"Fitness Ain't Cheap"

I hate the "fitness ain't cheap" excuse.  Okay, okay, I realize that this isn't a household expression or anything, but really, the "it's-too-expensive-to-work-out" rationalization is  becoming for the 2000s what the "I'm-too-busy" excuse was for the 1990s.  It doesn't really hold up.  It seemed that during the 90s we could somehow convince people that we were too busy for anything.  Perhaps Al Gore's brilliant invention of the internet, or the Walkman CD player, or the final episode of Seinfeld had such a jarring effect on us that it truly was an understandable cop-out during that decade.

Not anymore.

You see, somewhere along the lines someone started conducting studies that showed that the average American watches 4 hours and 35 minutes of television a day.  

They also spend an average of 9.5 hours a week online at home.

Even if we used half of that time for working out, it would amount to nearly 3 hours of physical activity a day.  Now that's quite a nice workout.

So, the 'busy' excuse is toast.  We're all busy all the time and no one wants to hear about it.  However, the latest justification ostensibly holds more ground:  "I'm too poor to stay in shape," with the basic assumption being, "you have to be rich to get a proper workout."  

It makes sense, doesn't it?  After all, a decent multifunctional home gym machine from Wal-Mart--the discount king--will set you back at least 600 bucks.  And then there's the yoga mat: 30-50 bucks.  A set of dumbbells, ranging from 5-80 pounds: 300-400 bucks.  Good running shoes: 80 bucks.  A treadmill: 400-1000 bucks.  Workout clothes: 300 bucks. A swiss ball: 40 bucks.  Etc. Etc. Etc.

Et cetera.

You know what the truth is?  The fitness industry has us fooled into thinking two contradictory things: 

1. That all you need is this one tiny little contraption for $19.95 (plus shipping and handling) and you will receive the single tool that will guarantee you weight loss, sexy abs, a higher self-esteem, and that beach bod you've been dreaming of all of your life.

2. That in order to be physically fit, we have to have all of those pricey items listed above, and much, much more.  

In actuality, both of those deceptive and antithetical notions are one and the same--the idea that physical fitness has a price.  They calmly seduce us into thinking that by dishing out our hard-earned cash to buy their product, we will somehow stop watching television, stop surfing the net, stop all of our bad eating habits, and start setting aside time to move around.  

False.

You want to know what it takes to be physically fit?  It takes you and enough space to move around a bit without hurting yourself.  That's right.  All you need is enough space to do some pushups and aerobics, a wall or two, perhaps a bar for pull-ups if you're lucky, throw in some gravity and you have a recipe for cut abs, toned muscles, cardiovascular endurance, and enhanced flexibility.  (The self-esteem is still sold separately)

With just your body weight only, there is so much that you can do to keep yourself in shape.  You can go running, do aerobics, kickboxing, Tae-Bo, plyometrics, pushups, situps, crunches, pull-ups, dips, lower back exercises, flies, shoulder presses, squats, lunges, hip extensions, calf raises, jumping jacks, yoga, Pilates, stretches, dancing, hiking, etc., etc. etc.

Et cetera.

While it is true that the nice fitness equipment can be expensive, even the average poor college kid can cover the cost of nothing.  Now, I must mention that you can't get ANY body you want without equipment.  Body weight exercises are great for beginners looking to build some muscle, and are always good for anyone looking to increase muscular tone and endurance.  However, they aren't going to give you bulging biceps or gigantic pectorals.  For those, you WILL need some heavier resistance, such as dumbbells and barbells.  

Here are some suggestions of MINIMAL equipment that you can get for a decent price:

• A set of SOME dumbbells.  Okay, let's face it--every guy wants a nice rack of every dumbbell in 5-pound increments, but that isn't always feasible; you may not have the space in your place.  You may not have the funding.  So find out which weights you most need, and which weights you will most need in three months.  If you are currently doing shoulder presses and curls with 30-pounders, get yourself a pair of thirties, a pair of thirty-fives, and a pair of forties.  Eventually, you'll need more, but it's a great start, and hopefully you can save 30 bucks for your next set in a few months.  For lighter dumbbells, you can substitute household objects, such as a can of soup or a gallon jug.
• Find SOMETHING that could be used as a pull-up bar.  It may be a part of a jungle gym.  It may be a part of a basketball hoop.  Or a soccer goal.  Anything that can support your weight can be used.  There is a pretty sweet bar that I just got for a little under 50 bucks and it can be used for dips and situps as well.
• If you can get a bench and a barbell, do it.  Even a decent Olympic Standard barbell with weights up to 300 pounds isn't terribly expensive.  You can get the whole set for a couple hundred dollars.
• Forget the home gyms.  Those things are a ton of money, and they aren't as effective as free weights.  If you really like those fitness machines, a gym membership is the most cost-effective way to go.
• Get some good running shoes.
  

Other than that, you really don't need a lot to get the body you want.  Some free weights, some running shoes, and determination.

And, yes, the self-esteem is still sold separately.  (Seriously, go see a shrink)

P.S. I'm currently working on a fitness program for the website that can be done with just body-weight exercises.  I'll get that link on here when it's done.