So you’ve made the decision to participate in some training, or you’ve been training and are looking for a less expensive and less time-consuming way to train. One area you can explore is the Bodylastics home workout system with resistance bands. This system was developed by Blake Kessel and marketed for the first time in 1998. The total number of customers exceeds 1,200,000.
For the last 4 years I have been a Michigan winter member of the local YMCA and supervised by a system run by a personal trainer there. I was motivated to join because I am a prostate cancer survivor and I recognized the need to stay physically fit to help prevent the cancer from coming back. In the summer I scale my exercise down to about 100 more rounds of golf. After some dissatisfaction with the time and money associated with the YMCA program, I began looking for some alternatives. Having heard a lot about the Bodylastics system, I thought I’d do a comparison. The following is a summary of that comparison in terms of effectiveness, cost, and time efficiency.
Is Bodylastics a suitable substitute for free weights and weight machines in a gym setting like the YMCA?
Every year I start at the Y with a 30-60 minute session with a personal trainer. She devises an exercise program that best keeps me in good health (I’m not a muscle builder but just want to be in reasonably good shape) These exercises make use of the myriad of machines available and generally consist of 3 different machines for which legs, and nine different machines for the back, shoulders, and arms. There is also a small amount of time dedicated to free weights. The total time to perform these exercises is usually 20-25 minutes, followed by a cardio routine consisting of walking sprint laps on the indoor track for about an hour. Looking at Bodylastics, I found that it offered at least 140 different exercises, many of which were double those done at the YMCA. In terms of the amount of resistance, Bodylastics’ special “quick clip system” allows for not only quick changes to different exercises, but also allows up to 7 resistance bands to be added to provide all the resistance needed.
Although the Bodylastics system has compared favorably from a weight resistance training standpoint, there are negative one…..doesn’t offer cardio like the indoor track at the Y. Of course, a substitute is simply walking outside or buying a machine to use at home. In Michigan, you can walk outdoors most of the year, with the exception of a few exceptionally cold and/or snowy days. Therefore, this may be an area that will be limited only by the Bodylastics approach.
Cost:
The basic Bodylastics unit for beginners of average strength is $49.95, with upgrades to $59.95 for those with above-average strength and $99.82 for exceptionally strong individuals. Now let’s compare this to belonging to a gym, specifically, in my case, the YMCA. Monthly membership fees are $44/mo. This includes weight training and cardio, but also a swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, a basketball gym and a skating rink. The last 4 areas I don’t use at all.
Travel:
The distance from my house was 6.9 miles, or a round trip of about 14 miles. With my MPG of 22, average exercise frequency of 5 times per week, and gas cost of $2.25 per gallon, commute costs were $7.15 per week or $30.80 per month. During the 6 months of each year that I am a member, the cost is $185.00.
The YMCA’s total cost for membership and travel for 6 months which doubles each year is $449.00 compared to Bodylast’s stated initial cost of $49.95, a one-time expense. Needless to say, this is a significant difference.
Time Efficiency:
Bodylastics does not require a daily 20 minute round trip to the YMCA. This drive can be considerably longer in Michigan when snow flies or icy roads are encountered. Once at the gym, there is time to sign in, change into workout clothes, and sometimes have to wait to use a machine.
Probably the most significant time savings occur when you’re out of town. This is when I have to look up the local YMCA, figure out how to get there, get there, and then pay a guest fee. With Bodylastics contained in a 3# bag with a door attachment, it can simply be carried and used at any travel destination.
When comparing Bodylastics to a gym program like the YMCA, Bodylastics seems to be the clear winner. Doubles all the strength machines and free weights available in the gym and offers significant savings. There are a couple of negatives though, one being the lack of an indoor track to get a good cardio workout and the lack of people to exercise with to keep you motivated. However, the 60-day money-back guarantee for Bodylastics offers a sufficient period of time to see if you can get motivated and get a cardio workout by walking outside or perhaps buying a machine for your home. Regardless of the exercise program you choose, it is of the utmost importance to choose one. Don’t delay. I have discovered that it is vital for health.
