This. Also, working out and drinking can both be expensive (gym membership, bars, etc)
I'm a pretty hardcore runner (but also hate buying unnecessary things) and spend thousands of dollars a year on shoes and shorts. I weigh 200 pounds and run 300km per month, shoes do not last, and good ones make a difference. And again, I'm only able to have the time to do it due to life circumstances that haven't burdened me with other responsibilities.
Most other sports have gear or memberships that make them more expensive. Many people can't stick to a regular workout regimen and a lot of people I know only were able to when they paid big bucks for a personal trainer.
Yeah, it's possible to work out without money, but I wouldn't pretend it's free, and it only gets easier with money.
I do think running is probably easier for middle-class people to get into, not because of the equipment (it’s fine if it works for you, but I have no idea how you could spend that much — few will need to). I think middle-class people just are a lot more likely to be living in places that are nice to run around in.
But there are many forms of exercise and various options for limited space and budgets. Bodyweight/calisthenics, e.g., and basic weight-lifting.
I don't agree. Money buys a nanny, a housekeeper, uber eats, shorter commute or work from home... all of these can be a major factor in having the time and focus to exercise regularly.
Facepalm.
Get raw grains, get basic non-fancy non-organic veggies. Frozen or canned is fine.
If you eat meat, don't be shy about using cheaper cuts. Trimming meat is easy.
Trainers are great, but most people get trainers to help with motivation. You can also usually snag a free or very cheap single lesson with a trainer if you need particular things (nutrition, form) spot checked.
You really don't need to spend much.
Assuming poor and rich people have exact same level of motivation, this alone is guaranteed to lead to poor people exercising less.
From own experience, exercising by myself do tend to lead to repetitive routine that plateau pretty fast and gets demotivating due to no progress. But I used app rather then trainer.
You don't need to make continual progress to get benefits from exercise. You just need to be active.
And from what I observed, I am not special snowflake in that regard.
It's very non-free in terms of time investment and spoons ([0]).
Body-weight fitness, walking, jogging, running, hiking, swimming are all "free" to perform, but gear can be super expensive - take skiing, biking, water sports for example.
I recently went to a local bike shop (two in fact) and the average cost of a new modern bike is around ~$5,000.
There was one bike that I was looking at that was $15,000
Crazy expensive weekend warrior gear.
5k should get you a super nice bike, stylish, modern and all that. Diminishing returns probably start well under half that.
Edit— I do know of a 14k bike, the Rene Hearse 80th anniversary edition. Handbuilt custom, and there are going to be 8 of them. I’d love to ride one, but … that’s a lot of money.
He charges typically around $16,000 for his creations. They are AMAZING looking bikes - but not my style at all.
The one I mentioned that was at Mikes Bikes in Folsom, was $15K - I cant recall the brand of that one, but it was a massive full suspension plus electric.
The Specialized there that was ~$12K was also full suspension electric..
The other high end store which is in downtown RoseVille...
Both places with lots of money... rich weekend warriors.