The new year is a great time to commit yourself to a healthier lifestyle and shed a few unwanted pounds. However, the last thing you’ll want to do is pay to join a gym, visit it once or twice, and then never return.
According to the website Exercise.com, 67 percent of people make this exact mistake each year. Depending on the payment structure of the facility you choose, this could cost you hundreds or even over a thousand dollars annually. That means not only are you doing a disservice to your body but also to your finances as well.
Humans have been getting in shape long before the creation of expensive gyms, so there’s no reason to believe that you’ll need to spend a ton to reshape your physique. To better help you improve your health and get the most out of your ambitions, here are a few tips to help you get in shape on a budget.
1) The At-Home Gym
Setting up exercise equipment in your own home is a great way to make fitness a part of your daily routine. Whether it’s first thing in the morning or later in the evening, you’ll remove the barrier of having to drive to the gym. All you simply have to do is carve out a time when you can utilize the equipment and get your body to work.
Though it will take a little money upfront to build your gym, this expense will be offset by the fact that you won’t have to pay a monthly membership as you would at a professional gym. To put some numbers to it, call around to a few local facilities, inquire about their pricing, and use that as the basis for your budget to buy the needed equipment.
Keep in mind too that getting your own equipment doesn’t necessarily mean buying brand new. Resale platforms like Facebook Marketplace are full of people looking to offload their used cardio equipment and weightlifting machines at a significant discount.
2) YouTube Exercise Videos
Generally, when most people make their resolutions to get into better shape, it isn’t because they want to become bodybuilders or get huge muscles. They typically just want to lose a little fat, and the best way to do that is to simply get moving.
Believe it or not, YouTube is a treasure trove of content designed to get your heart rate up. There are literally thousands of free videos by professionals and influencers alike targeting every aspect of your body. The routines they offer cater from beginner to advanced, so you could watch a new video each time and never do the same exercise twice if you wanted.
The grand majority of this content is centered around cardio and aerobic style movements – most of which can be done in your living room, basement, or anywhere else you have some open space. At most, the only equipment is some small weights or resistance bands that can be purchased for relatively cheap.
3) Body Weight Exercises
If you are looking to develop your muscles but don’t have a lot of money to invest in gym equipment, then don’t fear. There are dozens of exercises you can do using your body weight as resistance.
Some examples include:
- Push-ups
- Jump squats
- Lunges
- Triceps dip
- Planks
For more, please see this guide here.
4) Go Outside
Working out at home can be convenient, but it can begin to feel a little cramped always being confined by the same four walls. For a change of scenery (and if the weather cooperates) you may find it more invigorating to go outdoors and exercise amongst nature.
There’s a lot you can do outside:
- Go for a walk or run
- Ride a bike
- Do bodyweight exercises
What’s great about these exercises is that you can pick where you’d like to do them. You may choose to:
- Walk through your own neighborhood
- Take a scenic trail
- A nearby park
- Downtown area
- Or any combination of places!
Like the other at-home options, it costs next to nothing to get started. You can even meet up with friends and make it social as well as active.
5) Local Fitness Classes
Do you prefer to work with an instructor or in the company of others? Who can blame you – it’s much more motivating to get in shape when you’re surrounded by your peers who are trying to accomplish the same goal.
In this case, you may want to look into local fitness classes being offered around your community. These sessions cover a wide range of levels from beginner to advanced and can expose you to a variety of different exercise methods such as:
- Running
- Cycling
- Aerobics
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Etc.
These types of classes are usually very affordable, so you can determine your own level of involvement and pace. Because you’ll be in the presence of real people, you’ll also have the opportunity to ask for feedback from the instructor if you have specific questions.
6) Discount Gyms
Not all gyms will charge you hundreds of dollars per month to use their facilities. If you’re looking for one with no frills such as no pool, spa, daycare center, etc. then you’ll be able to work out for quite a discount.
A good example would be a place like Planet Fitness. For as little as $10 per month, you can exercise as much as you want in a clean, spacious environment with all the weights and cardio equipment you’ll ever need.
Depending on where you live there may be also local facilities that offer similar accommodations. These gyms might have free trials or discounts that you could take advantage of which will further save you more cash.
7) Focus On Your Nutrition
It’s important to remember that when it comes to health, exercise is only half of the equation. To truly improve your physique you’re also going to want to modify your eating habits too. This involves not just how much you consume but also the quality of the food that you eat.
For most people, steering away from fast food, processed food, and pre-packaged options in favor of fresh food will be a good start. Additionally, practicing portion control will help both your waistline as well as your wallet since you won’t be spending as much or buying foods you don’t need.
A good way to monitor your eating habits is to use a good diet app. Similar to financial budgeting apps like Buxfer, diet apps will assist you in tracking your calories and breaking them down by macros. You can also set limits for yourself so that you’ll do a better job monitoring your consumption.
You’ve Got This!
Getting in shape is often thought of as being physical; however, it’s more about mindset than anything. Exercise is not an arrangement where your odds of success increase the more you spend. What works well is to stay consistent and disinclined. The more committed you are to working towards your goals, the more you’ll find that the free or low-cost options work just fine.
Featured image credit: Pexels
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