You may think that you need to spend a lot of money to get fit. This couldn’t be further from the truth. There are so many things you can do for free or very little money. Whether it’s watching fitness videos on YouTube or playing with the kids, you can get fit on a budget.
Watch Fitness Videos on YouTube (or from the Library)
There are thousands of fitness videos on YouTube. Whether you’re interested in cardio, yoga, or even toning your body through weight training, you can find great videos. Best of all, it’s completely free and way cheaper than a personal trainer. If you have a smart TV or media player, you can watch these videos on your TV. This is so much better than investing hundreds of dollars on fitness DVDs.
Or, another alternative is to visit your local library. They likely have tons of workout videos that you can check out for a week or two at a time.
Use FREE Fitness Apps
You can download free fitness apps to your phone to keep track of your fitness plan. A good free app is MyFitnessPal, which allows you to keep a food log.
Wear an Inexpensive Wearable Fitness Tracker
Use a wearable to keep track of your steps, sleep, and heart rate. Some good (but inexpensive) ones include Fitbit Inspire 2, Garmin Vivofit 4 Smart Band, and Fitbit Charge 3.
Hit Up the Dollar Tree
Did you know the Dollar Tree and other discount stores sometimes have fitness equipment? It’s not much, but you can sometimes find resistance bands, jump ropes, and even fitness DVDs to create your own home gym. This is the way to buy fitness DVDs – when they’re only a dollar each.
You can also check out your local thrift stores (or Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace) for barely used gym equipment that others have gotten rid of.
Use Your Body Weight or DIY Weights
You don't have to have fancy equipment to lift weights. You can do body weight exercises that use your low body weight with no equipment required, including squats, lunges, pushups, planks, etc.
Or, you can get creative and make your own weights out of milk jugs. Add water or sand to plastic containers to create DIY free weights.
Seek Out Community Gyms
There's no need for an expensive gym membership. Some areas have a community or local gyms that are low-cost and sometimes even free to use. If you want to go to a gym, utilize one of these options. Gym memberships can often be very expensive, but these gyms are much more affordable. If there’s a gym where you work, use it. You could even use part of your lunch break to get in a quick workout.
Or look around at what you're already paying for. Do you pay HOA fees to a neighborhood that includes a small neighborhood fitness center? Start using it! Or, maybe your health insurance plan will pay for a gym membership (or give you a large discount).
Go for a Walk
It’s costs absolutely nothing to go for a walk and get fresh air. You can walk around your neighborhood, go for a hike in your local park, or walk around the mall. You can walk literally anywhere. You also don’t have to walk for miles and miles. If you’re out of shape, start with just five minutes. You can slowly work your way up.
Play with the Kids
Last, but not least, getting outside to play with the kids is free and fun. You don’t have to be bored when working out. You can play basketball, tag, or even football. You could even go old school with a jump rope and have fun jumping with your kids!
Once you’ve chased after the kids for a few minutes, you’ll see how much of a workout it really is.
Drink More Water
Rather than paying for expensive drinks, just stick with the basics - water. Keep a big jug filled with water handy throughout the day so you make sure you keep up your daily water intake. Not only is water healthy for you (and calorie-free), but it's also basically free to drink.
It doesn’t cost a dime to get fit. You can go for a walk for free. Even if you do spend a bit of money, it doesn’t have to be much. You can find low-cost gyms and inexpensive fitness DVDs. Just be creative and don’t let your budget be the reason you’re out of shape.
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