My Milkshake Brings All the Boys to the Yard...

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Know Excuses Part II: Money

Continuing my Know Excuses series, we are moving on to another popular excuse..."I don't have the money to join a gym" or "I don't have the money to get a treadmill/elliptical/stationary bike/exercise equipment" needed to workout.  To both of these,  I call BS yet again and am armed and ready to deliver another small dose of tough love.

Oh, she doesn't know what she's talking about, you're thinking. She doesn't know the true sad & sorry state of my finances.  True, I don't have access to your bank statements, wallet or pocketbook. But it's a pretty safe bet you have your own body weight (and body weight can be the very best resistance tool you can use- hence the power of push-ups, pull-ups, squats, lunges, tricep dips, planks, burpees, mountain climbers and a variety of other exercises in which no equipment is required other than your very own bod).  And it's a pretty safe bet, there's a sidewalk near you...or maybe even a lovely trail that you can use to walk, jog, run at full speed, bike or merrily skip down.

If you evaluate your spending, you may very well find room in your budget for a gym membership, personal training, equipment or whatever else you feel you need in order to get moving by cutting out unnecessary spending (i.e. fast food or restaurant meals etc.). In so doing, you'll likely be eating healthier as well- double score!

For the exercise options that do cost $$, there are many affordable options out there for the taking. If you're the type who feels they truly need a gym to get a routine going, there are some fairly inexpensive options out there.  Call around your nearby gyms and see what deals they're offering right now and you may be able to find an affordable, no-frills option near you.  If you find a workout program that intrigues which requires certain exercise equipment, check out www.craigslist.com to see if you can find used dumbbells, resistance bands, kettlebells, whatever you're looking for.  If you love to work out on an elliptical, treadmill or stationary bike, you may also be able to find a good deal on www.craigslist.com or your local classifieds as, unfortunately, many of these pieces of equipment wind up being used more as a clothes hanger than a piece of exercise equipment. Heck, you may even know someone who has one that's been collecting cobwebs and dust. Ask around!

If you're just starting out and feel really unsure about proper form when it comes to strength training, as well as what type of cardio you should do and for how long, you may be able to find group personal training programs at different gyms.  These programs are usually a lot more reasonable than the cost of one-on-one personal training.  Again, call around and ask.  Talk to friends, neighbors, your family about their own personal recommendations on local gyms and personal trainers as well.

Finally, check into the wide variety of workout programs available on DVD that you can do in your home.  Again, ask the folks around you for their recommendations. Read online reviews. Go ahead and check out the Beachbody store on my site at www.coachpetrina.com for complete Beachbody programs. You can email me at coachpetrina@yahoo.com with any questions about programs or simply PM me on Facebook.

Speaking of Beachbody programs, Slim in 6 is a great 6 week program that comes complete with a Step-by Step Nutrition Guide and a resistance band for only $59.85.  It's an affordable option that's perfect for starting an exercise program.



Chances are this six week program would cost less than you would spend on six weeks worth of a gym membership and the gas you'd spend driving to and from the gym. And, you'd get online support not only from me, your Coach, but also a whole network of peers online at www.teambeachbody.com.

Don't let money be yet another excuse holding you back from getting in shape. Find free or low cost options and start a program now!

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