Gym & the Cost of Living
The economy’s in a bit of a rough spot right now. Many people are looking for ways to cut their monthly expenses: subscriptions, social life, gym, or something else. The truth is, it can be hard to know which to prioritise and which to drop!
The gym is unique because it’s a one-off monthly expenditure with substantial health benefits. We think it’s even more important to prioritise your exercise during times of stress, so here are some reasons to prioritise your gym subscription if you can.
Mental health
Regular exercise is key for prioritising your mental well-being. Working out directly works to reduce your stress and has a proven positive impact on those with mild to moderate depression, according to the NHS.
Visiting a gym also increases the feeling of community with other like-minded gym-goers. Group classes, in particular, can positively impact feelings of isolation or burnout.
Another reason to put your money in a gym, rather than trying out home workouts, is that it gets you out of the house. This is so important during the era of ‘Work from Home’ employment, which means people are automatically moving less and, from this, losing motivation both at work and in their personal lives.
This is especially important during a cost of living crisis. If you’ve had to scale back on any social outings and events due to their cost, the community feeling and interactions on the gym floor will provide a similar level of positive engagement.
Read more about looking after your mental health this winter here!
Compounded cost
According to MoneyHelper, the average gym membership cost in the United Kingdom is £40 monthly. At Beckwith Gym, it is even lower at just £37.50! While this could sound like a lot as an isolated figure, that’s the same as £4.50 a visit if you go twice a week, and even less if you come in more often! Remember, at Beckwith Gym, all our classes are included in your membership; this saves you from paying more for classes like yoga, Pilates, Bootcamp, etc.!
If you compare this to your average meal out, which could be anywhere between £15-40 without drinks, an evening in the gym will boost your health and your wallet.
Again, this is key if you’ve decided to cut down on social outings or drinking to save money. Instead of having a few drinks at the pub and feeling rubbish the next day, you can save that money, head to a fun gym class, and feel great the next day.
From this lens, spending on a gym membership rather than a few drinks is an investment in your health. Financial and physical!
Avoid burnout
Burnout is a health condition caused by chronic workplace stress. It’s increasingly common and can cause substantial mental health pressure. It can also affect your job security if you can no longer perform at work.
Job stability is the main route when we think of ways to maintain our financial health through a heightened cost of living. A regular paycheck is essential for maintaining your standard of living and managing your stress about rising costs.
Burnout can affect this stability, and one of the best ways to tackle it is exercise. (As well as workplace boundaries, that’s not our topic of expertise!)
Regularly visiting the gym will help reinforce your workplace boundaries by not working too late and reducing your stress levels so you don’t get overwhelmed. It’s definitely one to prioritise!
Group of smiling ladies after a gym class workout
Safeguard your Physical Wellbeing
Last but certainly not least, it’s always the right time to prioritise your physical health. Stable health is vital for us to live a good day-to-day life, and the best way to futureproof your health is through regular exercise and a balanced diet.
(Check out our top nutrition tips here!)
Visiting a gym environment safely pushes you to exercise your best, thanks to the fantastic range of equipment. Our staff are always on hand to support you, so you can ask for help if you’d like some personal training or advice.
