Monthly Gym fees can be a deterrent to keeping in shape, but it does not have to be. There are a number of things you can do to stay in shape and exercise within your budget. You can get fit and stay in shape doing simple exercises from home, using inexpensive equipment. There is absolutely no need to buy expensive equipment you cannot afford, to work-out and lose weight. Let’s look at some of these inexpensive ways to get a great workout and to stay in shape, while exercising within your budget.
8 ways to exercise within your Budget
- Jump Rope (Less Than $10) – You often see boxers, wrestlers, and other professional athletes doing it. This is something we all did as kids and thought nothing of it. It was a fun way to pass our time. However, Jumping rope strengthens both upper and lower body and gives a good cardio workout. This is an amazing way to burn calories. Jumping rope for 10 minutes is seen as the equivalent to running an eight minute mile (Science Daily). No only is this simple exercise effective but it also allows you to exercise within your budget.
- Resistance Bands (Start Around $10) – Very unassuming in its appearance, these have a bands are remarkably effective in giving you a total body workout in a short amount of time. Resistance training can tone nearly every muscle in your body, and the intense workout will burn calories. They normally come with instructions on how to use them, they are very lightweight and stores very easily. At a cost of around $10, this is great bang for your buck.
- Hand Weights/Dumbbells ($15) – A pair of hand weights or dumbbells offers a great upper-body workout. This implement is typically used in joint-isolation exercises, where it isolates specific muscles and helps to build and strengthen those muscles. Alternatively you can find weighted objects around the house such as a water bottle (gallon), socks filled with dried beans or sand, or a bag of rice. Any of these would definitely allow you to exercise within your budget.
- Medicine Ball (About $20) – Medicine balls look like basketballs but are weighted. They help to enhance muscle strength, coordination, agility, and balance. Some simple exercises you may try includes holding the medicine ball above your head while doing lateral flexes to tone your abdominal obliques. You may also try squeezing the ball between your knees while doing some reverse curls.
- Stability Ball ($10-$20) – Stability balls are a great way to work your core muscles (abs, back, sides, and even your upper thighs). The ball is wobbly, and your core muscles work to keep you stable. This is such a simple piece of equipment yet it has such an amazing effect on your body.
- Walking or Running Shoes ($40-$120) – Your feet absorb the impact of every step, so it’s important for walkers and runners to have good shoes. Take your time to choose shoes that are the most comfortable. Many running stores will analyze your gait and recommend shoes that are appropriate for the way you run or walk. Walk around the store when you try the shoes on, and make sure they feel comfortable and your feet feel supported. A basic running or walking shoe can start at about $40, and go up to $150 for more advanced shoe models. Though this may seem a bit expensive compared to the others, we do not recommend that you skimp on this one. It is important to have good running shoes if you are a walker or runner.
- Youtube Videos (free) – Now-a-days people have access to large amounts of information via Internet. There is a wide variety of exercise videos ranging from simple aerobic to body building. Many of these exercises do not require any kind of equipment. They will most definitely not be a drain on your pocket book and so will allow you to exercise within your budget.
- Staircase (Free) – Always available, step exercises are great for working your lower body. This is an easy workout available to you at your home (if you have stairs) or at work.
