I’ve been thinking about this for the last few weeks as I’ve been swimming for exercise. While I’ve always thought of running as a (fairly) cheap form of exercise, and thus possibly one that most people could do, assuming their health permits, that’s not entirely true. Aside from gear—which can go from super cheap $50 running shoes, plus running clothes from Walmart or Target (and believe me, you can spend a whole lot more), you’ve also got to have access to a safe place to run.
I’ve run in some sketchy neighborhoods, but I know that’s not something everyone would feel safe doing. I run super early when hardly anyone is around, I vary my routes and while not all the areas have sidewalks, the streets are decently lit. I don’t run on trails (personal preference and not because of safety concerns) although there are a few trails within a short 5 to 10-minute drive. But if I lived in the inner city (and when I did live in Boston), traffic becomes a much larger concern as does dodging people out and about walking on the sidewalks.
Swimming is especially problematic, I think. First you have to have access to a pool, and then you need swim lessons. With running, even if your running form is awful, you can do it. You may end up with some injuries but barring a car accident or a cardiac event, you won’t die. You’ll just hurt. Swimming isn’t like that, so lessons are pretty much required. And those cost money. Plus if you took lessons when you were a kid, the way I did, someone has to haul you there and back. And you need a swim suit, and probably a swim cap, and maybe goggles and no slip shoes to wear around the pool. Those are pretty big economic hurdles.
Case in point, here’s roughly what I’ve spent to gear up for swimming:
So I've spent $197 for gear plus another $612 for the year of access to the pool. I can afford it, although not without a wince. And I already know how to swim or I’d have had to go to a different gym and pay for lessons.
I’m lucky and I know it.
I’ve run in some sketchy neighborhoods, but I know that’s not something everyone would feel safe doing. I run super early when hardly anyone is around, I vary my routes and while not all the areas have sidewalks, the streets are decently lit. I don’t run on trails (personal preference and not because of safety concerns) although there are a few trails within a short 5 to 10-minute drive. But if I lived in the inner city (and when I did live in Boston), traffic becomes a much larger concern as does dodging people out and about walking on the sidewalks.
Swimming is especially problematic, I think. First you have to have access to a pool, and then you need swim lessons. With running, even if your running form is awful, you can do it. You may end up with some injuries but barring a car accident or a cardiac event, you won’t die. You’ll just hurt. Swimming isn’t like that, so lessons are pretty much required. And those cost money. Plus if you took lessons when you were a kid, the way I did, someone has to haul you there and back. And you need a swim suit, and probably a swim cap, and maybe goggles and no slip shoes to wear around the pool. Those are pretty big economic hurdles.
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| Yes, I'm reusing this photo. You're looking at $69 worth of gear. |
- Speedo one-piece suit: $78 (that was an eye opener, seems they rarely if ever go on sale)
- Land’s End two piece tankini that’s suitable for swimming laps, so not a loose floaty thing: $50 (and that was a sale purchase)
- EVA Birkenstock shoes (look like the old school Dr. Scholl’s I wore in high school and don’t slip): $29 (I don’t own flipflops that would work)
- Goggles: $23 and $35. I wear the $23 version, but tried the $35 version so they can’t be returned—a sunk cost for sure.
- Swim cap: $11
- Gym with a pool membership: $51 a month or $612 for the year (had to commit to a full year to get that price)
So I've spent $197 for gear plus another $612 for the year of access to the pool. I can afford it, although not without a wince. And I already know how to swim or I’d have had to go to a different gym and pay for lessons.
I’m lucky and I know it.
1 comment:
The other thing that gets me about swimming is how inaccessible most of the area pools are. The one at the "Rehabilitation and Wellness Center" where I did my most recent physical therapy has 7-inch stair steps! For perspective, the biggest step I got to during therapy was a 5-inch step.
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