How's this for workout incentive? Fork out $10 for every day missed!

Gym-Pact: Enforced Fitness

There comes a times, in all of our lives, that we just need some sort of incentive to work out and get healthy.  Some people choose to purchase a new book or a new pair of jeans when they hit a goal, or they may even treat themselves to a day at the spa!

Last night, I was helping out my friends Anne and Scott, when Scott mentioned a very rare workout enforcement program.  I asked him to email it to me, because I totally had to share the information!

Well, a social enterprise program in Boston, Gym-Pact, has come up with the ULTIMATE incentive for working out that has nothing to to with rewarding yourself for obtaining your goals. Yes, the name is very fitting. It’s quite the opposite, actually – it makes you pay $10 for every day you miss your workout!  You know, kinda like the proverbial “naughty language jar” that some families have where they must put in anywhere form a quarter to a dollar for every bad word that comes out of their mouth (Jane!)?

From Gym-Pact

The concept is simple and effective.  Gym-Pact works with local vendors to offer our members discounts on local gyms, dance centers, yoga studios and other fitness centers in exchange for making a commitment to attend these centers a certain number of days a week (see a list of our current deals).  As a member, if you successfully fulfill your commitment, you enjoy great discounts on a fitness membership that you actually use.  If you fall short of your commitment, a motivational fee is charged for each day missed that week to motivate you to get back on the fitness track.  Members can choose both the number of days and the motivational fee, with a minimum of one day per week and $10 paid each missed day.

Motivational fee is right!  This week, I’d already be $40 in the hole with Sunday being day one!

I think this is a FANTASTIC incentive and enforcement, really!  Wouldn’t it be fabulous to implement this in your home (maybe on a smaller scale)?

Start, upfront, with a goal fund. For every day you do not workout (not including rest days, because your body definitely needs rest), you take $2 out of your fund and give it to your spouse, or charity, or maybe even your kids.

Let’s just say, I start out with a low $30 goal fund.  If I miss half the month in workouts, there goes my reward – and my fitness!

Thanks, Gym-Pact, for this kick in the rear idea of enforced fitness! Who can afford to LOSE money these days?  I wish there were more places like it!