January 22, 2019 The cost of keeping fit and staying healthy

 

 

I have a serious case of the guilts at the moment. Christmas was a big one – I reckon I ate three times my own body weight. So I’m on an exercise-filled mission at the moment. I’m desperate to get some fitness back.

 

Before I beat myself up too much, though, I’m not alone. There’s a reason why gym memberships spike in the first couple of weeks of January. Everyone’s in the same boat. Suffering post-festivity remorse after letting your hair down over Christmas is a well-trodden path for many, year in, year out.

 

Now, I love hitting the gym and working with my personal trainer. It works for me, and he plays a big role in keeping me motivated and pushing beyond where I’d likely get to myself. In saying that, the gym isn’t for everyone. I get that. The key is to choose something you genuinely enjoy doing – that’ll keep you motivated, which is often half the battle with establishing a good fitness base.  

 

The beauty of exercise is that there are so many ways you can get fit – some will cost you next to nothing, others will cost you an arm and leg. It’s really a case of what works for you.

 

Personal training

Finding my personal trainer back in 2012 was a revelation for me. Some people are highly motivated when it comes to training, some need a little encouragement. For me, I need a structured program and having someone to keep me accountable. We do one session a week at the gym and, I’ll be honest, it’s the one thing that keeps me in check. While personal trainers are a dime a dozen – as Google will attest – I’d highly recommend reaching out to your network and asking for some recommendations. Word of mouth’s everything, from my experience. Trialling a couple first is a good idea, too.

 

Cost: Expect to pay anywhere from $40 – $80 per session, plus a gym membership if you are attending a commercial gym like Fitness First or Goodlife. 

 

 

F45 training

A couple of clients have been raving about F45 recently. It combines high-intensity cardio and strength training over – yep, you guessed it – a 45-minute session. We’re talking things like lifting, squatting, jumping, punching, kicking, rowing, you name it. F45 is a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program which if you believe the website “Leaves client gasping for air”. The good news is there are loads of places in Melbourne who run dedicated HIIT classes. So, I’m actually thinking of including one class a week outside of my current program with my personal trainer.

 

Cost: Unlimited sessions for around the $60 mark per week

 

 

Running

Exercise doesn’t come much more tried and tested than running. The best thing about it? It’s free. Aside from the upfront cost of a decent pair of running shoes, obviously. And you can pretty much do it anywhere. I much prefer jogging on grass than concrete, but that’s just me. Combined with a little bit of stay-at-home strength training – push-ups, for instance – running’s a great way to keep your health in check.

Cost: Free

 

 

Cycling

In terms of Saturday sporting pursuits, cycling’s the new golf. According to a number of lycra-inclined friends and clients, it’s a great way to keep fit. The only drawback is the set-up cost. A half-decent entry level bike isn’t cheap, then there’s added cost of stuff like a helmet, cycling shoes, clothing, gloves and everything else you’ll need to get rolling. In saying that, once you’ve got everything you need, it’ll cost you nothing to get out everyday.

 

Cost: Around $2K at a minimum