Of course there are health benefits associated with working out and having a gym membership – losing weight, being fit, and being active. Aside from that, a gym membership will also improve your health and prolong your quality of life. As if those weren’t reasons enough, here are 5 ways joining Recursive Fitness and Nutrition can actually make you money this year!
Mental Acuity
Multiple studies have shown that exercise improves cognitive ability. In his book “Spark” Dr. John Ratey shows how exercise helps improve focus, fight depression, and make better decisions. A sharp mind gives a professional the ability to think through projects, and the entrepreneur the space to develop new ideas, or create a new line of revenue.
Energy and Immunity
People who work out regularly are more productive at work than those who don’t, according to research published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. These same people miss less work. Physical fitness builds immunity and reduces many major health risks. Absences and decreased productivity can mean lost opportunities for advancement and lower-income. Bosses often look unfavorably upon those who are frequently out of work.
How much difference does one promotion make over a career? A study in the Journal of Labor Research found that men who work out regularly make 6% more than their sedentary counterparts on average. For women, the numbers are higher. Women who work out regularly make 10% more on average than those who don’t.
Health Care
A 2012 study by the Journal of the American Heart Association showed a savings of $2500 per year for people that got adequate exercise adjusting that for health care cost rise of 5% per year (est) gives a 2019 savings of $3500.
Taking this a step further, at Recursive we have routinely seen folks stop taking medicines because their symptoms have gone away. This is in agreement with their doctors and usually after achieving body composition and health goals. Some examples (30 day dose): Statins ($36-$600), Metformin (extended) – $235-$1200, Xanax $60-$100. Most folks have health insurance, but are still paying co-pays on these drugs.
Clothing
You may spend less on clothes. The average adult will gain about 2 lbs a year from their 20s through their 50s. What this means is that many of us have about 3 sets of clothes in our closet. What we currently wear, and probably one or two sizes smaller. When our clients are consistent and establish good nutritional patterns we see them drop clothing sizes or have their clothes fit better. One caveat…you won’t be buying bigger clothes, but you may drop some bucks on the smaller ones.
Spend Less on Fast Food
Seventy percent of Americans eat fast food three times per week at an average cost of $12.50 per meal. Our clients who work on establishing healthy nutrition patterns routinely cut that in half by planning ahead and preparing healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. An average savings of $18 per week is another $950 savings.
All of these things add up to a significant amount of saving over the course of a month and year! The cost of a gym membership is certainly more than that of a globo-gym, but the benefit of good Coaching and these savings more than make up for it!