Fitness Mastermind LLC
3 reviews
Claimed
•
Personal Trainers
,
Weight Loss
,
Nutrition & Supplements
512-366-5795
1050 Meadows Dr., Suite 304 Sam Bass Market Center
Round Rock,
TX
78681
verified
Economy Down,Your Waistline Up! Don't Just Tighten Spending...
Apr 07, 2011
Okay, so although today’s weblog is brief, I believe the point of today’s blog&number/data will be clear immediately. As a Fit Pro/Personal Trainer you can almost guarantee that regardless of who is in office, how the economy is doing, or what new “health initiatives” are out there-we’re going to run across some of the same troubles, complications, and financial roadblocks with potential as well as current clients. One of the most prevalent cases I see as a Fit Pro? People overlooking the pros/cons of overlooking their current fitness, until their healthcare has caused their health & fitness to become a desperate need as opposed to a want.
What do I mean by “want VS. need?” Read on.
With the economy how it currently is, people have rightfully so began living very frugally. Regardless of what “class” you fall into, with the current financial climate as well as contradicting predictions on where we will all stand in the coming years, everyone has begun analyzing each aspect of their living, breathing life & trying to determine where we can cut, save, pay less, & make more.
There are particular aspects of our lives that we accept as a “necessity,” and just plan on having to pay for those as they occur. Be it a utility bill, gas to get to work, groceries, and healthcare. But look at those listed & notice the flaw:
· Utility Bill:
o Immediate Measures:
§ We begin making sure we turn off lights when we leave the room
§ We begin using energy efficient appliances, light bulbs, etc.
§ We begin looking more closely at thermostat monitoring.
o Preventative Measures:
§ We begin shopping around for a better rate with a different utility company. You have likely noticed the plethora of “energy companies” calling & emailing & promising to save you $$$. They’re simply trying to solve an issue they see becoming bigger by the day.
§ We begin looking at solar-technology for home, etc.
· Gasoline for Car to get to work:
o Immediate Measure:
§ We begin cutting out longer family trips
§ We begin carpooling with co-workers and friends to split the costs.
o Preventative Measure:
§ We begin looking at trading in our vehicles for more gas worthy cars, even electric cars (not me!).
· Groceries:
o Immediate Measures:
§ We eliminate family nights out at restaurants etc.
§ We start eating “less healthy” foods because it is clear-Healthier food cost more than unhealthy processed foods.
o Preventative Measures:
§ We start buying off-brand foods and cooking more large portion meals of which are less $$$ if bought in bulk.
§ We begin searching the coupons, looking for the biggest deals because the battling grocery stores have to compete after all.
· Healthcare:
o Immediate Measures:
§ We search & call around for the best rates, regardless of coverage.
§ We begin eliminating particular aspects of the insurance. We keep the medical, but eliminate the vision because “everyone in our family has perfect vision.”
§ We take the smallest deductable because it gives us the lowest monthly payment.
o Preventative Measures:
§ (image-NO clue)
You see the problem here? With the economy the way it is, we are all living with a tighter budget and a closer watch over each dollar we have. But upon analyzing our budgets & watching our buck, we take “immediate measures” on every aspect of our being, but fail to take “preventative measures” on the aspect of our being that means the most, and quite frankly IS our being-OUR HEALTH!
What is a “Preventative Measure?” According to Answers.Com: It's when there is something you're trying to stop (prevent) from happening, so you take a preventive measure (do something) to stop the thing you think might happen.
QUICK FACT: Did you know recent studies have found that the United States could save about $76.6 billion on healthcare if everyone in the United States would spend time exercising? How’s that for fixing the deficit!
According to CMS Annual Statistics, adults 30-65 years of age who don’t exercise regularly will pay an average of $2-4.5k MORE per year, than those healthy adults (30-65 years of age). That isn’t even considering the cost of healthcare alone, those numbers are simply out of pocket medical bills paid (co-pay etc.) by those healthy versus unhealthy! Further studies are warranted to get more exact data obviously, but a recent study performed at Macmillan University showed the clear data comparisons that really clarify the difference:
· Average Out-Of-Pocket Medical Expenses Annually:
o Unhealthy Adult 30-65 yrs old: $6,800.00
o Healthy Adult 30-65 yrs old: $2,400.00
o Difference of $4,400.00 annually
Consider this, assuming the accuracy of the above, you can save $4,400.00 annually by simply exercising and being more healthy.
SOOOO, wouldn’t exercising and being/becoming healthier suffice as a “preventative measure” we discussed above, in terms of healthcare costs?
Not even mentioning or considering the additional benefits, simply viewing the financial aspect of the decision, isn’t the choice clear? As I ranted in the beginning of this post, we tighten our spending and begin cutting costs where we can-simply to survive during these crazy economic times. We look for every chance we have to use “immediate measures” to save here and there, and change particular aspects of our everyday life to create sustainable “preventative measures.”
If the average Out-Of-Pocket medical expenses for an unhealthy adult (30-65 yrs old) is approximately $6,800.00 annually,
· Average annual Boot Camp membership: $1,200.00
· Average Personal Training Costs annually (2x/week): $4,800.00
· Average Gym Membership annually: $1,500.00
· Obviously you don’t need a trainer, a boot camp, or even a gym membership to start exercising & get fit…annual cost: $0.00
So don’t cut the cost/avoid the cost of your fitness via trainer, boot camp, and/or gym membership. You may save yourself a couple thousand annually (if that), but in the long run you’re losing $4,400.00 more!
If not for your own health and well-being, your desire to look & feel better, or even just having a stress-relieving appointment a few times a week…Start getting fit & exercise today simply to save yourself some dough (see the YouTube Video To The Left)!
If not for your own health and well-being, your desire to look & feel better, or even just having a stress-relieving appointment a few times a week…Start getting fit & exercise today simply to save yourself some dough (see the YouTube Video To The Left)!
Take-Home Message?
It’s simple, Step By Step Playback:
1. Start exercising
2. Get Healthy & Fit
3. Save an Average Of $4,400.00 annually on Healthcare Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
4. (if you do) Spend Roughly $2,000.00 on Fitness Training
5. Net Savings of $2,400.00 annually.
Until Next Time!
Keep it Fit,
Fitness Mastermind, LLC
