New fitness gadgets are nice, but you don’t need them to start your fitness journey this year
A male acquaintance eagerly recommended that I get this fantastic portable bottled oxygen mask that "all the athletes are wearing" after learning that I will be hiking the Inca Trail in Peru. Naturally, I laughed at the notion. While the four-day walk to Machu Picchu is challenging for someone who lives at sea level like me, it is hardly comparable to the Everest peak, which is more than 4,000 miles higher than the highest point of the Peruvian path. Extra oxygen could have been a bit excessive, especially considering that I don't have any respiratory conditions.
But his response is not unusual. Not because he doesn't know anything about hiking, but rather because there's a sense these days that having the most up-to-date exercise gear and technologies would somehow make it simpler for us to gain muscle mass, shed extra pounds more quickly, or master a new talent. He subsequently declared that he was going to learn to ride a motorbike and that he was going to start by purchasing a good amount of gear that he said he "needed" for training, further demonstrating my argument.
In actuality, many of us merely spend all that money on workout equipment that ends up sitting around collecting dust, similar to an unused gym membership. We really don't need to spend a good amount of money to keep active and get healthy, unless we're elite athletes practicing for a competition or climbing a famously treacherous mountain that has killed hundreds of people. Many of us may not even need that pricey gym membership to reach our fitness goals, as the COVID epidemic has demonstrated
In reality, when I was preparing for my walk last year, I was physically fitter than I've ever been in my adult life. I did this by hiking 10 miles a day on the weekends and ascending our neighborhood's 233-step staircase (LA is famous for its secret, ancient stairs) for free. In addition to losing a significant amount of weight, I also felt stronger, healthier, and had improved breathing.
Workout resolve 1: Cease purchasing new fitness equipment to use as incentive.
Don't get me wrong; using fitness tools and equipment is extremely necessary for some exercise regimens and goal-achieving activities. However, you're already going about your fitness resolve the wrong way if you spend a lot of money on an expensive smart studio mirror or a top-notch wristwatch.
Yes, those things could at first inspire you to exercise. However, a study in the International Journal of Public Health found that after just 17.8 days, most people lose up on their New Year's resolutions (opens in new tab). And if you don't start your fitness path, that new gadget will ultimately lose its shine.
For instance, I once owned an exercise bike that fit under my desk but I barely ever used it and finally gave it to a neighbour. I bought it because I sat at my desk for lengthy periods of time working, and it seemed like a promising method to be active while still using a keyboard. However, I was never able to make it work. If anything, it just served to divert me, which caused me to work more slowly and ultimately lose time.
Resolution 2 for fitness: Utilize city services
I enjoy being outside, so climbing the stairs in my apartment and exploring the trails surrounding Los Angeles were perfect for me. In addition, I exercised at home while watching free YouTube fitness videos and using my $12.99 USD Find What Feels Good(opens in new tab) subscription (some Yoga by Adrienne videos, by the way, are also free on YouTube).
I already had my Apple Watch Series 6, a set of $30 JLab Go Air Sport exercise headphones that I found to be far more dependable and comfortable to wear than the pricey Beats Fit Pro, and my $10.99/month Apple Music membership, which was all I needed to complete my training schedule.
That far beyond my pre-pandemic subscription to a pilates studio, which cost $200 or more a month and only allowed for four one-hour sessions. I'm not suggesting you shouldn't buy good equipment; on the other hand, you don't have to pay $1,400 plus $12.99 a month for a Peloton Bike program to be in shape.
In addition to using the stairs and trails this year, I'm also planning to attend public pools, which should only cost $5 to $10 each visit, to improve my swimming (I enjoy swimming and being in the water, but I'm not a great swimmer).
It's important to note that although some gym memberships are pricey, others will just run you about $10 per month (on top of an annual membership fee that most gyms also have). However, there are also public workout parks and outdoor gym stations that are free for everyone to use if you decide to forgo the gym this year like I am, whether it's due to that poisonous gym culture or the fact that everything around is just too darn costly right now. Simply conduct some research.
3rd resolution for fitness: Eat healthy foods
Even if you exercise for two hours every day, poor eating habits will negate all of your hard work. What you put into your body is important, and eating takeaway or fast food every day will still harm you, especially if you want to lose weight.
You should spend more time this year creating healthier meals at home that feature more vegetables than meat. You'll save a good amount of money by doing this because vegetables are less expensive than meats and you won't have to pay an additional $15 to $25 each meal on top of your regular grocery bill, which will help you have a more balanced and nutritious diet.
That should not only assist you in achieving your fitness objectives but also dramatically lower your weekly food budget, enabling you to make more financial savings.
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