Want to keep in shape but keep your finances intact? Getting fit does not have to be expensive, and despite what anyone might tell you, fitness is achievable on any budget. No matter what form of exercise you want to do, there are ways of cutting down on the cost.
The gym: One of the most popular ways of keeping fit is to join a gym. The benefits of gym membership are many. You can take classes under the supervision of trained professionals. A gym is a great way to socialize and meet new friends. Gyms offer personal trainers and personal plans for those who are unsure of where to start on the road to fitness. A gym provides the type of indoor fitness experience that is protected from the elements if the weather is bad outside. Gyms typically offer a range of workout options, allowing users to vary their exercise regimens.
The cost of gym membership is a factor. Before you commit to joining a gym, research the gyms in your local area to determine which ones offer the best value for your money. Ask about off-peak membership if you work from home or are a stay-at-home parent. Many gyms offer cheaper membership options for those who are flexible with their time. Ask about family discounts if you have children and a partner because a family package might be cheaper than separate memberships. Many gyms allow non-members to attend specific classes. This may be a cheaper option if you have a particular exercise program in mind.
You should only take out a gym membership if you are going to use it in full. One thing to avoid is buying a gym membership at the start of the calendar year. If you think about all of the New Year’s resolutions that you have made, how many have you actually kept? Do not let gym membership be one of them because it could cost you a lot of money if you subsequently do not commit to going to the gym at least once a week.
The great outdoors: Do you know what one of the best things about the outdoors is? It’s free. It costs you nothing to walk out the front door of your house or apartment building and walk or run around your neighborhood. Local parks are free to use. There may be other local amenities nearby that are also free to use, such as woodlands or a beach.
A home gym: If the cost of joining a gym seems too much, why not set up a gym at home? Invest in a single piece of equipment, such as an exercise bike or rowing machine. If your budget stretches accordingly, then you could also invest in a set of weights. It should go without saying that fitness equipment needs to be of a certain standard and quality. There is no point in investing in cheap equipment only to see it rendered unusable after a short period of time.
You do not need equipment to exercise at home, however. Push-ups, leg-lifts, squats and similar types of exercises can be done wherever you are. You can even get fitter by cleaning the house. According to some calculations, an hour of housework will burn between 100 and 300 calories.
Fitness gear: You could spend a lot of money on fitness gear only to later wonder why you have a wardrobe of sneakers, clothes and other gear that never gets used. It is much better to think about what you need and buy only the basics to begin with. Invest in the necessary gear only when you need it. Another tip for those on a budget is to invest in a few well-made items that will really last. Items such as a pair of sneakers need to be purchased with quality in mind. Sneakers need to be comfortable and they need to fit you right. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging your feet or incurring an injury, and solving that may cost you money that you might not have to spare.
Another issue to consider with workout gear is comfort. If your gear is particularly uncomfortable, then you will only have to spend even more money replacing it. The benefit of wearing clothing such as quality v neck t shirts from Tommie Copper is that the material used regulates temperature and controls body odor, making for a much more pleasant and comfortable exercise experience.
You can lose those pounds without losing loads of money. No matter what your budget is, keeping fit is an easily achievable goal when you put your mind to it.