How to Save Money and Get in Shape this Year
Have you resolved to finally lose that 10 pounds that’s been plaguing you since you had your baby (no reason why I picked that particular example…)? Have you decided that this is the year you’re finally going to get in shape and run that 5k? You can meet your health and fitness goals this year without having to spend a fortune on a gym membership that you may never use because you never seem to find the time to get to the gym before it closes.
You can skip the gym membership, save money and get in shape this year. Here’s how:
Walk or Run Outside
The whole world is your gym. You don’t need an expensive treadmill to run on, you can just run on the street. Or go for a walk around your neighborhood. The local high-school track, a community trail, or even the loop around a local lake are all great places to walk or run.
The best part? They’re all free! Log as many miles as you want as many days of the week as you want and don’t spend a penny.
Do Workout Videos at Home
Maybe you don’t like to run. Or maybe you just don’t like the repetition of walking around a track. You can mix it up by doing working videos in the privacy of your own home. Yoga, aerobics, pilates and Tae Bo can all be on the menu. You don’t have to pay for an expensive class, and you don’t have to worry about the people working out behind you judging your backside.
Get a few videos that you like and do them whenever the mood strikes you. You can work out without spending a lot of money, and you don’t have to wait for class schedules to align with your personal schedule.
Buy Workout Equipment
Sometimes you just need a machine to get the workout you need. Maybe you want to work on your muscles on the rowing machine, or maybe you really like the workout you get with an elliptical. Buy the workout equipment you need and you can get the workout you want while saving money.
You don’t have to outfit your house with the whole gym. You can buy one or two key pieces of equipment, or you can buy an all-in-one machine. Since the machines will last you for many years, the investment will be much less than a gym membership over time.
Attend Gyms During a Trial Period
Every gym offers some sort of trial period to test out the equipment. You can get one-week or one-month memberships in some cases. If you get these from enough gyms in your area, you could get a full year of workouts for free.
Be prepared to listen to a sales pitch if you go this route. If you can endure it, you’ll save yourself a lot of money and get the workouts you need.
Join a Team
There are many community sports teams that you can join to play basketball, baseball, and other fun games. Some of these are free. Not only will you have a great time and meet new people in your community, but you’ll also get the exercise you need. You can also check to see if your company, church or professional group sponsors these kinds of activities.
Getting in shape doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. You can get in a good workout every day without have to spend a penny. Use these suggestions to attain the health and fitness you want this year without having to break your budget.
How do you workout on a budget? Share your tips in the comments!
Bridget Sandorford is a freelance writer and researcher for Culinaryschools.org, where recently she’s been researching world famous chefs. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working on her first cookbook.
