| So you have made up your mind to get into | | | | this may be an area that is going to be limited |
| some training, or you have been training and are | | | | with just the Bodylastics approach. |
| looking for a less expensive and less time | | | | Cost: |
| consuming way to train. One of the areas you | | | | Bodylastics' basic unit for beginners of average |
| might explore is the Bodylastics home training | | | | strength is $49.95, with upgrades to $59.95 for |
| system featuring resistance elastic bands. This | | | | those of above average strength, and $99.82 for |
| system was developed by Blake Kessel and first | | | | exceptionally strong individuals. Now let's compare |
| marketed in 1998. Total customers are over | | | | this to belonging to a gym, specifically, in my case, |
| 1,200,000. | | | | to the YMCA. Monthly membership fees are $44 |
| For the last 4 years, I have been a Michigan | | | | month. This includes weight training and |
| wintertime member of the local YMCA and under | | | | cardiovascular, but also a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, |
| the supervision of a personal trainer directed | | | | basketball gym, and a roller blade rink. The latter |
| system there. My motivation to join was brought | | | | 4 areas I do not use at all. |
| about by my being a prostate cancer survivor | | | | Travel: |
| and recognizing the need to stay in good physical | | | | The distance from my home was 6.9 miles, or a |
| shape to help prevent any return of the cancer. | | | | round trip of approximately 14 miles. With my |
| In the summer I leave my exercise to | | | | MPG of 22, and an average exercise frequency |
| approximately 100 plus rounds of golf. After | | | | of 5 times per week, and cost of gas at $2.25 |
| some dissatisfaction with the time and money | | | | per gallon, travel costs were $7.15 per week, or |
| associated with the YMCA program, I started | | | | $30.80 per month. For the 6 months each year |
| looking for some alternatives. Having heard much | | | | that I am a member, the cost is $185.00. |
| about the Bodylastics system, I thought I would | | | | The total cost of the YMCA for membership and |
| do a comparison. The following is a summary of | | | | travel for 6 months that is duplicated each and |
| that comparison as to effectiveness, cost, and | | | | every year is $449.00 versus the beginning |
| time efficiency. | | | | Bodylasts set cost of $49.95, a one time |
| Is Bodylastics an adequate substitute for free | | | | expenditure. Needless to say, this is a significant |
| weights and weight machines in a gym | | | | difference. |
| atmosphere such as the YMCA? | | | | Time efficiency: |
| Each year I start out at the Y with a 30-60 | | | | Bodylastics does not require a daily 20 minute |
| minute session with a personal trainer. She puts | | | | round trip to the YMCA. This trip can be |
| together an exercise program that best keeps | | | | considerably longer in Michigan when the snow |
| me in good health ( I am not a muscle builder, but | | | | flies, or icy roads are encountered. Once at the |
| simply want to be in reasonably good shape) | | | | gym, there is time check in, change into workout |
| These exercises make use of the myriad | | | | clothes, and sometimes having to wait to use a |
| machines available and generally consist of 3 | | | | machine. |
| different machines for the legs, and nine different | | | | Probably the most significant time savings occur |
| machines for the back, shoulder, and arms. There | | | | when out of town. This is when I have to search |
| is also a small amount of time devoted to free | | | | for the local YMCA, find out how to get there, |
| weights. Total time to perform these exercises | | | | actually get there, and then pay a guest fee. With |
| usually is 20-25 minutes, followed by a | | | | the Bodylastics contained in a 3# bag with a door |
| cardiovascular routine that consists of fast walking | | | | attachment, it can simply be taken to and used at |
| laps on the indoor track for about an hour. In | | | | any travel destination. |
| looking at Bodylastics I found at minimum it | | | | In comparing Bodylastics with a gym program like |
| offered 140 different exercises, many of which | | | | the YMCA, Bodylastics appears to be the clear |
| duplicated the ones done at the YMCA. In terms | | | | winner. It duplicates all the weight machines and |
| of the amount of resistance, the special | | | | free weights available at the gym and it offers |
| Bodylastics "quick clip system" allows not only | | | | significant savings. There are a couple of |
| quick changes to different exercises, but also | | | | negatives, however, one being the lack of an |
| allow adding up to 7 resistance bands to give all | | | | indoor track for getting a good cardiovascular |
| the resistance needed. | | | | workout, and the lack of people to exercise with |
| Even though the Bodylastics system compared | | | | to maintain your motivation. The 60 day money |
| favorable from a weight resistance training | | | | back guarantee for Bodylastics, however, offers |
| standpoint, there is one negative.....it does not | | | | a sufficient period of time to see if you can |
| offer cardiovascular exercise such as the indoor | | | | motivate yourself and get your cardiovascular |
| track at the Y. Of course, a substitute is simply | | | | workout by walking outside or perhaps purchasing |
| walking outside or purchasing a machine for use in | | | | a machine for your home. No matter which |
| the home. In Michigan walking outside is available | | | | exercise program you choose, it is of utmost |
| most of the year with the exception of some | | | | importance to choose one. Don't delay. I have |
| exceptionally cold and/or snow filled days. Thus, | | | | found it is vital to one's health. |