A workout plan with some savings
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Can’t afford the gym or just don’t have the time to go? No worries.
“When it comes to physical activity, your body really has no idea whether you’ve been at a top-flight club or working out on the laundry room floor,” says Dr. Ranit Mishori, a family physician and faculty member at the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.
Here are some ways to get the most for your at-home workout dollar:
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Equipment
Start with that exercise bike or treadmill you already have at home. Still under warranty? Have it checked and tightened. Even a service call could cost less than buying a new machine. Contact the equipment manufacturer’s customer service number to schedule a technician or get a tech referral for a tuneup or a repair.
If you have some extra cash, stores such as Kmart, Sports Authority and Target are all offering sales on some sports equipment. Consumer Reports’ February issue has general information on choosing home gym equipment, but an online or magazine subscription is needed to get the equipment ratings (most libraries carry the magazine).
Also, Internet sites such as craigslist.com, are teeming with used sports equipment. Opt for unused items that still have a warranty, if possible.
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TV/DVD workouts
Already paying for cable? Consider FitTV (www.fittv .com), a Discovery Communications channel. The schedule includes workout shows, such as Shimmy, a dance workout. Some cable companies offer their own fitness programs. Check first to see if additional fees apply.
Other options: Borrow workout videos from a public library (this will also help prevent boredom). And check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. It offers videos online explaining how to do muscle-strengthening exercises. Go to www.cdc .gov/physicalactivity, click the “Physical Activity for Everyone” link, then click “videos.”
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Other sources
Check with your local parks and recreation department. Many offer free hikes and group exercise classes.
Get exercise tips from a new American Medical Assn. program: Healthier Life Steps ( www.ama-assn.org/go/health ierlifesteps.)
Download the site’s tracking calendar to keep track of your workouts.
You can even find great buys on workout clothes at discount stores such as TJ Maxx. (Some stores allow you to sign up for e-mail alerts on shipping and percentage-off discounts.) And Shopittome.com (www .shopittome.com/running) lets you sign up for e-mail alerts when specific brands of workout clothes (you select them on the website) go on sale at certain online retailers, such as Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.
The site sends an automatic alert when the gear is discounted, which can be up to 35%. A recent alert offered Adidas three-stripe running pants, at $25.49, $9 to $14 less than the prices that popped up after a Google search. But remember, the retailers generally charge for shipping.
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