Perhaps you’ve decided that you want to do some training. Or you are already training but need to save money and time. You might consider the Bodylastics home fitness training system that features resistance elastic bands. Blake Kessel was the original inventor of this system, and it was released for sale in 1998. The total number of customers is over 120,000.
Since 2004, I’ve been a Michigan wintertime member at the YMCA. The program is run by a certified personal trainer. I was a survivor of prostate cancer and recognized the importance to keep in shape so that the disease does not return. My exercise is limited to about 100 rounds of golf during the summer. After becoming dissatisfied with the YMCA’s time- and cost-intensive program, I began to look for alternatives. After hearing so much about Bodylastics, I decided to do some comparisons. This is how the Bodylastics system compares in terms of effectiveness, cost and efficiency.
Are Bodylastics able to replace free weights or weight machines at a gym like the YMCA?
My year starts at the Y with 30-60 minutes with a personal coach. She puts together an exercise program that best keeps me in good health ( I am not a muscle builder, but simply want to be in reasonably good shape) These exercises make use of the myriad machines available and generally consist of 3 different machines for the legs, and nine different machines for the back, shoulder, and arms. You can also use the free weights. Total time to perform these exercises usually is 20-25 minutes, followed by a cardiovascular routine that consists of fast walking laps on the indoor track for about an hour. Bodylastics had at least 140 exercise options, most of which were duplicates of the ones at the YMCA. The Bodylastics special is the best in terms of resistance. “quick clip system”Allows quick modifications to various exercises and allows you to add up to seven resistance bands for maximum resistance.
Although the Bodylastics program is considered to be a great weight resistance training tool, it still has some disadvantages. one negative…..it is not designed to provide cardiovascular exercise, such as at the Y’s indoor track. It is possible to substitute for it by simply moving outside, or even purchasing an indoor track at the Y. Michigan has a lot of outdoor walking opportunities, except on snowy or cold days. The Bodylastics may not be able to cover this area.
Price:
The basic Bodylastics unit is for average strength beginners. Upgrades to $59.95 are available for people with greater strength and $99.82 are for extremely strong individuals. This is how you would compare to joining a gym. I am referring to the YMCA. A monthly membership costs $44/month. It includes cardiovascular training as well as weight training. The monthly membership fees are $44 per month. These last four areas are not my favorite.
Take a trip:
Distance from my house was approximately 6.9 miles. Round trip distance is about 14 miles. Travel costs for me were $6.15/week or $30.80/month with a 22 MPG and an exercise frequency of five times per week. Gasoline was $2.25 per gallon and my average mileage of 22 miles. It costs $185.00 for 6 months of membership.
The total cost for the YMCA membership and travel costs for six months is $449.00. This is in contrast to the initial Bodylasts cost of $49.95. It is a one-time expense. This is an enormous difference, it’s obvious.
Time efficiency:
A daily round trip of 20 minutes to the YMCA is not required for bodylastics. If there are snowflies or icy roads, this trip could take much longer. Check in at the gym is quick and easy. You can also change into your workout clothes while you wait for your machine to turn on.
The most time-saving opportunities are when you’re out of town. It is here that I need to find the nearest YMCA and pay a fee. It can easily be carried in a bag weighing 3 lbs and attached to a door.
Bodylastics seems to have the edge over a similar gym program, such as the YMCA. The program duplicates the equipment and offers weight loss savings. However, there are two downsides to this product: the absence of an indoor track to get a great cardiovascular workout and the inability to find people with whom to exercise to keep you motivated. Bodylastics’ 60-day guarantee is sufficient to motivate you and help you get your cardio workout. You should choose the right exercise program, no matter how complicated. Don’t delay. It is essential for one’s own health, as I found.
