rocky and climb real steps—at a normal pace, you’ll burn about 400 calories an hour.
Walk and talk While you may not walk quite as fast with a friend as you would by yourself, you’re likely to walk farther.
Catch a class on TV Some popular, frequently broadcast exercise shows: Sit and Be Fit, Wai Lana Yoga, and Classical Stretch: The Esmonde Technique. See www.locatetv.com for schedules in your area.
Visit AARP Fitness: Your destination for an active, healthier life
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