Green gyms: Keeping healthy at no cost
Keeping fit and healthy is doubly important in an age of processed foods and pollutants. But instead of spending good money on a gym membership, keep fit the frugal way and get some fresh air by heading out to free ‘green gyms’ around the Klang Valley. Green gyms are outdoor gyms at the local parks and are a good substitute for normal membership gyms. Although, you find fancy electronic treadmills and imported weights; you can be rest assured keeping fit will still be possible.
Here are just some of the benefits that come with heading to your local park as opposed to the gym.
No membership fee is required
Green gyms are open to the public so you can save a whopping amount every month on expensive gym memberships. The cost of a gym membership averages about RM130 to RM190 a month and for many fresh graduates and those in the lower income bracket - this may not be an amount they can comfortably afford. But even if you can afford it why not save the money for something else?
An outdoor gym such as the one at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa is sheltered and boasts an actual, albeit simplified, version of equipment one would normally find in a normal gym.
Juggling family with exercise
Those with children might find it hard to allocate time for their work out routine considering they have to factor in babysitting availability. Many gyms will charge parents for bringing kids along to their workouts. Because green gyms are set up in parks, you can bring along your child with you. There is usually a playground nearby to keep your tyke busy whilst you work out.
Making exercise a family activity will not encourage young children to emulate healthy practices from early on but will also allow you to spend quality time together.
A great place for shy health enthusiasts
Commercial gyms can sometimes be demotivating and intimidating when plenty, fit, body-builders surround you; outdoing your crunches with six pack abs and easily lifting twice the weights you can. For those who are not concerned with appearances; this won’t affect their workout but for the conscious, the feeling of inadequacy can be very discouraging.
Green gyms in parks are usually frequented by regular health enthusiasts who aren’t necessarily looking to be the next weightlifting champion.
All in all…
The best part of frequenting green gyms is that it is free. No need to worry about membership fees or any other hidden gym costs. However, there’s always a reason it is free: green gyms don’t have fancy electronic treadmills or weight training machines. You will also lose out on having a professional trainer to advise you on routines and best tips for weight loss if needed.
But if that isn’t what you are looking for, you should be just fine with your green gym – and richer for it too.
Picture courtesy of Feelart at Freedigitalphotos.net.
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