Disease Proof

For some people getting to the gym or pulling out the exercise equipment is either too expensive or just a hassle. In a recent article Jacqueline Stenson of MSNBC offers up advice for deciding which fitness options are right for you, and are the most economical:

The average health club membership in the United States is just $35 a month, according to Brooke Correia, a spokesperson for the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, based in Boston.


A little more than a dollar a day isn't so bad if you view that money as an investment in your health — exercise can help stave off heart disease, diabetes and other costly ills. But membership fees are money down the drain if you don't use the club regularly. And once you sign up, you're usually locked into at least a one-year agreement.

To curb costs, shop around for a basic gym without the frills. Fancy clubs with expansive workout rooms, spas, pools, juice bars and other high-end amenities come with fancy fees. Also find out whether the gyms you're checking out offer month-to-month memberships, suggests Correia. That way, if you don't like a gym, it turns out to be too inconvenient to get to during rush hour, or your job sends you to the Shanghai office for three months, you're not stuck.