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Money saving fitness tips this summer…
Well it seems that summer is finally here. But as we try to get into our summer clothes at long last, many of us realise that perhaps we need to put a little more effort into getting fitter.
The problem is that as soon as we start thinking about fitness we also think about how much it’s all going to cost. Whether it’s joining a gym or going to a class or taking up a sport that requires lots of gear, we worry that we will have to spend a small fortune before we even start.
But that does not have to be the case! Here are ten money saving ways that you can get fit for free:
One of the simplest forms of exercise is walking. All you need to do is put on some comfortable clothes and shoes and head out of the door to wherever takes your fancy. Whether it’s a park or woods or beach, or the streets of your local town or city – you will soon feel the benefit. You can plan your walks to see all those places that you have never got round to visiting.
Walking is not only a great form of exercise but can also be an ideal opportunity to clear your head. It can help put things into perspective and restore a sense of calm.
If you have never tried running and assume that you would not be a good runner then why not try the popular Couch to 5K (C25K) programme? It has proved to be a very effective way of helping complete beginners learn how to run. It features a 9-week plan with three runs a week and a rest day in between.
If you have run before and want to get back into it then find out whether there are any local park runs near you. These are free weekly 5km runs, usually on Saturday mornings. They are open to runners of all abilities and if you want your time recorded you can register on the parkrun website and print off a barcode to do this.
If running is not your thing then most local parks have different facilities that you can try. Some playgrounds have equipment such as climbing walls and obstacle courses that are suitable for adults. Or there may be an outdoor gym as well as the playground. Definitely worth investigating.
If you enjoy gym workouts but like to be outdoors, another option is to find out if there is a green gym near you. Green gyms are outdoor sessions run by The Conservation Volunteers. There is a warm up session then a range of light to vigorous practical activities to suit all abilities. Activities include conservation projects such as planting trees, sowing meadows and establishing wildlife ponds.
If you enjoy classes then look around for free ones. They do exist! A good place to start is fitness shops: Sweaty Betty and Lululemon offer free classes – but sign up in advance to guarantee a place.
If you are prepared to pay a small amount then look for a bargain gym such as The Gym. This is a rapidly expanding chain of gyms with very cheap monthly fees and no contract – so you can leave at any time without any hassle. They are open 24/7 and offer a range of free classes.
If you are a bit of a phone addict then why not take a look at the thousands of fitness apps that are available. There is bound to be one that works for you and will help you set goals and track your progress.
Three to try for starters are:
If you like to exercise at home and need some visual guidance then there are a lot of resources out there to help you. Simply search Youtube for whatever type of exercise interests you and you are bound to find something that fits the bill.
If you prefer to have your own copy of your favourite routine then there are hundreds of fitness DVDs available. Check out suppliers such as Amazon, or have a mooch round your local charity shop to see what’s on offer.
If dancing is your thing then just do it! Whether you’re inspired by Strictly, love to twist and shout or have a secret desire to be a salsa dancer, dancing is a great way of getting and keeping fit.
As we saw earlier, you may well be able to find a free dance class somewhere local to you – but also there is nothing to stop you dancing at home. Either put on your favourite music and let it all hang out, or turn to Youtube if you want to learn a specific style of dancing. It’s fun and free and will get you fitter in no time.
If you like gym-style workouts but it is either too difficult or too expensive to get there then design your own routine at home. If you want to get some items of gym equipment then it is worth looking regularly on Freecycle – if you are patient then you may well see second hand gym equipment being given away for free. You can also put a Wanted advert if there is something specific you are after.
But you can also devise effective circuit training at home that doesn’t involve equipment. Instead of lifting weights, use tins – baked beans work particularly well! A carpeted floor is great for all those stomach crunches. And who needs a step machine when you have a ready made set of stairs in your hall!
As well as adapting one or more of the above ideas, everyone can get fitter just by making a few changes to their normal routine.
Find opportunities to walk or cycle instead of driving everywhere. Use stairs instead of the lift. During the day, make sure that you stand up wherever possible instead of just sitting all the time. Recent research shows that standing for an extra two hours a day can lower blood sugar levels and blood fats, and increase the amount of HDL (“good” cholesterol) in the bloodstream – all of which are beneficial for heart health.
We hope that you have a wonderful summer now that it’s here, and that these money saving tips help to get fit for free. Check back here soon for more financial and lifestyle tips from Loans 2 Go.
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