Exercise is important for everyone, whether you’re trying to lose weight or just want to stay healthy. A gym membership can certainly help you accomplish that goal. After all, a good gym will offer high-tech equipment, fun classes, and personal trainers who help you learn about fitness.
But what if you can’t afford all of that?
Perhaps you don’t like the heavily social environment of a gym? Maybe you don’t live near a gym that offers hours that suit your work schedule. Whatever the reason, you don’t have to give up on fitness just because you don’t belong to a gym. There are other ways to get a great workout, and they’re cheap or even free!
Get outside. The most obvious solution to your dilemma is to get outside and go for a walk or jog fhcizrd. But if that gets boring, remember to switch up your routine. Walking on the sand at the beach offers great resistance. Hiking in the woods offers a new challenge. Even just driving to a different neighborhood, parking, and going for a walk can prevent boredom with your routine.
Work the stairs. Stair climbing machines are popular at gyms because they offer a great workout. But you can also use the real thing, and get the same results. Look for an office building, stadium, or even mall with flights of stairs, and work “stair laps” into your regimen.
Go for a swim. Head to the beach or public pool for some laps. Just remember not to swim alone, especially if you’re not the strongest swimmer yet.
Check out YouTube. Surf around on YouTube, and you’ll discover a whole new world of at-home fitness ideas. You can reap the same benefits of a yoga, Pilates, or aerobics class – for free, and in the comfort of your own living room.
Dance it out. Turn on your favorite upbeat tunes, and dance. It’s so much fun, you won’t really notice that you’re exercising! And don’t worry, no one will be criticizing your “moves”, so don’t be afraid to get silly and have fun with it.
Create your own home gym. You don’t need pricey exercise equipment if you’re willing to get creative. There are plenty of exercises you can do using your own body weight plus household items. A bench or a chair can be used for tricep dips or inclined pushups, for example.
Go for a ride. A one-time investment in a bike can provide years of regular, fun exercise. Check Craigslist, Freecycle, or similar online listings for a used bike if you’re on a budget.
As always, contact us before starting a new exercise routine. We can perform a physical to make sure your plans are safe for your fitness level, and offer tips on diet, exercise, weight loss and more.
