No need to spend large sums to exercise

The closure of California Fitness' outlets points to the turbulent economic times that we live in and the need for us to adopt austerity measures in our personal finances ("California Fitness shuts remaining outlets"; last Wednesday).

Why should one have to pay large sums of money to exercise?

I trained for my Individual Physical Proficiency Test on running tracks at the National University of Singapore and neighbourhood sports stadiums.

I did outdoor weights training with my mates from the Kampong Glam Dragon Boat Team at the Singapore Dragon Boat Association premises.

I swam laps at public swimming pools after work, and did martial arts training at the neighbourhood community centre's outdoor basketball court.

My only outlay was for a pair of running shoes, swimming goggles and swimming and exercise attire.

Exercising outdoors is preferable to exercising in air-conditioned gyms. For one thing, it allows you to perspire better, which is desirable from a health perspective.

During this period of financial uncertainty, we need to be more creative in how we spend our money and save for a rainy day.

Woon Wee Min

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 26, 2016, with the headline No need to spend large sums to exercise. Subscribe