Don't Let Bankruptcy Stop You From Running!!

During my short tenure writing for T,H,E K,I,D's Running Down A Dream, I wrote a satirical yet witty post about running and the economic downturn we are now facing. Unfortunately, that economic downturn has become more downturn and one can't help but notice how many articles, news stories and anecdotes are being disseminated about how to curb unnecessary expenses. Even more unfortunate are the steadily increasing number of articles concerning cutbacks in one's fitness regimens as a way to save a few bucks. While there are those who will take these articles as an excuse or justification for why they shouldn't start dieting or losing weight at the moment (my buddy has yet to begin his planned system of weight loss and has in fact gained another 5-10 pounds), I take them to demonstrate just how many people there are who waste much money on unnecessary and oftentimes useless fitness-related expenditures.

Case in point and by way of a general example is a U.S. News & World Report article which outlines "5 Ways Your Workout Can Weather the Recession." While it is true that your costs will go down if you follow their instructions, the article misses the point and suggests a reduction in costs rather than a total elimination of them. You see, dear readers, if you allow me a brief moment of your time, I will use these 5 ways of cost reduction as a basis to show you how you can completely eliminate these workout costs altogether while at the same time maintain a healthy and steady fitness regimen!

* Get a deal from your gym. If the point is to reduce your workout costs, why does the U.S. News & World Report feel it necessary to even be a member of a gym at all? In my storied past, I have joined a gym or two and found that after one whole year of being a member, I ended up buying more smoothies from the plush juice bar than the number of times I actually even went to the gym in the first place (there were a few instances where their selections all seemed so delicious that I bought two different flavors!). I encourage you all to do a little interweb research and I guarantee you will see that all the necessary equipment one needs for a full-body workout as well as a cardiovascular regimen are available for free in and around your very abodes. I went to the awesome interweb video site Youtube.com and found a whole host of home workouts that don't require any gym equipment at all (for your convenience, I have added some of my favorites below, including one from my all-time favorite trainer Chris Comfort!). Assuming you own a pair of sneakers just run outside for free. For arms, shoulders and back,do some different variations of push-ups and pull-ups. For legs, do squats. For bellies, do different variations of sit-ups. I could go on for some time (as I have a tendency to do) but I hope you see my point. CUT THE GYM OUT COMPLETELY!




* Set up a home gym. As per the above, why does one need a home gym at all?! We are only at step 2 and already, by following the advice of U.S. News & World Report, you are still either a member of an expensive gym or you have actually gone out and spent money to set up your own home gym.

* Use technology to your advantage. The article begins to get more on-point with this third step. While it mentions the various workout DVDs available FOR purchase, it also notes that there are free alternatives as well. As is evidenced by the above videos, there are thousands upon thousands of free workout routines available on the interweb and I highly encourage you to use them to your advantage in terms of fitness frugality as well as financial soundness.

* Simplify your routine. This step suggests that "If you're in a sport or activity that requires an expensive facility or equipment, maybe it's time to try something else for a while..." If the supposed point of this article is to provide tips for how your workout can weather this recession, why would U.S. News & World Report suggest ceasing it to begin another cheaper and obviously less preferable one? Dear readers, if I can impart one piece of wisdom to you today, let it be this: One need not compromise their preferred workout in order to save currency! The point is, your workout may need to change slightly but it never needs to be stopped entirely.

* Cut your gear allowance. I must agree with this one. Time and time again, I have fallen prey to mass marketing and the like and have been manipulated into buying far too much running gear and accessories. However more recently, I have also fallen prey to the wrath of my frugal but dopeness wife CVSW who has been telling me from day 1 that I waste too much monies on running gear. As a man who is conflict-adverse, I have finally listened to the pleas of my wife and have cut back on running purchases. As a sidenote, and in an effort to be argumentative, I would be remiss if I did not state that this step, while accurate, is merely stating the obvious. I would think that U.S. News & World Report would be able to develop a unique method of cutting workout costs.....clearly, I have thought wrong!

And so, dear readers, as the work week begins, and the economy continues its downward spiral, rest assured that your workouts can (and hopefully will) stay the (running) course. While your bank accounts may reach zero, and your employment may reach termination, you will still be able to afford that workout before you go to bed at night.