Spring brings us all sorts of hope – that we can finally succeed in getting in shape, gaining the energy that we could really use to take advantage of this city during the warmer months, and shedding those extra few pounds that we gained while enjoying ourselves a little too much during the winter months! The easiest, and most common solution to this problem, is to join a health club.
Sure, they can be nice – even luxurious, depending on the one you choose – but when you have important short- and long-term goals to reach, there are less expensive ways to exercise and get in shape for the upcoming warmer months! I’ve compiled a list here of my ideas.
A fun way to approach this idea would be to pack a simple, nutritious lunch each day and then start a walking “Club” with a few co-workers.
A few recommended routes would be: *Financial District: Along the waterfront, over one of the bridges into South Boston, near the Seaport/World Trade Center and the Federal Courthouse *Beacon Hill: Around the Boston Common/Public Garden *Back Bay: A loop of Newbury Street and Marlborough Street *Fenway area: Along the Riverway, Jamaicaway or around the Fens *Kendall Square area: Along Memorial Drive 2.
To me, it’s a no-brainer: why rent a video or DVD from a video store for more than $5.00 per night when you can borrow one for free for a week or more? This is a great idea for those of us who have trouble staying focused on the same workout for weeks or months at a time.
If you want to continually change it up, you can rent a different workout tape each week and try different types of workouts each time.
If you tend to enjoy the same workout instructor for longer periods, you can often call the library each week and renew your “Rental” of the same item for several weeks.
Many workout instructors have several different workout tapes/DVDs and you can try each one in a rotating cycle, but stay with the same instructor over time if you choose to do so.
The only caution I would give you with this plan would be to do a little homework on your library’s website and reserve the tapes you are interested in ahead of time so that the new one is there when you are ready to reserve it at the end of each week.
A quick search of Craigslist turned up several used bikes in the $45-$60 range that are in decent shape to get you started if you don’t own one.
“If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!” If you are a kid at heart, and you would like to feel like you are playing during recess as you get in shape, dodgeball may be for you! It seems that there are several dodgeball leagues around the city at the moment.
Exercise for a good cause The spring is a perfect time to start thinking about one of these “Win-wins”! This time of year there are often several walks, runs, bikes, and spin-a-thons each weekend in Boston – all benefiting great causes and helping you get in shape.
Dance lessons Alex, a reader from last month, provided a great suggestion that is both a fun, inexpensive date option as well as an inexpensive fun way to get in shape for singles, couples or groups.
You can register online – look up “Harvard University Ballroom Dance Team.” It sounds like a great way to get in shape, have fun, and maybe even make some new, interesting friends.
Start slow – depending on the number of flights of stairs in your office building, it may make sense to go all the way up and down once or twice over the first couple of days and then build up to more “Round-trips” each day.
Another fun addition for you and your workout partner to add to your routine will be to stop at each or every other landing and incorporate stretches, sit-ups, push-ups or another type of exercise.
At the very least, when you ask your human resources department about this, they will begin to notice that this is an important benefit and may even consider adding it in the future! With all these ideas, don’t forget that the most effective way to get in shape is always to combine exercise with a healthy diet.
A major health problem in the future related to being out of shape could derail your financial plans.
If you can get in shape inexpensively now, and manage to stay in shape over the long run, you will be doing yourself multiple favors.
Please respond to this blog entry and share your own ideas for inexpensive ways to get in shape around Boston this spring!
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