Save Time and Money by Working Out Every Other Day

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Did you make a New Years Resolution to be fitter in 2008? Are you currently working out 5-6 times a week? Do you want to simplify your workout and save money at the same time?

Working out will keep you healthy and being healthy will save you money in the long term. But it is a big commitment and requires a lot of time and energy. If you are currently working out 5-6 times a week, and especially if you alternate cardio and weightlifting days, I highly recommend switching to a program in which you work out every other day for a longer period of time.

How it works:

Let’s say you currently workout 6 times a week. On MWF, you do 40 minutes of cardio. On TTRS, you do 40 minutes of weightlifting. If you switch to an every other day program, you would do both cardio and weightlifting on MWF for an hour and a half (with stretching) total, and the rest of the days you have off. Do your weightlifting first, and then the cardio, as this burns more fat.

There are several advantages to working out every other day for a longer period of time:

1) It saves you lots of time. Let’s say it take you 15 minutes to get ready for the gym and 10 minutes to drive to the gym. Then it takes you 10 minutes to drive home. If you work out 6 times a week, this means you are spending 3.5 hours every week just getting to the gym! It’s madness to drive 10 minutes to a gym, work out for 30 minutes, and then drive 10 minutes back. By switching to an every other day plan, you can cut this time in half. That could mean an hour and 45 minutes more time a week, or almost 4 full days a year! What would you do with 4 extra days?

2) Save money on gas. See above.

3) Save money on laundry detergent and workout clothes. By working out every other day, you cut your dirty exercise clothes in half. Which means less loads of laundry and less detergent and water costs. Also, depending on how often you do laundry, working out every other day means you only need 1-2 workout outfits. And they’ll last longer because you are washing them fewer times.

4) It keeps you from getting burned out. I love to go to the gym, but even I sometimes get burned out. Going to the gym every other day makes it seem like less of a drag. And on the days you do workout, it motivates you to hit it hard, since you know the next day you get a break.

5) It gives your body a full day of rest. Having your muscles recover is an essential part of building them up.

The only downside of this plan is that getting motivated for your cardio after a tough session of lifting weights is sometimes difficult. But you can push through it. The benefit of extra time and money make it worth the effort.

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18 Comments

1. Christine on 31.01.2008 at 06:28 (Reply)

   Great post

   I took up running in November, as a way to de-stress while studying, and now I’m completely hooked. I run at least 5 times a week now. I’m lucky in that my building has a gym (I live in Canada, so it’s way too cold/slippery to run outside right now), so I don’t have the communting issue to worry about - but it amazes me how much more laundry I have to do! I also had to spend money on running-friendly clothing (I found out the hard way that yoga pants tend to fall down during a run. lol.), which was another fitness expense.

   On the balance, I’m very glad to have taken up running - but I don’t think that most people realize the financial downside of fitness!

2. Justin on 31.01.2008 at 07:28 (Reply)

   This is a good idea that I’ll think about. The de-stress factor is huge for me as well. Plus, it helps me justify eating

   I lost a lot of weight running nearly every day and lifting 3 times a week, so this might be a stretch for me.

3. Katie (Mrs. FLS) on 31.01.2008 at 10:05 (Reply)

   Christine-Yup, between gym membership fees and workout clothes, the costs of staying in shape can really add up. The only consolation is that you may save money on health care costs over your lifetime.

   If you run every day than obviously the every other day program wouldn’t be for you. Because you can’t just alternate days and double your running time! But if you get burned out on running, trying mixing in some weight lifting to your fitness plan. You may find yourself equally hooked.

4. Katie (Mrs. FLS) on 31.01.2008 at 10:07 (Reply)

   Justin-If you already workout with both running and lifting everyday, the every other day workout might nor be for you. Working out every other day for 2 hours or so could get daunting.

   You might consider shorter but high intensity workouts. They’re excellent at keeping the weight off and they save you a lot of time. But they do involve putting yourself in greater pain.

5. strange bird on 31.01.2008 at 20:53 (Reply)

   Another thing! At least in CA, some gyms have cheaper rates for half-time memberships: you can join on a M-W-F plan, for example, and pay less than you would for a regular membership.

6. Katie (Mrs. FLS) on 31.01.2008 at 21:56 (Reply)

   Thanks Strange Bird, that’s a great tip. I was going to mention it and totally forgot.

7. Farhod Azarbaydjani on 01.02.2008 at 23:09 (Reply)

   Do you have any tips for a first year law student who spent too much time studying and not enough time in the gym.

8. Katie (Mrs. FLS) on 03.02.2008 at 15:09 (Reply)

   Farhod-

   Check out www.stronglifts.com. My husband and I are both doing the free, very simple, very effective workout the author of the site has created. Last semester my husband was a 2nd year law student who spent too much time studying and not enough time in the gym. He has really gotten great results with the workout.

9. Laurie on 16.02.2008 at 20:17 (Reply)

   Running can be one of the least expensive ways to stay in shape and works as a great energizer in the late afternoon if you have evening classes. If you can run outdoors, from home, you can eliminate gym costs, although it isn’t an option for everyone. (not me, I work and go to school an hour and a half from home) It is also a great way to get outside to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine!
   Since starting law school this fall, I have had to cut back on my running and I have found that this has been the most difficult adjustment I have had to make!!
   Love to run! Run to love!

10. paulette on 24.02.2008 at 06:24 (Reply)

    You are right about that. Sometimes routine works can burn us out. I also go to the gym and its really tiring if its everyday plus the laundry. I’ll take your suggestion.

11. anti aging guru on 20.03.2008 at 14:11 (Reply)

    My issue is I’m addicted to my workout sessions as I find them very cathartic and without them I’d go bonkers…. The money spent is well worth it for me… at least

12. Priit on 23.03.2008 at 14:05 (Reply)

    Save Time & Money by reading every other post of The Frugal Law Student!

13. JB Yates on 07.04.2008 at 13:20 (Reply)

    I actually save more money by working out almost every week day. Since my gym is 1/2 a block away from my office, I find that working out during lunch stops me from going to expensive lunches with co-workers (usually $15-$20 per day).

    Before I started my gym membership I use to go out to lunch 3 times a week on average. Now I know that I won’t have time to work out AND go out to eat, so I save approximately $40-60 per week by working out. Since my savings is $120-$240 per month, the $29 for my gym membership seems worth it. Fortunately, since my gym is so close to work I don’t have additional gas or traveling costs associated with my everyday habit.

14. Thanks to Some Interesting Personal Finance Sites » Money Smart Life on 02.06.2008 at 07:21

    […] Law Student – Save Time & Money by Working Out Written on June 2, 2008 Under » Personal Finance Related ArticlesPersonal […]

15. komodo dragon on 15.06.2008 at 07:16 (Reply)

    i personally am a fan of running , its very cheap and more importantly a great way to improve your physical and mental health

16. komodo dragon on 16.06.2008 at 20:12 (Reply)

    its important to work out 1 it will save you lots of money in health bills to keep yourself in shape and in good health!

17. Genesis Bible on 17.06.2008 at 14:37 (Reply)

    yes .. i did make that new years resolution , i am trying to work out as much as possible !

18. Ken on 20.06.2008 at 11:44 (Reply)

    I can understand cutting the gym memberships. I cut mine recently and saved $35 plus the gas to and from. I found working out at home to be just as good. I liked dailyfitnesstrainer.com, which showed me a bunch of free 3 second video clips of home exercises plus a daily workout updated each day for advanced or beginners.

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