Think getting fit is too costly? Think again. 7 tips to get you going (on a budget)

Think getting fit will cost you a fortune? It doesn’t have to. We’ve got 7 ways to do it on a budget.

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Getting fit doesn’t have to cost you a fortune if you can get creative.
  1.  A GYM: If  you have your heart set on joining a gym, the best way to save on membership is to look around. Do your research on which gyms there are in your local area and work out what you want from them. Do you like the benefits of longer opening hours, more classes, a quieter work out space? These factors will help you narrow down which gyms are most suited to your wants and needs. Our next tip is to keep an eye out for membership sales or deals. For example: the try before you buy concept is a common theme at most gyms, which lets you use the equipment or try out the classes you’re interested in before committing to what can sometimes be yearly contracts.
  2. RUNNING: If you own a pair of running shoes, trendy or not, pounding the pavement is the cheapest and most straight forward way to reap the benefits of a workout without the price tag. Running or walking around your local area hosts a multitude of benefits. The number of calories burnt in a 60-minute walk or run varies depending on the individual person and the speed you walk. But that’s the beauty of it: How hard you work is purely up to you! Going for a walk with friends can also make it a fun, social event whilst still burning off last night’s chocolate (A BONUS). Mix in a few hills (if you have them nearby) and you’re on your way to a better booty in no time.
  3. SHARING COSTS: Another handy hint for those looking to save on fitness this year is to share a trainer with friends. Often personal trainers will split the cost of the session if there is more than one person participating. So bring a friend along – it will cost you both half as much as doing it individually, plus you can work out together. Although it no longer remains one on one, personal training in small groups or with a friend still allows the trainer to know your strengths and weaknesses and they are there to help you work on them – in a group or not.
  4. DVD’S OR YOUTUBE: If you’re a beginner and don’t wish to be exposed to the wide world of fitness fanatics and 5am joggers, there’s always fitness DVD’s or YouTube tutorials. Some of the best trainers in the world are happily uploading workout tutorials that vary in length and intensity straight onto the internet. All you need for this option is a big enough space that you won’t knock anything over or hurt yourself and ensure you’ve got room to move. The beauty of this is that the type of workout you may wish to do from day-to-day can vary and scrolling through countless online fitness videos gives you the freedom to choose the type of exercise you want to do. And the best part about this: Whether you’re a beginner or an elite athlete, this can be done from the comfort of your own home at no cost.
  5. THE BEACH: If you like water sports, buying a wetsuit (there are loads available online secondhand) will cover you. Swimming, surfing, sand – it’s like an environmentally-friendly outdoor gym. Getting fit doesn’t have to be an individual quest, going to the beach means you can involve your friends and/or family. Swimming provides a full body workout that places no pressure on joints and can be very relaxing for your body and soul. Check out our article on the health benefits of swimming and the range of health and fitness benefits that surfing boasts. Going to the beach can mean countless hours laying in the sun (tut tut). So for the active bodies out there, walking the length of the beach can cut the boredom and work your muscles at the same time (for a more intense workout, the soft sand is a killer on the legs).
  6. NO COST AND NO HASSLE: The fitness for free tips which spring to mind for the busy work days include getting off the bus a few stops earlier than usual or parking your car further away so it forces you to walk that little bit extra. If you work close to home and don’t mind the wind in your hair before you sit down to work all day, riding your bike to work is beneficial to your legs, your bank account, AND the environment. So what’s not to love?
  7. APPS: With technology so far advanced that most people have the ability to download pedometers and calorie counters straight onto their smart phones, it would be silly to pass up the opportunity to download the free fitness apps helping budgeters whip their bods into shape. Whether you want to target your lower body, arms, butt, abs, etc, there’s bound to be an app for that.

The key to getting fit on a budget is getting self-motivated. If you’re not counting on your personal trainer to whip your butt into shape, it can sometimes be hard to stay motivated. Just remember: what you do today, your future self will thank you for.

How do you save money and still get fit?

By BB intern Brooke Davie.

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