6 Convient Gym Hacks
More and more Canadians have added getting healthier to their to-do lists. Working out is just that, work. But there are some ways that may make going to the gym a little easier. Let’s face it, the more comfortable you are, the more you’re going to enjoy the process of getting fit. Check out these six gym hacks that are practical and will make your time at the gym as painless as possible: No more smelly gym gloves. Dirty gym gloves are just nasty and if you’re pressed for time and can’t actually wash them, there’s a cool way (literally) of keeping them smelling fresh. Toss them in the freezer for a couple hours to eliminate any foul odours. Bags for your bag. Another item you probably carry with you to your workout is a gym bag. If it holds your sweaty workout gear for more than a few minutes, it likely doesn’t smell great either. Toss a couple of tea bags in to keep it smelling sweet, even if the clothes inside aren’t. The right fit for your shoes. Tossing your gym shoes into your bag without some separation isn’t doing your bag any favours. Buy yourself some cheap shower caps—they’ll fit nicely over your running shoes to keep your gym bag clean and the soles of your shoes protected. Frozen fruit in your water. If it takes some effort for you to get that water down, try adding some frozen fruit to your water bottle. Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are best. Add some cucumber too for an extra fresh taste that will make your bland water more palatable. Workout clothes as PJs. If you like to head to the gym first thing in the morning even before roosters are awake, sleeping in your workout clothes could give you a head start. You won’t have to waste any time getting up and at ‘em! Save something special for your workouts. When you know you’ll be able to listen to your favourite podcast or watch the newest TV series while you’re doing your cardio, it may actually help you to look forward to it. Watching the next episode of Schitt’s Creek on the recumbent cycle will make the time pass more quickly.
Price Gains Continue as Calgary Inventory Remains Low
October sales activity slowed over the last month in alignment with typical seasonal patterns. However, with 2,171 sales, levels were 17 per cent higher than last year and amongst the highest levels reported for October. Sales activity has been boosted mainly through gains in apartment condominium sales as consumers seek affordable housing options during this period of high-interest rates.New listings also improved this month compared to last year, reaching 2,684 units, reflecting the highest October levels reported since 2015. Despite the gain, relatively strong sales prevented any significant shift in inventory levels, which remain over 40 per cent lower than levels traditionally available in October.“Despite some recent improvements in new listings, supply levels remain challenging in our market,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. It will take some time to see a shift toward more balanced conditions and ultimately more price stability.”With a months of supply of one and a half months, we continue to experience upward pressure on home prices. The unadjusted benchmark price in October reached $571,600, a gain over last month and nearly 10 per cent higher than last October. Detached Both sales and new listings improved over levels reported last October. However, with 1,302 new listings this month and 976 sales, inventory levels slowed over the last month. Inventory levels remain the lowest ever reported for October. Inventory levels have declined for all homes priced below $700,000, leaving conditions exceptionally tight for lower-priced homes. The only area where conditions are not as tight as last year is for homes priced above $1,000,000, where the months-of-supply has risen to 4.3 months. Persistently tight conditions continue to cause further price gains in the detached market. As of October, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $697,600, a slight increase over last month and 12 per cent higher than last October. Prices trended up over the last month across every district except the South East. Year-to-date benchmark prices have increased the most in the North East and East districts. Semi-Detached New listings in October improved over the low levels reported last year. However, with 235 new listings and 179 sales, the sales to new listings ratio remained relatively high at 76 per cent, preventing any significant change in the inventory levels. Inventory levels are nearly half the levels traditionally seen in October and have not been this low since October 2005. Persistently tight conditions have continued to support price growth. In October, the unadjusted benchmark price increased over the last month, reaching $628,700, a year-over-year gain of 13 per cent. Prices trended up over September across most districts, with the most significant monthly gain occurring in the City Centre district. Like the detached sector year-to-date, the highest price growth has happened in the most affordable districts of the North East and East. Row The 420 new listings this month were met with 375 sales, keeping the sales-to-new listings ratio high at 89 per cent and preventing a significant shift in inventory levels. Row inventory levels have not been this low since October 2005. At the same time, October sales reached a record high for the month, keeping the months of supply low at one month. Persistently tight market conditions have supported further gains in prices this month. In October, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $425,200, a monthly gain of over one per cent and nearly 19 per cent higher than last October. Prices have risen across most districts, but this month, the largest monthly gain occurred in the City Centre, which has also seen the lowest year-to-date price growth compared to the other districts. Apartment Condominium Record high sales in October were possible thanks to the steep gain in new listings. However, with 727 new listings and 641 sales, the sales to new listings ratio remained high at 88 per cent, and inventories continued to trend down. The decline in inventory levels has been driven mostly by condos priced below $300,000, which now represent only 38 per cent of all inventory, a significant decline compared to the 53 per cent reported last year. Persistent seller market conditions have driven much of the recent gains in prices. The unadjusted October benchmark price reached $316,600 in October, a monthly gain of over one per cent and a year-over-year increase of 16 per cent. Year-to-date price gains have occurred across every district in the city, with some of the largest gains arising in the lower-priced North East and East districts. REGIONAL MARKET FACTS Airdrie Sales in the city eased in October, contributing to the year-to-date decline of 29 per cent. Much of the decline has been driven by detached home sales. Limited supply choice in the lower price ranges has contributed to some steep drop in home sales priced below $500,000. While Inventory levels have improved over last year's low levels, the growth was driven by homes priced above $500,000. While adjustments in both sales and inventory levels did cause the months of supply to trend up over the last month, with less than two months of supply, conditions remain tight, supporting further price gains. In October, the benchmark price rose over the last month, reaching $521,400, a year-over-year gain of nearly 10 per cent. Cochrane New listings improved over last month's and last year’s levels, likely supporting some of the monthly gains in sales. Nonetheless, year-to-date sales have eased by nearly 22 per cent as sales have eased across all property types. While sales have slowed, levels remain far higher than long-term trends for the town. Despite the monthly improvement in new listings, inventory levels were lower than last year and remain well below long-term trends. Persistently tight market conditions supported further price growth this month. In October, the unadjusted benchmark price reached $539,900, a monthly gain of over one per cent and a year-over-year increase of seven per cent. Price growth has occurred across all property types, with the largest year-over-year gains occurring in the apartment condominium sector. Okotoks The 48 new listings in October were met with 41 sales, keeping the sales-to-new listings ratio high at 85 per cent and preventing any adjustments to the exceptionally low inventory levels. Low inventory levels have likely prevented stronger sales activity, as year-to-date sales have declined by 26 per cent, primarily due to pullbacks in detached activity. Despite some price adjustments over the last few months, the unadjusted benchmark price rose slightly over September and was over nine per cent higher than last October. Prices have increased across all property types, but the year-over-year gains have been highest for detached and semi-detached homes.
Calgary City Council New Housing Plan
Calgary city council voted 12-3 in favor of a new housing plan after a three-day committee meeting where 162 residents expressed their concerns about the city's housing crisis. The plan, which includes various changes, aims to address the shortage of affordable housing in the city. The key points of the plan include an incentive program to create new secondary suites, the sale of city land for new housing units, and the introduction of new zoning rules allowing row houses and duplexes throughout the city. The goal is to increase both market and non-market housing to meet the demand and improve affordability. Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott expressed that this vote represents permission to take action and address the housing crisis. The plan also includes amendments to identify land for prefabricated housing to help families experiencing homelessness and a $25 million investment in post-secondary student housing. The city decided to take swift action after a significant increase in housing prices, making it difficult for many to find suitable housing options. A Housing Needs Assessment report revealed that one in five households in Calgary struggled to afford housing in 2021. This issue has likely worsened in 2023. While some council members support the plan, others, like Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean, have concerns about the blanket upzoning of all areas of the city. They believe this approach may limit public input and want more debate on the matter. To secure federal funding, the city needs to legalize new zoning designations that promote housing diversity, such as mid-rise apartments, duplexes, and row houses. The housing strategy will require funding allocated in the upcoming November budget debate and bylaw amendments in the following year, involving public hearings. According to administration officials, the strategy will cost Calgarians a total of $57.5 million in one-time costs, $27 million in annual costs, and $10 million in capital costs per year.
Categories
Recent Posts
