It’s time for New Year resolutions and most of us are keen to get started on our fitness journey. For newbies to fitness, it may come as a surprise that you may have to make a little investment to get started, but at the end of the day, health is wealth, and if you’re going to spend money on something, your wellbeing is a great place to start!
Now, having said that, you don’t need to spend all your money in order to get started or even to maintain a fit lifestyle and there are ways you can be prudent and still achieve your goals. It’s important to think of getting healthy and fit as a lifestyle choice versus a quick fix (it’s more than just getting a flat tummy or summer body!). Embracing fitness as a lifestyle will help you stay focused on your journey and also help you make the best choices that support the fit life.
When it comes to fitness, there are 2 main areas where some expenses may be required: coaching and fitness apparel.
Having a coach comes with great benefits, but can also come with great expense, however, there are several hacks that can help you save money. YouTube is a great source of workout information and there are tons of training resources available for free on the web. If you are not able to afford a coach or fitness instructor at the gym, avail yourself of free resources online and get the info you need to develop a workout program. Also, some gyms provide different membership levels and if you are not able to pay for 24/7 monthly memberships, you could select a lower tier and supplement your program with home or outdoor workouts.
Outdoor exercises such as running, jogging, skipping, cycling, swimming, and hiking come with numerous benefits. You get to not only exercise your body, but you experience nature, and this comes with other therapeutic benefits. Also, there are no membership costs for exercising outside, you get to work out for as long as you want, and you have lots of options of outdoor spaces to choose from.
Now, if you must get the services of a personal trainer, you can consider having a friend join your sessions so that you split the cost. Besides saving money, you get to have fun sessions, you motivate each other, and you also get the benefits of a trainer (customized workouts, meal plans etc.) at half the price!
We know how expensive workout clothes and shoes can be, especially for those who love to make a fashion statement, but remember, cut your cloth according to your size. We of course recommend you wear quality clothes and shoes (Bodystation has a fine selection of gym wears) and you’d see that the benefits you get from working out in suitable comfortable clothing far outweigh the costs of getting the gym wear. You can also style your gym wear as casual or leisure clothing; those leggings are not only designed for the gym; they can also be worn on quick trips to the store, or even hanging out with friends at home or at a lounge.
Always remember that investing in in your fitness is an investment in yourself and your future, and with the tips shared above, you can still enjoy a fit life without breaking the bank!
What other tips do you have for staying fit on a budget? Do share them below in the comment section, and who knows, you just may help someone save a ton of money!
nice write up