whole body market

In these economically challenging times, there is a steady decline in how people spend their money on health and fitness. People polled have said that they will cut back on personal trainers and gym memberships as well as expensive workout clothes and equipment in order to save money. Unfortunately, this could mean the possibility of growing waistlines and an increased trend towards being sedentary. Those that are devoted to staying healthy and fit will find ways to get out and exercise, but there is a population of gym goers that need some ideas on how to stay fit on a budget.

Having recently encountered a book called The E2 Diet, this writer can say without a doubt, there is a great way to exercise, lose weight and have fun doing it that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. As a matter of fact, it won’t cost you a thing except a small amount of time and a smidgen of commitment. What is this amazing new way to exercise? It’s not new at all and we have done each one of these exercises in our elementary phys-ed classes. It’s good old fashioned calisthenics.

The Engine2 diet book is dedicated to providing the knowledge and information to live a plant-strong life (translation: vegan diet) to lower cholesterol, prevent disease, lose weight, feel better and live longer. The author, Rip Esselstyn is a plant-loving triathlete working as an Austin firefighter and is the absolute epitome of health, fitness and strength. But for the sake of this article, I am going to focus not on the fabulous diet, but the relatively small section of exercises he provides in the book.

Taken right from the firefighters training routines and filled with jumping jacks, squat thrusts, push-ups and triceps dips, these exercises are familiar and easy to master. The two main components of the exercise routine work the cardiovascular and muscular systems. The workout is broken down into three sets of four exercises with each set consisting of strength, core and cardio moves. Fun and challenging, these exercises require no equipment and use your own body weight for resistance.

This morning, I got my husband, two and six year old daughters to join me in my E2 workout. We all laughed as we jumped around and exercised. We felt pretty spent when we were through! Family time and good exercise? A perfect combo. This is not to say that there isn’t a place for gym memberships and as a personal trainer myself, I can say that there is definitely a place for workout appointments with a trained professional. But these times call for creative thinking and new ways to keeping fitness in our lives. Rip Esselstyn and his E2 diet are paving the way to better health on a budget.