There comes a time – or for some several times – in the year, when the guilt of not keeping fit creeps in. While you don’t need to be hitting the gym several times a week, getting twenty minutes of exercise every day is important to do.
However, not everyone has the ability to invest in a static bike for their home gym or pay an obscene amount to attend a premium gym. That doesn’t mean you can’t work out. In fact, that excuse becomes obsolete once you know just how easy and affordable working out can truly be.
If you’re looking to work out on a budget this year, here are some top tips for doing just that and seeing the results you’re longing to find.
Bulk cook healthy meals for the week ahead
To help keep your body on track for the workouts themselves, it’s important to eat healthily. Eating healthily and getting a good balance of food isn’t easy though, unless you’re organized. Bulk-cooking meals are a great way to get yourself in the mood to work out because you’ll be consuming all the good stuff that gives you the energy needed.
With that in mind, find a day in the week or at the weekend, ideally Sunday, to bulk cook all of your food for the week ahead. That way, your fridge, and freezer will always be stocked full of goodies. It’ll prevent you from picking up the phone to order fast food and it’ll save you a lot of money in the process.
Buy cheap fitness equipment for the home
Part of the challenge that comes with working out on a budget is not having the available equipment available at home. However, there are plenty of affordable equipment options out there, despite how limited your budget might be. Browse fitness equipment for sale online and don’t forget to take a look at the Facebook marketplace as this is a great place for cheap deals.
Fitness equipment doesn’t need to cost the earth and can be relatively affordable if you know where to look. You also don’t need every bit of equipment made, sometimes one or two will suffice.
Don’t get swept into the sales pitch of an expensive gym
It’s easy enough to find yourself in the salesroom or on the floor of a gym, being pitched by the sales team on their membership. Of course, some gyms are great for those who are struggling to get fit and require a specific setting to motivate themselves. Some just enjoy the luxury of a well-kitted-out gym.
However, forking out hundreds for a gym membership isn’t realistic for everyone and so it’s important to consider the alternatives. There are gyms out there that are a fraction of the price and at the end of the day, have pretty much the same type of equipment you need to do a workout.
Next time that sales pitch comes from the flash gym trainers, run out the doors as fast as you can.
Make your own protein or pre-workout shakes
While protein shakes or pre-workout shakes are useful when aiding your workouts, they can soon become an absolute fortune to maintain. It’s important to look at cost-effective ways that help reduce the cost of your shakes but don’t sacrifice the sustenance it gives you.
With that in mind, take a look at what’s required for a protein/pre-workout shake and make them from scratch. There are plenty of natural ingredients that you can use in your own homemade shakes and that will work just as well when it comes to assisting your fitness workouts.
Experiment with different ingredients and find the recipes that work best for what you’re after. Chances are, you’ll find you save an absolute fortune.
Hit the stairs
If you’re looking for a fairly cost-effective workout that doesn’t cost a single dime, then hit the stairs. Yes, any stairs whether that’s your own household stairs, to the stairs leading up to your apartment, or to your workplace.
Climbing stairs are a great way to lose weight and while it can be pretty exhaustive work, it can do wonders to help you shed the pounds without needing to spend any money.
You should always aim to hit around 10,000 steps per day. This, alongside any fitness routine, is sure to do you good when trying to lose weight or to just get fitter. Look at hitting the stai
Use your furniture for working out
Talking of freebies, why not use your furniture when it comes to working out on a budget? Chairs, stools, and other furniture like your coffee or dining table can prove useful when trying to do workouts.
If you’re struggling to invest in fitness equipment, take a look at what’s available around your home and what online fitness experts suggest you use as an alternative.
While you may not want to use your more prized possessions as fitness equipment, there’s still plenty around the home that will make do.
Take a look at what you have available and don’t forget about anything that may be available outdoors in terms of furniture too.
Exercise with friends at a local park
A good budget option for those looking to save some money is by working out in a local park. Some parks will even have fitness equipment available such as monkey bars or static bikes. It’s worth exploring your local area to see what’s available and what might prove useful when you’re on a budget.
If you don’t like working out alone, why not exercise with some friends instead? Take yourself down to a local park and meet up with friends for an exercise class. Perhaps you can do yoga together or bring your limited equipment together in order to do more with your workout. Anything like this is a great way to save yourself some money.
Working out on a budget is certainly doable and sometimes, it just takes a bit of creative thinking. Use these tips to work out on the cheap!
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