We're all becoming more aware of the importance of exercise for our day-to-day health and long-term well being, but many assume that a gym membership or dazzling new piece of exercise equipment is the answer for getting into shape. Of course, some flashy name-brand workout clothes will also be necessary. While these items may help you achieve your goals, they come at a steep price. An average gym membership will cost you $35 to $40 per month, plus a membership fee (according to Cost Helper). Workout equipment can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on how far you take your home gym construction efforts. And just one men's short-sleeved workout t-shirt from Adidas--fashioned with two kinds of trademarked fiber technology--will cost you $50.
What if your budget can't fit these expenditures, but you still want to achieve your fitness goals? With a little determination, you can achieve just as much or more than someone with all the trappings named above.
Doing Without the Gear: Cheap Workout Equipment
Getting an aerobic workout or building muscle is in no way dependent on expensive equipment. For cardiovascular fitness, there are numerous free activities to choose from:
- Use a jump rope in your own living room.
- Go for a walk or jog in the neighborhood.
- Go hiking in a nearby park.
- Get a group together to play pick-up sports: basketball, volleyball, soccer, etc.
For strength training, develop a regimen of calisthenics that use your own body weight for resistance: push-ups, sit-ups, and squats are classic examples. Consult on-line sources for other variations that focus on specific muscle groups. (Paul Becker provides a list of suggested exercises at BodyBuilder.com.)
In place of free weights, find conveniently sized and weighted objects around your home. For arm strength, try lifting soup cans from various positions. Upgrade to larger items--such as 1- or 2-liter soda bottles--as you are able.
Getting Around the Gym Membership: Cheap Fitness Programs
Yes, joining a gym can help provide the motivation to work out: you've paid for the membership, so now you'd better go. Especially if you sign up for a scheduled class at the gym, you'll make the effort to get there. There's also the benefit of being around other motivated exercisers and trainers. However, there are many no-cost incentive tactics you can try instead:
- Map out your fitness goals and associated plans and tell a few close friends and family. Ask them to periodically ask you how it's going.
- Find a friend or family member with similar goals and commit to working out together. Use this as a time to talk and catch up.
- Form a fitness group that meets at regular times throughout the week for jogging, walking, or sports. Enhance the social aspect of the group by occasionally getting together for other activities, such as family picnics.
- Get a group together at the office to go walking before work, at lunch hour, or after work.
- If logistically possible, walk or bike to work. Use the saved gas money to put toward something fun.
Foregoing Fitness Fashion: Cheap Workout Clothes
The only piece of apparel you'll really need to invest in is comfortable and supportive shoes, and if you're working out in your living room, you won't even require those. Other than that, all you need is comfortable loose-fitting clothing. Your cotton T-shirt from last year's family reunion will work, even though it may not breath as well as the Adidas CLIMACOOL model.
Sources
- Adidas Shop. Men's TECHFIT PowerWEB Short Sleeve Tee. Accessed 18 March 2011.
- Becker, Paul. BodyBuilder.com. Workout w/o Weights. Accessed 18 March 2011.
- Cost Helper. How Much Does a Fitness Club Cost? Accessed 18 March 2011.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Marisa Beck - I am a freelance writer and adventurer, born and raised in the Washington, DC metro area. In October of 2009, my husband and I quit our ...
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