Fitness does not require a gym membership

By Santa Ynez Valley Star Staff · Tue Mar 17 2020

By Jim Riley

Contributing Writer

The new year is upon us, and for many it’s time for the annual New Year’s Resolution. One of the most common resolutions is to become more fit. Coincidentally, January is also the month that gym memberships soar. Good intentions to improve fitness often become expensive, long-term commitments that go unused after the new year enthusiasm diminishes.

Many people see gym membership as essential to improving their physical fitness and think the money commitment will keep their goal in focus over time. Although I value and enjoy the workouts at my gym to maintain and improve fitness and for the social aspects available there, a gym regimen does not appeal to all who wish to improve their fitness levels, and many fit people never see the inside of a gym.

 My wife, Nadine, proofreads and critiques this column. She pointed out to me that being fit doesn’t always require a gym membership, as I too often assume. I was informed that she is fit and does not like or attend fitness classes or formalized strength and aerobic training that are commonly available with gym memberships.

We have been married for 52 years and I know it is unwise to criticize her fitness levels, but her comment rang true for me. She was right. She is fit, she moves well and never goes to the gym.

There are two traits displayed by those who stay fit without formal exercise programs. There are many, like Nadine, who maintain their fitness levels the old-fashioned way by moving often in a variety of activities throughout the day. If you move often doing a variety of tasks you are really doing a series of mini-workouts. Such mini-workouts might be called chores, housework, yard work, gardening, grocery shopping or playing with the grandkids.

These types of activities build stamina, strength, mobility, athletic skill and may bring a lot of personal satisfaction and save money. Any task that gets you on your feet and moving has fitness benefits and removes you from the sedentary lifestyle, the arch-enemy of fitness.

It’s easy to work more movement into your life by implementing some of the following suggestions: