Frugal Fitness

Is your gym membership costing too much?

As previously promised here is a post on how you frugal fitness fanatics (say that tens times fast) can be fit on a budget. If you're like many Americans in these tough economic times, you're trying to figure out ways to tighten those spending habits. Perhaps you've started packing your own lunch or carpooling to school or work with some buddies. You're probably also looking at that monthly gym membership and thinking "hmmm...maybe I don't need this added expense." Some of you may even add, "Hell, I don't go anyway." Well let me be the first to tell you that you could be right. You don't need the physical building of a gym to help you achieve your fitness goals. You don't need personal trainers and expensive equipment (think of that treadmill that doubles as your coat rack). All you need is some space, your body, some motivation, and occasionally some very inexpensive pieces of fitness equipment.

Look at her face...she's focused, man.

The fitness industry makes tons of money each year from gym membership fees, diet plans, personal trainers, equipment, etc. Think about how much money Susan Somers probably made with that damn Thighmaster...remember that?? LOL.  You don't have to fall into that money trap. Allow me to introduce you to life on a fitness budget. Now, I do workout in a gym. It's convenient and it's a habit. However, there are times when I can't make it and do my workouts outside of my house or in my living room.

Let's start with motivation because that's about as free as we can get when talking about cutting expenses. As long as you have that inner desire to want to make health changes in your life you will be good to go. Now you will need some space. Find a location in your house where you can maneuver your body pretty freely. If you're not sure if the space you're thinking of makes that cut, try the following tests. Do a few jumping jacks, place yourself in the pushup position, or jump rope. If you can do those things comfortably then that space will work. Think about a room that's the size of a living room space. If you need to move the table or something go for it. However, if you find yourself seriously rearranging the furniture to get your workout on then you should probably opt for another room. A basement space would be ideal for this. 

Once you've identified your space you can begin your workouts. You really don't need any equipment at all, thus saving even more money. There are plenty of exercises that you can do using only your body weight. Pushups, squats, lunges, burpees, and a plethora of ab exercises are just a few examples. Within the exercises I listed, is an even greater variety of exercises to work different muscle groups. For example, you can do wide arm push ups, diamond style, superman, or even the handstand pushup.  I encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone into your fitness zone and challenge yourself.

If you want to add equipment to your home workout, you can and not pay an arm and a leg. Some inexpensive equipment that I keep at home are weights, resistance bands, jump ropes, an interval timer, workout mat, and gloves. They don't take up much space and fit snugly into the bottom of our coat closet. But most importantly, I didn't break the bank buying them. You can use this equipment to create your own killer workout. The interval timer is great for circuit workouts and the jump rope is a great way to get some cardio in if you aren't up for running. Speaking of running, don't overlook that as an inexpensive option. It doesn't cost a thing to map out a run or a walk and get going. Check out this FREE site to help to plan your walk/run.

 

Also, don't forget to utilize the workouts that you can find for FREE through your cable service's on demand option. However, these may be too easy. Assess your fitness level to see if these are right for you. 

Don't let cost stop you from being fit. Ask yourself what else is stopping you from living the healthy life that you deserve. We just nixed one excuse off your list, now it's time to get rid of the others.

Here are some links to get you guys started.

No Props, No Problem

Bodyrocktv (she uses some equipment but you can always modify to just use bodyweight)

Let me know your tips for being frugal fitness fanatics. Peace!!