Uncommon Cents

I had four major athletic goals in 2008: completing the Great Aloha Run, the Metric Century, the Century, and the Honolulu Marathon, and I’m proud to say I finished them all. Currently, I’m participating in a multiauthor health and fitness blog with my 2009 goals being a bit more modest except for more hiking and weight loss–I’d like to get down to a weight of 165 pounds, vs. the 185-190 I’ve been at for some time (which is considerably less than the 265 I was at when my weight was highest).

I don’t have a gym membership (I really dislike monthly fees on just about anything), but I do have the benefit of experiencing better weather than the vast majority of the world. What are my frugal exercises?

Stretching: Costs nothing (well, I do use a belt to help with one of my stretches, but that’s something I have around anyway) and helps with preventing injury. For a guy who’s not very flexible, this is a big help.

Weight lifting: I have weights I’ve bought ala carte over the years mostly from WalMart. However, much exercise equipment like this is available at garage or yard sales or their Web equivalents, Craigslist or FreeCycle. Builds strength (who can’t use more strength) and helps with preserving bone density (I do not want osteoporosis like my Mom).

Jumping rope: A few bucks (under $25) for a really good rope. I’m not all that great at this, but it doesn’t cost much and it can be done indoors and at night (helpful for time crunches and poor weather). Cardiovascular fitness and hand/eye/foot coordination and timing are improved with this one–and don’t think it’s not macho, guys. Muhammad Ali was the baddest man on the planet and a big jump rope dude, as are many boxers.

Running: Running shoes (I usually get them at Ross for under $35) and some of the same clothes I use for cycling (which I typically get mail order from Nashbar or Performance for maybe $20 for shorts and $15 for jerseys). Great for cardiovascular fitness and not all that time consuming (marathons being an exception).

Bicycling: The most enjoyable exercise I do costs the most. Still, I got my Cannondale for $200, a bunch of parts I’ve had for years got recycled, and I frequent eBay, Performance, and Nashbar for deals on equipment and clothing. Great for cardiovascular fitness and in my case, mental health.

Exercise can be had on the cheap. There’s no need to actually pay for a monthly gym membership when you can do all kinds of other things that won’t have a high monthly cost to them. And in the long run, the hope is that exercise will keep your health care bills down too!

Tags: Frugality, Goals, Social aspects

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