Are you looking to get in shape, but don't want to spend money on an expensive gym membership?
While there's no doubt that working out is beneficial for your health, the unpleasant truth is that looking your best can cost you a pretty penny. In fact, according to a recent survey, the average American spends $155 per month on their health and fitness!
Luckily, you don't need to spend a fortune to get in shape.
Check out this guide to learn how to exercise on a budget.
Use YouTube Tutorials
YouTube isn't just for watching cat videos. It's also a great resource for those looking to workout on a budget. Any type of workout video you can imagine, YouTube has it, from Pilates to HIIT to weight lifting. All you need to do is type in the kind of class you're looking for on YouTube, and you'll get tons of different options.
And, all of these workouts are 100 percent free- you just need to deal with the occasional ad.
Here are a few top YouTube fitness channels you might want to check out:
• Fitness Blender
• Pop Sugar Fitness
• 305 Fitness
• Bodybuilding .com
• Frugal Fitness TV
• Livestrong
• Yoga With Adriene
• Chloe Ting
• Body Project
• P.Volve
A lot of these channels use video marketing services like to get the word out about their workout programs, so there's no doubt that you'll find one you love.
Make the Outdoors Your Gym
If you live in an area with nice weather, then there's no reason you can't make the great outdoors your gym. And, we're not just talking about going for a walk or a run outside. There are plenty of other creative ways you can get in shape and get some fresh air.
Here are some ideas:
• Find a bench and do jump squats, lunges, toe taps, and inclined push-ups
• If you live near mountains, go for a hike
• Head to a local high school or college track and run laps or run up and down the bleachers
• Find a set of stairs to run on
• Find a hilly neighborhood and do some inclined sprints
• Go for a bike ride
• Go rollerblading
• Head to a park or field and do some circuit training
As you can see, there are a lot of ways you can make the outdoors your gym.
Join a Sports Team
If you're the type of person who finds traditional gym workouts boring, then joining a sports team is for you. And don't worry, you don't need to be a professional athlete to join a sports team and get in shape.
Most places have city-run sports teams for adults of all fitness levels. While you'll have to pay a registration fee to join, this is only usually around $60. Some popular types of sports leagues you may want to consider joining include:
• Tennis
• Basketball
• Soccer
• Kickball
• Dodgeball
• Volleyball
• Flag football
Not only are sports leagues a great way to get in shape, but they're also a great way to meet new people and socialize.
Invest in Home Exercise Equipment
While a lot of people love going to the gym, there's no doubt that it's not for everyone. Not only does it cost a lot of money, but gyms can also be crowded, chaotic, and dirty. Plus, depending on where you live, it can be a huge hassle to commute to and from the gym.
This is why we suggest bringing the gym to you by investing in some home exercise equipment. And don't worry, we're not suggesting you fork over $1000 for a state-of-the-art-machine.
To get in good shape, all you really need is a good pair of dumbbells. There are plenty of dumbbell exercises that work your arms, legs, and core. Typically, you can buy a pair of dumbbells for about $20.
But, if you're really on a tight budget, you can use items around the house as a substitute for dumbbells. Wine bottles, water bottles, and laundry detergent all get the job done. Or, you can even just use your own body weight to get in a great workout. Some great bodyweight exercises to try include:
• Burpees
• Planks
• Lunges
• Squats
• Jump squats
• Pushups
• Crunches
If you have some extra money to spend, you may also want to consider investing in:
• Kettle bells
• Foam rollers
• A yoga mat
• Mini exercise bands
• A jump rope
• A mini trampoline
• Gliding core discs Ankle weights
Again, most of these pieces of exercise equipment are very affordable, and they'll get you a great total body workout.
Follow Fitness Instagrammers
When most of us think of famous fitness Instagrammers, we think of unrealistic looking models trying to push tea detox programs onto us. However, this definitely isn't the case for all fitness Instagrammers. There are many fitness Instagrammers out there who offer great free workouts that you can do from the comfort of your home. All you need to do is click "follow" and you'll have hundreds of new workouts at your fingertips. Here are some top fitness Instagrammers to check out:
• Alice Liveing
• Mike Schiemer
• Nina Munoz
• Kaylee Ullom
• Kayla Itsines
• Charlee Atkins
• Melanie Stewart
• Kelsey Wells
While a lot of these fit Instagrammers offer programs and apps that you need to pay for, you'll find that their Instagram pages offer plenty of free content to keep your body busy.
Are You Ready to Exercise On a Budget?
Now that you know how to exercise on a budget, it's time to get started. Before you know it, you'll be slimmer and your wallet will be thicker!
For more tips and tricks on how to stay in shape, be sure to check back in with our blog. Visit the Frugal Fitness section of our site right now for more ways to exercise on a budget.
