Gym memberships and workout classes cost a lot of money. Here’s how you can stay healthy without having to worry about the bill.
Joining a sports team or acquiring a gym membership costs money, usually lots of it. StatisticBrain reports that people spend, on average, $58 a month on their gym memberships, which they sometimes don’t even use. If you’re on a tight budget and need money to pay for food and rent, this dollar amount most certainly makes you question your priorities.
Despite the fact that working out doesn’t require much more than a willingness to sweat, it’s much easier to be healthy and fit if you have the proper tools and the right environment. Cheap and free places to work out at aren’t always easy to find but they’re there in every city.
Here are five ways you can work out without spending most of your paycheck:
Parks & playgrounds
No matter where you live, there’s gotta be a public park with those free to use “gyms” that include pull out bars and other rusty looking machines. If you mix cardio with some of these machine exercises, you’ll be getting a complete and perfectly decent workout, the same one you’d get in a fancy gym.
Public or non-profit fitness centers
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This tip works mostly for those who live in big cities, which tend to have these type of places. These spaces are free or very cheap and don’t force you to sign a contract, which tend to be really problematic in the long run. To find public fitness centers use Google or check your local park & recreation department’s website.
At home
If the weather becomes a determining factor on your workouts, you can always stay in shape from home. Nowadays there are tons of apps that allow you to download routines that require no equipment or basic weights that you have laying around your house. These apps give you the chance to work out at your own pace, fitting these in on tight schedules and more.
Use household items as weights
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Proper weights are not an excuse for skipping out on workout routines. Plenty of household items can do the job, such as a sturdy chair, which can be used for some of the most effective muscle toning routines, such as lunges, reverse crutches and step ups. If there’s a dog or a baby at home, you can also use them for presses, bicep curls, and more, with their squiggling nature adding more of a challenge than a weight ever could. Just, you know, don’t drop them.
Make a schedule
The most important aspect about a workout routine is consistency. You need this whether you’re going to the most expensive gym in the world or you’re working out from your living room. Make a schedule at the beginning of the week and stick to it. If you’re serious about getting in shape, you’ll start seeing results in no time.
