Annabel investigates… is it worth investing in an exercise regime?
With the start of the year well under way, it’s important to take this time to consider the best options financially and where you will be investing your money this year. At this time of year, as fitness professionals we often hear the excuses “I don’t have the time” or “I don’t have the money”. These are the two main reasons why individuals don’t believe they can invest in an exercise regime. Today, Annabel and the Longevity Exercise Physiology teams at Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble, Balmain and Neutral Bay are going investigate the main reasons why exercise should be at the top of your investment list for 2022.
A quote that I will start with to get you all thinking about your investment choices for this year,
“You’re the only person that can invest the time, energy, and money into your own health. And that’s devastatingly important—because at the end of the day you will not be able to buy your health back.”
You now need to focus on what you are going to invest in this year.
Everyone knows the overall benefits from participating in physical activity. This ranges from the physical and psychological benefits but also the financial benefits are some of the greatest returns, both the short and longer term. While it may not be seen as financially viable to invest in fitness in the shorter term, the longer-term advantages far out way the negative consequences that can come with not participating in regular physical activity. Let’s explore the financial savings longer term and why the best thing to invest in is exercise for 2022.
Is there a correlation between productivity and salary? Firstly, when we investigate individuals’ productivity rates, in those who complete physical activity on a weekly/daily basis compared to those who are more sedentary.
A study by Coulson, McKenna and Field, has been able to identify that completing exercise during the working day has not only been shown to improve wellbeing but also a 72% increase in time management and workload completed over the day.
In fact, the same study identified that completing lower intensity activity is better for improvements in productivity than higher intensity. Due to increased productivity, a study within the Journal of Labour Research, shows that employees
who exercise regularly earn approximately 9 percent more than those who do not (Lipman, 2012). Therefore, we can identify that when you’re working out regularly, you’re increasing your productivity, in turn, increasing the blood flow to your brain, sharpening your awareness and consequently, boosting your performance at work. Better performance = better pay-check.
When looking at the price tag on some gym memberships and purchasing healthy food options they can be daunting. They are often seen as an expensive investment, but sickness, medications, and doctor’s visits can add up over time. Investing in health now can save money in the future and can create positive impacts on longer term finances including reducing hospital visits, lowering the risk of chronic conditions, improving your immune system, and reducing health insurance costs. The earlier we can begin a physical activity regime, the less money we need to be spending on medication, doctors’ visits, surgery costs etc.
Physical inactivity costs not only the individual but the government a considerable amount of money each year.
If more Australians were physically active for just 30 minutes a day the Australian healthcare system could save $1.5 billion a year, whilst creating a healthier community. Physical inactivity can lead to health conditions such as coronary heart disease, obesity, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, mental health conditions and falls. Individually, a study has found that, on average, a person who walks or otherwise exercises for 150 minutes each week spends $2,500 less each year on medical expenses than those who fail to reach that threshold (The Lancet ). By being able to start an exercise regime early will save you financially in the future.
As outlined above, by being able to invest in physical activity, this will lead to further longer-term improvements in an individual’s financial position. Improvements in overall productivity rates in individuals, leads to higher salaries in both men and women. Higher rates of physical activity decrease chronic conditions and decreases in medical appointments and bills associated with hospital visits. Health really is the best investment, so take those steps to invest into your health right now!
If you want to invest in exercise and get on top of your health goals this year, give Longevity Exercise Physiology Edgecliff, Pymble, Marrickville, Randwick, Drummoyne, Balmain, Bella Vista, and Neutral Bay a call on 1300 964 002 to book in a session today.
Written by Annabel Bergman
References
Ding, D., Lawson, K., Kolbe-Alexander, T., Finkelstein, E., Katzmarzyk, P., van Mechelen, W. and Pratt, M., 2016. The economic burden of physical inactivity: a global analysis of major non-communicable diseases. The Lancet, 388(10051), pp.1311-1324.
Coulson, J., McKenna, J. and Field, M., 2008. Exercising at work and self‐reported work performance. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 1(3), pp.176-197.
The cost of physical inactivity What is the lack of participation in physical activity costing Australia?. [ebook] Medibank Private Limited. Available at: <http://www.medibank.com.au/Client/Documents/Pdfs/pyhsical_inactivity.pdf> [Accessed 19 January 2022].
Lipman, V., 2012. New Study Links Exercise To Higher Pay. Forbes, [online] Available at: <https://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2012/06/08/new-study-links-exercise-to-higher-pay/?sh=130e493b5db6> [Accessed 19 January 2022].