Reposted to help you achieve a healthy and prosperous 2016: Perhaps you’ve read TeacherCents’ recent post on being prepared for emergencies, and the section of the article that includes ideas on getting physically prepared for worst-case scenarios? That itself could be a new year’s resolution. Speaking of resolutions, now is that infamous time to discuss them again. People may make them, break them or ignore them but they always seem to be the mainstay for optimists looking for a new lease on life once the clock strikes midnight on 2015. But as many seem to include “getting fit” and “making or saving money” into their plans, there may be an incentive in putting the two together by signing up with certain programs and digital applications that pay you to work out or even help others stay accountable. Here are a few ideas:
Gym-Pact Digital Application
As discussed in this Men’s Fitness article, the Gym-Pact application, created by Harvard graduates (who must have had amazing teachers), keeps you motivated in two ways: by charging a fee if you skip a gym workout, or better yet, by paying you a share of the money for working out, from the fees of all of those guys that didn’t workout during the week. The phone app will track you via a GPS device to validate your workout at a registered gym. Need to take a sick day? You must submit proof of sickness to the app administrators from a medical doctor. The site boasts over 5 million registered workouts. But if you prefer to use their app for their food or vegetable meal tracking, as thousands have done across the globe, those too have helped over 92 percent of users stick with their goals in the “competition.”
The brand includes popular programs such as P90X, Insanity and the 21 Day Fix. It features fitness celebrities, health experts and everyday people, and offers a variety of at-home fitness workouts and nutrition solutions. With thousands joining monthly, spending over $100 on their plant-based weight loss beverage, Shakeology, as well as on their equipment, new programs and gear at additional costs, where is the money to be made by consumers? Many sign up as “coaches” for personal product discounts, and by helping others choose items and stay accountable through various social media platforms as well as in-person meetings, trips and an annual national convention of sorts. By signing up fitness “challengers,” “coaches,” who need no background or expertise in fitness, can profit off of sales of individual and team efforts in various ways, and not just from product sales within their groups.
Some of their top earners boast that they have turned their efforts into six-figure annual salaries, including earning bonuses and all-expensive paid trips to exciting destinations with other members, all while replacing their part-time or even full-time jobs. What’s the catch? Coaches do pay some fees and the costs of their own products until they enlist a certain number of coaches within their own groups, and they must be actively purchasing products at least every few weeks. But the higher levels a person reaches in their businesses, the higher the earning potential, and the lower the personal cost. The accountability model does prove to be successful for many who work consistently on their goals of getting fit and running their businesses. Imagine sharing your fitness story, working at least an hour a day on business development (as a recommendation for coaches), and earning money that could cover your classroom supplies in no time flat or even pay for your summer vacation. Sounds like a sweet deal. To learn more about becoming a “coach,” click here.
Become a Professional Athlete (ok, maybe we’re reaching a little here)
People idolize them for their talent or loath them for antics that may lead to their demise, but the money they are making is still pretty serious, via team contracts and brand sponsorships. According to this recent Forbes article recapping 2014, the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world earned a collective $2.75 billion over the last 12 months. The incentive to go from young school basketball or soccer player to collegiate all-star still draws appeal, as money invested could quite possibly yield high returns in scholarships or contracts. But not everyone can withstand potential and costly injuries, competition and athletic success.
What do you think? Do you, your family, students or friends ever share their aspirations for the New Year? Have you thought of combining fitness and financial success? Have you used any fitness programs that brought in a little extra money, like the ones mentioned above? Share your comments with TeacherCents.
Melissa Heule, Freelance Writer
Image Credit: Marcus Miranda / Shutterstock.com
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