These days, people are tightening the belt on the finances, but it’s not necessary to loosen a notch on the waistband. Gym memberships may be less appealing in down economic times, but there are many affordable fitness options.Jackie Macfarlane, owner of Snap Fitness in Falcon, Colo., said the economy is not affecting her business. “Fitness, in addition to making you feel good about yourself, is also a social thing,” Macfarlane said. “You can come to the gym with a friend and you are spending barely over a dollar a day.”Snap Fitness offers low monthly fees and no down payment. Macfarlane said new customers feel comfortable signing up without the fear of spending money on something they may not use. Existing members already committed to their exercise program often pre-pay to get a discounted rate.In the past few years, Macfarlane said people are becoming more aware of their overall health, rather than focusing on one particular area. She said members are working their core – muscles in the abdomen, lower back and pelvis – and making sure they cross train.Macfarlane also said it’s best to find ways to stay motivated. Signing up for races and participating in competitions at the gym add incentives to stick with or even improve the fitness routine, she said.Dana Monson, group fitness coordinator at VillaSport in Colorado Springs, said exercise classes are another way to stay motivated. She said she encourages her fitness instructors to make a personal connection with class members. “When you have a strong relationship with your instructor, you can trust that you will be taken care of,” Monson said.For members new to group fitness or worried about their coordination, Monson said VillaSport offers a range of class levels, including beginner classes. She said a wider variety of people are taking group classes – even men who traditionally stick to cardio and weight equipment.Monson said she is seeing greater interest in strength training classes and pre-choreographed programs. VillaSport offers Les Mills fitness programs, which include a dance class, mixed-martial arts, strength training and step aerobics. Pre-choreographed classes feature a mix of music specific to the workout routine, she said, adding that it helps class members build confidence and master the routine so they can focus on increasing their heart rate and intensifying their workout.She said the best way to stay motivated is to keep the workout routine fresh.
