Summer might be coming to an end, but it feels like staying in shape in a year-round battle. It doesn’t matter if you are balancing a career and kids or just trying to be the best you that you can be – getting fit takes time and, in some cases, can cost a lot of money.
This is especially true when it comes to paying for a gym membership. According to Freakonomics, most people overestimate how much they will actually use their membership and this turns that $50 monthly fee into a waste of money. However, you don’t need to fall into this trap and here are some ways to get fit without paying for a gym membership.
1) Start Walking
Taking the elevator or driving the car to the corner store can seem convenient, but walking is not only a great way to burn calories it is also a low-intensity exercise which almost anyone can do.
However, walking is more than just putting in 10,000 steps every day – though that helps. It’s about the act of getting off the couch and getting active; from there, the mindset that starts to kick in. Why take the elevator when you the stairs will get you there? So, if you want to get fit, then start walking.
2) Free Apps and Videos
This is a dirty little (not so) secret which most gyms don’t want to you know about. There is no need to pay for a membership as you can choose from several free fitness apps and training videos online.
These include apps such as Couch to 5K, MyFitnessPal, and Daily Yoga among others. In addition, you can find thousands of training videos available for no charge – though those darned commercials might kick in – on YouTube.
While the gyms try to sell you on their classes and personal training sessions, the reality is that you will need to fit these into their schedule. Compare this to the no-cost apps and videos and videos and the choice is easy – ditch the gym membership and get the workouts you want whenever you want them.
3) Get Your Own Equipment
Another selling point for most gyms is the breadth of machines they have on offer. But here is the truth, the popular machines are in use when you want them. To make matters worse, the money you’d spend on one year’s gym membership could be spent on buying the equipment you want to use at home, and you might even have a little left over.
4) Reduce Your Stress Level
As you probably know, one of the biggest drivers of stress in our lives is money and worrying about money impact your ability to stay healthy. Now, this doesn’t mean that you bury your head in the sand and never look at your bank account again.
Instead, what you want to do take actions to address your concerns. This could include reducing your expenses, such as a gym membership you never use or finding another source of income. For some of this, it might mean taking on small jobs via sites such as Upwork and other, while those over 62 might want to consider a reverse mortgage as a tax-free way to tap into the equity you’ve built up in your home.
If this interests you, then you might want to check out some of the costs associated with a reverse mortgage as this will give you some of the information you need to make an educated decision – which again will reduce your stress level. For some of this, it might mean taking on small jobs via sites such as Upwork and other, while those over 62 might want to
consider a reverse mortgage loan as a tax-free way to tap into the
equity you’ve built up in your home.
5) Activate Your Family
It is easier than ever before to become immersed in what is on TV or your cell phone but there is an entire world out there just waiting to be explored. If you want to make getting fit fun, then look for ways to activate your family by exercising together.
Not only will this get everyone off the couch, but these shared activities will create memories which will last a lifetime. Just one piece of advice – don’t stop to take selfies. Instead, learn how to enjoy the moment as it is all about sharing time together and getting fit.
6) Get Enough Sleep
It doesn’t matter how much you exercise, if you don’t sleep right then your body will never be in tip-top shape. As such, you want to make it a point to get enough sleep. For starters, this means putting down the cell phone when it gets close to bedtime as staring at your screen not only stresses your eyes, but it makes it harder for you get ready for sleep.
Beyond this, you will also want to pay attention to your sleep schedule and this could include trying to get to bed at a certain time every day and even ditching the alarm. Doing so will allow your body to become attuned to its natural sleep cycle and this will give you the quality rest you need to get fit without paying for a gym membership.