…Buff On A Budget: Getting Fit Without Spending A Fortune…
Is money getting in the way of you starting and maintaining a new fitness regime? If so, you are in very good company. When you look at the costs involved in some fitness activities out there on the market, it can often be difficult for those with less disposable income than others to find the money. Gym memberships can be extortionate, for a start, and doing something like hiring a personal trainer is going to be impossible for the vast majority of people.
But the truth is that fitness doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. In fact, if you have financial concerns, it doesn’t mean you can’t get fit and healthy. Yes, there will be a little investment here and there, but in the vast majority of cases, it will be affordable. And, if you can switch some of your unhealthier habits and try working out instead, you will save money overall. In today’s guide, we’re going to go through some of the simple ways you can get buff on a budget, and start a new lifestyle with fitness and exercise at its core. Let’s get started right away.
Build your own gym
OK, so going to the gym means spending a lot of money on membership, plus a little extra for classes. And the simple truth is that when most people pay for gym membership, they never get the most out of it, and ends up being a complete waste of money. So, why not buy some basic equipment and build a gym in your own home? Honestly, you don’t need a lot of money to get started with some of the basics. A chin-up bar is perfect for helping you build strength in your arms, chest, shoulders and abs – and you can pick them up for less than $10 from your local equipment store or Amazon. Want to work on your cardio? Head to your local toy store and pick up an adult sized skipping rope – all they cost a few dollars, and you will get a piece of equipment that can give you a great cardio workout, get you started with plyometrics, and even help you with coordination and balance. And all that is available to you for less than a McDonald’s.
Be your own gym
Of course, you don’t actually need to buy any gym equipment at all if you want to get fit – your body and some basic household items are all you need! Take a look at the You Are Your Own Gym website, and you can see exactly what we are talking about, here. Using your body as weights is a super cheap and easy way of getting started on a new fitness regime. Push ups, sit ups, sprinting on the spot – you can do them all from the comfort of your own home. Use a chair for simple dips, while a sturdy table is all you need to get a similar effect of a pull-up bar. Ultimately, you don’t need to buy seven or eight pieces of gym equipment at all, and you can get a magnificent strength workout with just your body weight, and there are plenty of high-intensity cardio workouts you can do at home, too.
Use your gym membership
As we mentioned in the introduction, we all know that gym memberships can be expensive. But they don’t need to be. In fact, if you use your gym four or five days a week and take advantage of all the services and classes you have included in your membership, it is well worth your time and money. Don’t forget, gym memberships are supposed to offer value, and the only way to get that value is by turning up. If you fail to use your membership at all, it’s money down the drain. But if you do go enough times a week, it makes sound financial sense.
Running and jogging
All you need to start running is a pair of proper jogging shoes – and you don’t have to spend a small fortune on the latest and greatest, high technology sneakers that you see advertised everywhere. A simple pair of sturdy sneakers is all you need; just make sure that you do plenty of research before making your choice, and also make sure the jogging shoes fit perfectly. Once you have made your purchase, get out there and start running. As you progress, you can start adding different activities to your routine to keep things interesting. Go cross country instead of using the roads. Try some high intensity sprinting sessions. Or, stuff some heavy objects in a backpack and take it out with you. The heavier your bag, the harder your body will have to work – and the fitter you will get.
Cycling
OK, so the cost of buying a new bike can be a lot of money, and if you are new to the cycling game, it can be a little daunting. However, there are cheap alternatives for all bikes, whatever your level. Beginner cyclists might get on best with a 3 wheel bike, while city dwellers can pick up a used racer on eBay or Craigslist for next to nothing. Live in the country? A combination bike or mountain cycle is probably a better bet for you as it will enable you to cycle over rough terrain. Of course, it’s not just the cost of the bike you need to factor in, but again, there are plenty of cost-effective solutions. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a completely new cycle outfit – the only thing worth spending on in the early days is a decent and safe helmet.
Swimming
Swimming is one of the cheapest activities you can do – especially if you live near a safe river, lake, or stream. For the price of a swimming costume or pair of shorts – and a little money on fuel – you can go anywhere in the country and enjoy regular wild swimming for nothing. You might have to invest in a wetsuit for the colder months in the year, of course, but ultimately it’s still a cheap way to start getting fit. And make no mistake about it, swimming is an enjoyable activity for overall fitness. It helps you build up strength in your arms, chest, and shoulders. It also helps with cardio and breathing. And because of the support is given to you by the water, it’s completely low impact – so ideal for those that are recovering from an injury.
Home workouts
There are hundreds of excellent workout DVDs out there, so why not invest in a couple of different ones? Pick them up cheap from Amazon or even scour YouTube for free workouts. With so many TVs coming equipped with YouTube apps, it’s never been easier to access free workout and fitness content and learn from the very best while getting fit. If you decide to buy DVDs, however, bear in mind that the ones you see launched around Christmas time and the New Year will be more expensive, as the fitness companies want to cash in on the fitness resolutions of the general population. Wait until the spring or summer, however, and these workout DVDs will often be found in the dollar bins at your local stores.
Make lifestyle trades
Let’s assume that you don’t have the self-discipline to go running, go swimming, or workout from home. And at the same time, you feel you can’t afford to spend money on a personal trainer or a fitness expert who could transform your lifestyle. If this is the case, it’s important, to be honest with yourself. Can you really not afford to look after your health? Are there any cuts you could make to your household budget that you can use to contribute towards a gym membership or PT? Maybe you could cut back on your cable TV spending and instead of being a couch potato, head for a workout session instead. Maybe you could buy a couple of bottles of wine less per month. You could even think about stopping eating takeouts quite so much and put all the money you are saving by getting fit instead. The great thing about using a personal trainer is that they will get you to a level you have never experienced before. And once you learn how to do all the relevant workouts and exercises, you can go it alone, keeping yourself fit for the rest of your life. So, take a look around and think about what you are spending on the unhealthy aspects of your life Use that money to contribute towards your fitness instead, and there is no reason why using a gym or hiring a personal trainer needs to cost you a cent more than your household budget.
Do you worry about the cost of getting fit? If so, why not share your fears and concerns by leaving a comment in the section below? Similarly, if you have any smart and intelligent ideas on how to save on fitness, why not share your expertise and knowledge?