The Low-Tech Times

In the first post of this series, the Low-Tech Times presented several reasons to exercise outside instead of paying to join a fitness club.

The second article mentioned safe ways to exercise in your own home and also included a couple of fitness product recommendations (jump rope and pull-up bar).

After reading an article entitled ‘No Gym? No Problem!” in the January Reader’s Digest, I wanted to post on the subject for a third time. The article was written by Kathryn Tyranski and includes tips from trainer Kathy Kaehler. The tips describe ways to exercise for free in your own home using furniture and products that many of you already own. One idea listed that I thought was interesting was to fill empty laundry detergent bottles with water, instead of purchasing dumbbells.

In a previous article, I wrote that expensive gym memberships were unnecessary because people can exercise outside for free. Jon commented that outdoor exercise is not always practical because of weather or safety concerns. He had a good point.

However, it’s also easy to exercise inside your own home without paying for a monthly gym membership. Herschel Walker, a Hall of Fame football star who played for the University of Georgia and the Dallas Cowboys, originally got into great physical condition without the benefit of a gym. He did thousands of pushups and sit-ups in his own home during television commercial breaks.

These relatively inexpensive products can also help with a home fitness routine:

With New Year’s resolutions, many people sign expensive contracts so they can drive to a gym, lift weights, run on a treadmill, ride a stationary bicycle, and/or take aerobics classes. What a waste… as reported in a previous post, the Census Bureau reports that U.S. fitness and recreational sports centers took in over $17 billion in revenues during 2005.

I simply cannot understand why someone would want to pay to exercise indoors, when they can exercise for free outside? I’d rather hike up a mountain than use a stair-master in place. I’d rather run outside than on a treadmill. I’d rather split wood than lift weights. What do you think?

Instead of paying to workout, why not volunteer to do some good with your efforts? I’ve volunteered in the past maintaining the Bull Run—Occoquan Trail, working to clear trees and brush, haul out trash, and install erosion control devices. I’ve also heard that Habitat for Humanity is a fulfilling place to volunteer while getting some exercise. What do you think?