Having a housekeeper while paying $$$ for workout classes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious, does anyone else think this is a little illogical?

Cleaning is a really good workout if you do it right. It has the added benefit of being extremely satisfying. And when you clean your own house, it promotes pride and joy in your home.

But a lot of wealthy people hire others to come and clean their home once a week or so, and then spend large sums on gym memberships, exercise gear, and workout classes. I mean, if you have money to burn, why not, but if you cleaned your own home you could probably cut back on how much you have to workout to stay in shape. A thorough, top to bottom, clean of our house offers great cardio and strength training. And can take a few hours, so good for endurance too.

Same thing with landscaping. Gardening is pleasurable, enables you to spend time outside, can be a form of fitness (pruning and weeding and hauling dirt or mulch definitely builds my muscles), and is something to be proud of. Why pay someone to do it when you could do it yourself and it's actually good for you?

I don't get it.

Gardening is pleasurable? This is crazy talk.

I live in a middle class neighborhood where most people do their own yard work, and it’s clear many people don’t enjoy it. I love gardening so my house usually looks nice.

[Anonymous]

Cleaning your house does not burn as many calories as a workout. This is total nonsense.

https://www.verywellfit.com/how-to-burn-more-calories-cleaning-house-3495596

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate cleaning and my husband hates yard work. We love a great overpriced workout class. Why should we spend time doing things we hate when we can outsource it to free up time to do fun things?

+1000

I would rather lift weights than clean a toilet.

What’s going on in y’all’s toilets? Unless it’s filthy, it takes like two seconds. I do agree that cleaning isn’t a workout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate cleaning and my husband hates yard work. We love a great overpriced workout class. Why should we spend time doing things we hate when we can outsource it to free up time to do fun things?

+1000

I would rather lift weights than clean a toilet.

What’s going on in y’all’s toilets? Unless it’s filthy, it takes like two seconds. I do agree that cleaning isn’t a workout.

You clearly don't have young boys. Cleaning mine takes 2 seconds. My son's bathroom is another story. I will gladly pay whatever it costs to never clean it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hire a cleaning person once every two weeks. I exercise 5-7 days a week. My exercise cost is not reduced if I don’t go one day.

Yes this is me too.

[Anonymous]

It's a DC thing. It's a status symbol. In the Midwest, you have a nice car, or a boat. In DC, you hire cleaners. Neither makes much sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do my own cleaning and yard work, and I attend overpriced workout classes. I’m doubly fit I guess.

+1

[Anonymous]

I have small kids and work full time. I would rather spend my weekends with my kids or catching up with friends or watching a movie or getting one of the million things I have to do for my kids than cleaning. Plus my cleaning lady does a WAY better job than I’d ever do.

[Anonymous]

Why do people feel the need to justify themselves to the ridiculous OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's silly to pay some to do your labor and then pay someone else to make you do labor.

Exactly. I'm not mad that people do it, they should do what they want. But it is strange.

Also, deep cleaning a house is absolutely a workout. Like no, cleaning a toilet or vacuuming doesn't do much. But scrubbing floors, washing walls, cleaning a shower, washing windows, cleaning an oven... these are all intensive activities that will absolutely help you get in shape.

The funny thing is that people who only hire cleaners don't actually know what cleaning entails. They were likely never taught to clean properly and they assume it's terrible, but it's just physical labor. People view it as beneath them, so they "hate it," but then they'll go to a fitness class where someone makes them do 300 squats, and they "love it." But the misery and the enjoyment aren't really innate. It's learned.

But if people want to waste their money this way, that is of course their right.

[Anonymous]

And if you want to waste your time cleaning when you could be doing other things, that is of course your right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do people feel the need to justify themselves to the ridiculous OP?

This

[Anonymous]

House and yard work can help you stay active and contribute to your daily exercise , but it is not comparable to structured exercise in terms of its specific cardiovascular or strength-building benefits.

Unless you are vacuuming, sweeping, gardening at a consistent level for a very prolonged time it may not provide the same targeted benefits as dedicated exercise sessions. Structured exercise, such as aerobic activities (e.g., running, cycling, swimming) or strength training exercises, offers specific benefits like improving cardiovascular fitness, building muscle strength, enhancing flexibility, and promoting bone health.

[Anonymous]

I guess OP doesn’t ever eat out…. Or Uber, or hire babysitters, etc.

Why waste money paying someone else to do something for you if you could do it yourself?!

Dumb premise. OP. .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve always thought this was funny, and wasteful, too. Why pay twice to get the same benefits you could get for free?


My spouse and I clean our own house and do all our own yard work. When our kids were little, we also did all of our own child care. Not only have we saved a lot of money over the years, but we are both very active and in good physical shape.

There is a vast difference between burning calories while cleaning your home and working out with the guidance of a trainer. The results are different, too. In an ideal world, you'd work out with a trainer and clean your house. That's fitnesswise...when it cones to time and money, if you have surpluses of each, you can do what suits you best. I'm broke and strapped for time so I clean my house at 6am.