So long sports club fees

Reasons So Cal residents don’t need a gym membership…

(1) It’s sunny (or at least not snowing) approximately 327 days of the year (give or take a few…).

(2) There’s no shortage of space – inside or out.  Seriously, there are beach front paths, sidewalks, and parks aplenty…and that’s not even taking into account the square footage under my own roof!

(3) When you get sick of running, biking, rollerblading, swimming, and/or surfing in the sun (as if that’s even a possibility), you can turn to any number of workout DVDs and/or home exercise equipment. 

If you are in a rut and looking for good resources read on; that’s where this post is going… 

A while ago I was contacted by Stephanie from America’s Nutrition, a website selling all things health related, from fitness gear to nutritional supplements.  Since I was in the market for new exercise equipment (who isn’t?), I jumped at the chance to try out some of their products.  It took several hours of browsing to finally narrow down my wish list, but in the end I decided to try out the Valeo Dual Resistance Bands and PuRathletics Balance Board. 

It comes with a pair of bands, one small and one large.

Pros

The size:  It’s so small it can fit in any suitcase making exercise while traveling incredibly easy.  Also, for all the New Yorkers out there who live in a 2 foot by 2 foot apartment, this doesn’t take up your precious storage space. 

For the past few months I’ve been basically homeless…travelling across the country, as well as up and down the entire West Coast, staying in hotels and with family and friends along the way.  In times like these, having easily portable exercise equipment is invaluable. 

The diversity:  The resistance bands come with a set of exercises, but a quick google search brought up a million and one others…including YouTube videos, and workout DVDs.  America’s Nutrition also has several DVDs available.  Even as I was doing the moves that came with the bands, I kept thinking of more and more variations.  The options are literally endless! 

The workout:  Yes, they actually work!  I was so sore the day after doing the moves; it just goes to show you how a minimal alteration in your workout really makes new muscles work!  My arms, legs, and core muscles were all aching in the best way.  I love that sore feeling. 

The price:  As I alluded to above, I’m trying to avoid buying a gym membership now that I’m in LA.  With inexpensive fitness gear like the Dual Band and Balance Board, there’s no way I will ever pay a monthly bill like I did for NYSC again.  And that’s just fabulous.  Why I ever left California is beyond me. 

Cons

The handles:  The grip for your hands are slightly annoying when you aren’t using them as handles (like on leg exercises).  They didn’t stay in place for the leg moves and kinda dug into my skin in an uncomfortable way.  In general, it would be fine if you were wearing pants, but on my bare skin it didn’t feel great.  Kyle tried them and said they pinched his leg hair.

Other than that, I can’t think of a single reason why I should pay to use gym equipment when I can get all the cardio and weights I want by running outside and using resistance bands in the comfort of my living room. 

Here’s my daily commute.  Not too shabby huh?

True story, I’ve been to the beach every single day since moving to So Cal.  Pacific Ocean, I missed you!