Fitness On a Budget #1

Appetizer
The residential real estate market, along with gas prices and the economy in general, is causing savvy consumers to cut back on their "wants" in order to afford their "needs." In these situations, expenses that feel like splurges are oftentimes the first to go. Follow my next few posts to find out how to meet your financial obligations without sacrificing your health.

Main Course
Paying for a gym membership and the gas it takes to get there can be expensive, but there are plenty of other options for getting in shape. Here are some low-cost alternatives to help you get fit without breaking your budget:

1. Improvise by using ordinary household items for various upper and lower body exercises.
1. Canned goods. Many canned goods can serve double duty as hand weights.
2. Milk or water jugs. Fill empty milk or water jugs with water or sand and secure the tops with duct tape. To adjust the weights as your fitness level changes, simply add more water or sand. If you wonder how much weight you're lifting, simply weigh the jug on your household scale.
3. Potatoes. A 5- or 10-pound bag of potatoes can provide added resistance for various exercises.
4. A low, sturdy step stool can become exercise equipment if you use it for step training — an aerobic exercise resembling stair climbing.
5. Chair. You can use a chair for many seated exercises with makeshift weights or use the seat as a platform for your hands while doing triceps dips. The back of the chair serves as a good place to hold on for extra balance when doing things like leg lifts.

Dessert
These may sound like corny ideas, at first, but remember that it's usually the simplest things that, when done consistently, add up to the biggest results. I've gotten a great reaction from clients who saw me deliver these same tips on Fox 5 Atlanta last month: Watch the TV Clip

About Cafe Physique:
The mission of Café Physique is to help clients reach and exceed their personal fitness and nutrition goals. If you’re in need of an a nutritionist in Atlanta or an Atlanta personal trainer – Café Physique is the perfect solution. We offer Atlanta yoga instruction, Atlanta prenatal workouts, and Atlanta personal training. We also have private sessions of pilates that Atlanta residents are raving about. We invite you to let a member of our Atlanta registered dietitian staff or personal training team develop and implement a realistic and healthy lifestyle plan to meet your personal goals.