Indoor fitness can be seriously pricy, so we’ve come up with 7 ingenious ways to keep moving in winter without re-mortgaging the house.
SWAP: Gym membership for gym trials
Cost saving: $225 by the end of winter
“Become a serial gym trialler,” says PT Tracy Gott. “This involves using discount vouchers for a certain number of weeks at various local gyms, which normally includes a certain amount of classes, workouts and sometimes personal training too.”
She says the best part of this arrangement is that should you like one of the gyms, the company is more likely to offer you a great deal to stay on.
Just a warning: Be aware that gym trials don’t include the fitness assessments you’d expect when signing on full time.
SWAP: Brand-name gym for community gym
Cost saving: $100 by the end of winter
Community gyms like your local YMCA offer great facilities and classes for less than the price of a membership at brand-name gyms. Like clothes, gyms have labels that can bump up the price of memberships without any notable benefits.
“The YMCA is affordable, but the variety it offers also means that you’re making the most of that membership fee,” says Amber McSwiney from YMCA Victoria. “Many YMCA centres offer a pool as well as a gym and group fitness.” They also often have family memberships.
Just a warning: If you’re after particular equipment or fitness classes, check before you sign on. Community gyms don’t tend to offer the cutting-edge fusion classes of boutique or big-name fitness clubs.
SWAP: Regular yoga classes for quarterly private classes
Cost saving: $375 by the end of winter
“The average price of a yoga class is $19,” says yoga instructor Nikola Ellis from Adore Yoga. “If you’re doing two classes a week, that soon adds up.”
She says many of her students attend a private class every 12 weeks. For $120, yogis receive personalised instruction and a fully illustrated home practice kit tailored to their individual requirements. They maintain yoga practice at home then return to the studio for a refresher.
“This works out at under $10 a week and the personalised home practice is doing the yogis far more good, and with less potential for injury, than doing a general class with dozens of other students,” says Ellis.
Just a warning: The obvious pitfall of at-home yoga practice is that you may develop bad habits. To ensure correct technique, ask lots of questions at your private classes and take detailed notes.
SWAP: Running shoes for cross-trainers
Cost saving: $100
“Wear your cross trainers for weights and resistance training and runners just for running,” says PT Wendy Bentley. Cross trainers are cheaper than running-specific shoes and will preserve the tread on your pavement pounders.
Just a warning: Wearing the wrong shoes for a particular sport can result in injury, so make sure your cross trainers are a good fit for your favourite non-running exercises. Avoid generic trainers at discount department stores, unless buying them as a fashion statement rather than as a fitness aid.
SWAP: Free weights for resistance bands
Cost saving: $160
“Resistance bands are a fantastic substitute for free weights and will achieve a very similar outcome in the strength department,” says PT Mathew Skate. “The best thing is they are portable so you can take them to work or when you travel. Resistance bands cost about $40 for a pack of three different resistance variables.”
Just a warning: A study published in the Journal of Strength Training and Conditioning Research found that exercisers who used resistance bands and free weights gained twice the strength versus free weight or resistance band use alone. So don’t ditch free weights altogether – consider investing in a group set or make use of free weights at the gym.
SWAP: Outdoor fitness class for exer-gaming
Cost saving: $200 by the end of winter
Bring the gym to your lounge room. Sounds a little couch potato…or does it? Offering aerobics, strength training, yoga and balance games, the ubiquitous Wii Fit sits next to the telly in more than one million Australian lounge rooms. According to Leverett, while the initial outlay isn’t cheap, in the long run, ‘exer-gaming’ is more than a wee bit cheaper than fitness classes.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin found that of six Wii Fit activities tested, Island Run and Free Run reported the highest energy expenditure, burning 165 calories in 30 minutes. The remaining four each burned a minimum of 99 calories in the same time.
If you’re unsure about Wii Fit, Bentley recommends good old workout DVDs as an effective alternative. “You will often find them on eBay cheap but it’s important to make sure they are fun. Zumba DVDs are a great example of this. Make sure you schedule this type of workout into your week and don’t think about it, just do it.”
Just a warning: Wii Fit provides a moderate workout, so don’t rely on it for all your fitness needs.
SWAP: Face-to-face personal training for online training
Cost saving: Around $170 a week (based on three $70 sessions)
Personalised fitness training offers a wealth of benefits but comes at a price. If you’re after one-on-one coaching minus the hefty price tag, online personal training is a cheaper option that can offer loads more flexibility.
Your PT still puts together assessments and schedules, but instead of regular sessions you’re in charge of managing your workouts. Most online services offer regular phone, email or Skype time with a qualified PT. There is also the option of increased flexibility to workout where (outside, at home, in the gym) and when you like.
“Online programs are normally very low in cost due to the easy accessibility of them and there are so many available now on the internet for every fitness level,” says Gott.
Exercise physiologist Merendi Leverett says the benefits vary depending on which program you choose but just as with traditional in-person training, online coaching offers improvements in cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and strength.
Just a warning: Beware the motivation monster without a PT by your side – look for a program with a community. Otherwise, ask your trainer for tips to combat low motivation and ensure you’ve got clear goals.
NEXT: 6 winter workout tips>>
