Well - Tara Parker-Pope on Health
December 24, 2010, 9:16 am
Saving Money on Fitness
By KAREN BARROW
Chester Higgins Jr./The New York Times The Alba family will be joining a Y.M.C.A. in Brooklyn in the coming year to cut down on gym costs.

Expensive gym memberships and fancy equipment are not a requirement to stay fit. Those looking to cut back on their expenses may find big savings in changing where and how they exercise.

As Walecia Konrad writes in this week’s Patient Money column:

As the nation’s economic woes drag on, many people are rethinking their investments in pricey gym memberships and home exercise equipment. After all, the average health club membership is $750 annually, including sign-up fees and monthly dues. Treadmills can cost upwards of $1,000.

Many fitness buffs are finding that less expensive alternatives can be just as invigorating. “These days people realize you can burn the same number of calories for a lot less money,” said Beth Kobliner, personal finance expert and author of “Get a Financial Life.” “All kinds of programs have popped up post-recession that offer lower-cost ways to exercise.”

Looking for tips to cut back on your fitness costs? Read the column, “Burning Calories, but Not a Hole in Your Wallet,” Then, add your low-cost exercise tips below.

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