Journal of Healthy Living

Why Going to the Gym Saves You Money

There are many quality of life reasons for going to the gym, or at least being active on a regular basis, but there are also some clearly financial ones as well. While none of these require you to go the gym, the fact of the matter is that going to the gym is the easiest and most obvious way for most of us to get a workout. You don’t have to pay a pricey membership, but they provide the tools and the resources to be as efficient as you can with your time (if you go!).

Health Insurance

If you get insurance through your company, this won’t affect you quite as much (especially if you work in a large company). If you buy it independently, your weight will impact how much you pay for insurance. The more you weigh, as calculated by BMI, the more you’ll pay because you’re a greater insurance risk. This makes sense right? The more weight your body carriers around, the more wear and tear on your joints, on your organs, and that increases the likelihood you’ll need insurance for something.

Life Insurance

If you’ve ever been quoted life insurance, you probably know that the price you pay, in part, depends on how healthy you are. The healthier your weight, the cheaper your insurance is and can mean a savings of hundreds of dollars a year. If you have life insurance already, you can’t get it adjusted for your weight but if you haven’t purchased it, or have the opportunity to review it, hitting the gym and making yourself more attractive to insurers is a good idea.

Routine Maintenance

Think about all the things you sit in, the clothes you wear, and the things you use. How many are affected by your body size? It seems somewhat trivial but the more you weigh, the shorter your item’s lifespan. Chairs wear down faster, your shoes break down, your body creates indentations in your mattress faster, your car seats get worn down quicker, and your clothes fall apart sooner. The less weight you carry, the less wear you put on both yourself and the things you use.

Your Job

This isn’t fair but it’s true – better looking people get paid more, 12% more to be exact. “The main reason for the apparent victory of the lookers is that they are seen as more helpful and co-operative.”

There are four reasons why you should hit the gym to help your wallet, but don’t pay a pricey membership that you won’t use. Be smart about it since you can always run outside for free!