FitSugar

Now Is a Good Time to Join a Gym

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700

One of the positive sides about the economy being so uneasy right now is that good deals are everywhere. In an attempt to save money, many folks have ditched their gym members and started working out at home and outside. Combine that with the fact that gyms see a decline in membership at this time of the year anyway and many are offering great deals on memberships. Plus, most gyms are a lot less crowded right now (as opposed to the beginning of the year), which means you'll be able to take advantage of the free space and you'll really be ready to go for the new year.

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Recession Proof Your Workout: DIY Home Exercise Equipment

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

The economy is on almost everyone's minds these days, but it's important that despite the tough times, we keep ahead of our health. If you're trying to cut back on your costs, you can easily transform a few items at home into your exercise equipment. The Mayo Clinic had a few good ideas as to how. They are:

Canned goods. Many canned goods can serve double duty as hand weights.
Milk or water jugs. Fill empty milk or water jugs with water or sand and secure the tops with duct tape. To adjust the weights as your fitness level changes, simply add more water or sand. If you wonder how much weight you're lifting, simply weigh the jug on your household scale.
Step stools. A low, sturdy step stool can become exercise equipment if you use it for step training - an aerobic exercise resembling stair climbing.

I've got a few ideas of my own to add to the list so read more.

Water bottles. Just like canned goods, water bottles make a great supplement for hand weights (and they won't damage your floor if you drop them). Need to beef it up? Detergent bottles do the trick too.
Chairs. Use a sturdy chair to do tricep dips and inclined push-ups. Have someone spot you to make sure the chair does not flip over.
Walls. Use your walls for push-ups (hands against the wall), stretching, and wall sits.
Stairs. Even if you only have a few stairs in your house, you can use them to climb - up and down.

If this sounds like something you could do, then be sure to check out this 10-minute workout that anyone can do at home.

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What's Your Advice for Working Out on a Budget?

FitSugar — Thu, 31 May 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Everyone gave amazing advice for motivating a fellow Sugar user last time -- Thank you! So, here's another question that someone sent me that could use everyone's advice too:

Hey Fit! I am thinking about trying to tone-up my body, problem is that I am pretty tight on money these days (just graduated college, but unemployed) and I can't afford to join a gym. Can you recommend cheap ideas for working out on a budget until I can scrape up the cash for a gym membership?
-Budgeting in Baltimore

Got advice to give? Leave it in the comments section below.
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Gym Gossip: Details on Tracy Anderson and Gwyneth's Gym

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Last January when asked if you would want to join Gwyneth's gym she was planning to open with her trainer Tracy Anderson, most of you were not swayed by the celebrity affiliation.

Well, the inner workings of the gym have been revealed, and for starters it is not a gym - it's a studio. Let's start with the cost of joining the ~~gym~~ studio. The initiation fee ranges from $790 for a six-month membership to $1,500 for a full year. The monthly fees are $900 a month. For that hefty price, you can choose from 85 classes offered weekly, featuring cardio dance aerobics, which Gwyneth described by saying, "It's fun because it's not like you're running mindlessly on a treadmill." And running is something Tracy thinks you should never do, since she believes running creates too much bulk on your backside, and "a bulked-up bottom is not a pretty one." But I digress. To see what else you get for $900, read more.

Unfortunately, Anderson will not be taking on clients at the Tribeca studio. She splits her training time between the two stars that made her famous, business partner Gwyneth and Madonna, whom Tracy and staff refer to as M. However, members will receive personalized attention from her staff. Every member receives a customized program every 10 days, which is good since it is recommended that you work out at for at least 30 minutes, but preferably 60 minutes, six days a week. Whatever you do, don't supplement Tracy's work with yoga. Tracy wants your undivided attention, and has forbidden her star clients to practice yoga.

If you cannot make it to the Tracy Anderson Studio, you can try her method with a free mini webisode. Since the gym is out of my budget, I think I am gonna head out for a run. What about you?

Ways to Recession-Proof Your Fitness

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I was not pleased when my gym membership fee increased. As if it's not already expensive enough! If you can't afford monthly gym costs, here are some tips for working out on a budget.

Stairs are free. Take them when you can.
Thera-bands cost under $10 and they're a great option for resistance training.
Rent exercise DVDs from Netflix, or buy them. Have a few on hand for cardio, strength training, and stretching so you can get a well-rounded workout for not much dough.
Get an exercise ball for around $20. If you're not sure how to use it, check out these exercises that will strengthen and stretch all the muscles in your body.

Interested in learning more ways to exercise inexpensively? Then read more.

Get an all-in-one exercise system. I like GoFit Ultimate ProGym because it offers a wide range of training options.
A jump rope is under $6 and allows you to get your heart rate up anywhere. You can even pack it in your suitcase when traveling.
Buy a pair of last year's model of sneakers on sale, and walk or run in your neighborhood.
Start a community walking group, or a mommy stroller group. Not only is it free, but it's a great way to get you motivated to exercise regularly.
Most parks are free, so try doing pull-ups on the monkey bars, or dips using a picnic table. Or visit a nature park with trails. Trekking up the hills is a great cardio workout, and also tones your butt and thighs.
You can check out the strength training and cardio workout we created here on FitSugar. Here are a bunch of printable workouts to try at your convenience.

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Recession-Proof Your Workout: Active.com Budget Page

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Staying active doesn't need to cost a fortune. While you might be used to flying across the country for fun races, traveling might not be in your fitness budget this year. Active.com, my favorite Internet resource for finding athletic events, now has a web page dedicated to working out and racing on a shoestring budget.

From lists of camping-friendly races to at-home workouts, Active on a Budget has plenty of information to help you recession-proof your workout. They even provide tips on how to fuel yourself without breaking the bank. Have any tips of your own on recession-proofing your fitness life? Share them in the comments section below.

Before the Big Day: Bridal Boot Camp

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

April means flowers and wedding showers, and for many newly engaged brides, it's time to start thinking about how to get in shape for the big day. Many women take a boot camp approach, using a focused fitness plan to stay on course. Thankfully, there are boot camps for every budget; here are three options to help you along.

Bridal retreats. Live in Fitness recently began offering a multiweek Bridal Retreat program, where women stay in a one-bedroom suite in Southern California and train from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with breaks for healthy meals. Not surprisingly, it'll cost you around $8,000 for two weeks.
Online programs: From Cynthia Conde's Bridal Bootcamp, which helps you create customized fitness and eating plans, to simple, downloadable regimens like Shape's Total Body Wedding Workout, there are oodles of online resources designed just for brides.
Wedding DVDs: If you prefer to work it at home, pick out a bridal-specific video, such as The Wedding Workout from Women's Health or this Wedding Boot Camp DVD.

For more wedding tips, check out all of the Sugar Network’s wedding coverage here.

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BeYOU.tv - Watch Fitness Videos

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:30:00 -0700

If you're trying to stay active while sticking to a budget, here's an idea. FitSugar reader Sinazucar told me about a website called BeYOU.tv. It's a fitness and wellness video community that has actual full-length fitness DVDs like Shiva Rea's Creative Core Abs, Exhale's Core Fusion: Pilates Plus, and Tai Chi With Tiffany Chen. They offer three plans:

For free, you can watch full exercise videos, but you'll have to deal with a few ads. You can click and skip over them though, so it's really not that annoying.
For a 2 Day Pass, pay $4.95 and get streaming access to their entire library of fitness videos for two days - all ad-free. It's a great way to try out the site and see if you want to get the month pass.
For a Monthly Pass, pay $14.95 for full-screen size, commercial-free fitness videos, and you even get the first week free. There are also videos you can download to your computer, iPod, or TV, and the monthly fee gets you 15 percent off the price.

Find DVDs you've heard of, or search for videos based on level of difficulty, parts of the body targeted, or by the type of workout. If you love to work out to fitness videos, this is an outstanding online resource.

At Home Cardio Moves

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:13:12 -0800

Winter is upon us making it difficult to exercise outside. That is where the gym comes in handy, but if that is one expense you have trimmed from your budget, check out these at home cardio moves. They will get your heart pumping and lift your spirits even though it is cold and dreary outside.

Small sprints – Think of these like mini killers
Jumping jacks – A classic move known for elevating your heart rate
Jump rope – If you don't have a rope, jump with a pretend one
Skipping – This childish form of locomotion is great for your legs and heart rate
Mountain Climbers – Like running in place while in the plank position (for a description click here)

I have plenty more moves, so read more

Jumping Squats – Classic plyometric exercise to get your heart rate going and going
Jumping Lunges – Add some lift to your lunges and switch your legs in the air
Step ups – The higher the step/bench the more your legs will work
Squat Thrusts – I grew up calling these burpees and loving them
Shadow Boxing – Jab to the front and the side and keep your heart rate up by moving your arms

You can design a workout mixing up these elements. Alternate exercises every 30 to 60 seconds. Add some strength training moves and you'll have a circuit.

If you have an easy at home cardio move you'd like to share, tell us all about it in the comment section below.

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Recession Proof Your Workout: Free Video Mat Classes From Ultimate Pilates

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

In tough financial times, we all start to trim the fat off our budgets. When the monetary trimming comes from your fitness life, be careful. Exercise helps relieve the stress that accompanies uncertain times. Pilates, a mind-body exercise, works as a great mental distraction while you're working out, but it can be expensive. That is why I was so excited when I found free workouts at Ultimate Pilates Workouts. The site offers much more in a tiered fee system, but their free workouts are 30 to 45 minutes long, informative, and challenging. You do have to register with their site, but opt for the free basic package to gain access to their video mat classes.

The site was create by twin sisters, both former Rockettes. Their studio Pilates on Fifth in NYC seems like a great place to work out, and with their videos you get mat class instruction that is certainly not over-produced. For more Pilates tips and in-depth explanations of Pilates exercises and concepts, check out their video podcasts.

To get a taste of the videos, just read more.