Saving Money While Living a Healthy Life Style: Is It Still Possible?

Fitness and recreational sports centers employed 533,200 people in 2014, and jobs are expected to grow 8% by 2024. Globally there are over 180,000 fitness clubs, estimated to have earned $84 billion from their 145 million members”, said the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

I am used to be a fitness addict. It all started in my college freshman year when I was a skinny stick figure weighted 125lbs. My sense of insecurity kicked in because I see all these cool college athletes that always get to hang out with the hottest chicks. I wanted to be as cool as those guys, so I decided to give the gym a try. Even though pharmacy school was rough, I was still able to maintain the gym schedule of at least three times a week.

Fast forward ten years later, I am 31 years old weight in at 172 lbs. And CrossFit is my savior. I practice CrossFit at least four times a week.

Crossfit Finance

There is only one thing I hate about CrossFit: Membership Price $150. For all the CrossFitter out there, have you ever wondered why the fee is so high?

In order words, dropping $150 a month is not something that everyone can afford.

• That’s a total of $1,800 a year.
• If I go consistently 4 classes a week, that is 208 classes/year (52wks x 4),
• Which equals to $8.60/class.

Related: Using“4 Percent” and “25x” Rule to Calculate Saving For Retirement.

As you see the break down price per class, it is not that expensive. But who can show up consistently four days a week for a whole year?

I also pay $20 per month for World Gym membership because it is so close to my house versus 30 mins away for the CrossFit gym.

• That a total of $240 a year

In addition, compare to CrossFit Gym, World Gym is much cheaper. I could have saved $1,560 a year if I only stick to World Gym.

So Quan, why are you so stupid enough to go with two gym memberships?

My answers are:

• Why I love CrossFit:

o Learn many different techniques of lifting such as snatch, clean, overhead squat, bar muscle up, ring muscle up and more.

o Great sense of community and friendship

o Highly competitive atmosphere

• Why World Gym:

o Five mins away from my house

o Excellent membership fee ($20 a month and No Contract)

o They have all kinds of equipment for me to work on my strength and muscle mass.

• Why going to the gym at all?

o Reduces my stress and tension

o Helps me sleep better and clear my mind

o Increase productivity

o Strengthens my health overall

But the ultimate question is: can you live healthy without spending a dime on a gym membership? Of course, you can. I think that 99% of it is coming from your diet. You will be fine if you eat enough nutrition, not skipping a meal, avoid high fat and carb.

Be creative

There are plenty of ways to keep up with the requirement for physical strength and endurance for free:

• Walking, jogging, running
• Push up, pull up, stretching using equipment around the house or at the park
• Swimming at the lake
• Surfing, hiking, climbing.

It is all up to you if you want to be healthy and functional. The body is like a machine. It will break down eventually if you don’t know how to keep up the maintenance.Fun fact: I am also a Level 1 CrossFit Trainer so if you need any tips on how to work out and diet, hit me up.

Thanks for reading and please comment below. I love to connect with you guys.