Fitness is now in trend, and while this is a good thing to help promote healthy living everywhere, not everyone can keep up with the costs of a staying fit. Sometimes we can all use a handful of alternative tips for getting fit.
The average gym membership costs around $40 a month in the U.S., and this is just the most common. There are people who pay up to $100 a month simply for a place to work out. Some folks choose to rig up a simple home gym or exercise in the outdoors.
If you’re looking to get toned, ripped, strong, or swole, on a budget, here are five tips for working out without having to start an expensive monthly gym membership.
1. Get the Necessary Equipment
A common way of getting fit without going to a gym is bringing the gym to you. You don’t have to splurge on a treadmill or full piece of machinery; dumbbells and a weight bench is enough get started while saving.
If you plan on creating a workout routine using only workout gear from your home gym, you’ll need to know which equipment is best. Shop for dumbbells online based on what people think are the best choices. Read reviews and get familiar with the options on the market, rather than running to the mall and purchasing the first set you see.
2. Take Advantage of Free Workout Videos
We’re not all personal trainers. It can be difficult to know what workouts are best for each part of your body; with free Youtube videos, though, it has never been easier. There are free workout videos made by thousands of average people, who are simply trying to spread awareness of physical health, with excellent tips for getting fit.
Simply look up the area of your body you think could use some toning, and watch the video that you like the most. Or perhaps you want to learn about a particular training protocol or start incorporating a fresh set of exercises into your training. Follow along to the steps that the trainer is doing, and you’ll be on the path to a fitter you. You don’t need an expensive DVD.
3. Walk Whenever Possible
In an age where ubers are readily available, the benefits of walking are often overlooked. Walking is actually one of the most underrated forms of exercise.
Instead of taking your car to the coffee shop down the street, consider walking over instead and see some great results in your body.
It’s an easy way to get your cardio for the day, and you may find that it relieves a lot of stress and anxiety from your day as well!
4. Take the Stairs
If you’re going to be missing out on the stair climber at the gym, you’ll want to make up for it somehow. One of the greatest tips for getting fit is to start walking more. Maybe you can walk to work, maybe you can walk at lunch, there’s always a way to fit walking into your schedule.
If you live in an apartment building, or you work on the sixth floor of a company building, taking the stairs is a great opportunity for you to get your extra cardio in before and after work. There isn’t always a lot of time in the day for working out, so this is a helpful way to make time for yourself. Say goodbye to awkward elevator moments.
5. Get Creative
One way to make your workouts exciting is by creating your own, unique exercise plan. Come up with different goals for each day (Tuesdays focus on legs, Wednesdays on arms, etc.), and create new and exciting ways to work those parts of your body.
For example, some people like to use common household items in their routine. Some people like to use heavier items like statue decorations as weights for squatting. Just be careful!
Bottom Line
Overall, you don’t need a fancy gym membership to get fit. You can easily find ways to workout at home and as you commute. Use these 5 tips to see some results without over-paying for the gym.
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