Being more active and eating better are in my plans for the new year. Today I’m welcoming Sarah from The Orthodox Mama to share some great ideas for how to get fit without sacrificing your budget.
It’s that time of year again. That time when the Christmas presents have been put away, the New Year has been ushered in, and all across America you can hear a collective groan as people weigh themselves after the holidays. Millions make resolutions to lose weight, to go to the gym each day, and to finally fit into those pre-pregnancy jeans again.
If you have made a similar resolution, you may be tempted to go out and spend a bunch of money on the latest in-home gym equipment, electronic fitness helper, or personal trainer. However, if you are on a tight budget, that might not be prudent or even possible.
Do not despair! You can pursue your fitness goals without spending hundreds of dollars. I have learned that first-hand. In fact, this past year I have undergone a mild revolution in my exercise and fitness habits but have spent very little money doing so.
Here are 5 practical frugal tips I’ve learned along the way:
1- Not All Gyms are Created Equal
If you choose to join a gym, make a list of qualities and amenities that are important to you. Do you need a gym with free childcare? Do you want one with group classes? How about proximity to your house or place of work? What will help motivate you to go to the gym and actually use your membership?
I prioritized group classes. In college I discovered that I love working out with other people in a noncompetitive environment. Yoga, Pilates, Zumba—I enjoy them all! So I looked around my town until I found the gym with the most reasonably priced group classes. I actually discovered a little gem of a gym that charged $30 a month if you only take classes. Score!
Bonus Tip: Many gyms will be running specials and sales at the beginning of the year. Shop around to find the best deals on a gym that has the features you prioritized.
2- Think Outside the Gym
Perhaps you’ve never seen yourself as a “gym person.” Or, perhaps you don’t have the $30-$50 wiggle room in your monthly budget. Then it is time to think outside the gym. Literally! There are so many activities that you can do outdoors to increase your overall fitness. Running, walking, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, snow-shoeing, skiing, and more await you in the great outdoors.
If you are new to an exercise routine or are on a very limited budget, I would recommend walking or running. Lace up your shoes and hit the pavement. You can listen to some great podcasts while you walk or use the time to pray. Or, meet up with a friend and turn it into social time!
I never saw myself as a runner, but I knew that it was one of the least expensive ways to become more fit. So, at the beginning of 2015 I made the goal of completing one 5K race during the year. I trained for a few months and found that I actually enjoyed running! I began looking forward to the half an hour all by myself—a precious commodity for moms of young children. I was incredibly excited and proud of myself when I completed my 5K this past October. In 2016 I’m planning on running a 5K, an 8K, and a 10K. Pretty good for a non-runner!
3- Utilize Workout Videos
If running just isn’t your thing, or if the weather is keeping you indoors, it’s time to turn to workout videos. When trying to decide which video is right for you, you’ll want to keep a couple of things in mind.
First, take an honest assessment of your current fitness level. Some work outs are much more demanding than others, and choosing an advanced option when you’re not ready for it can lead to quick burn out. Second, consider the amount of time that you can dedicate to exercising. You may not have an hour, but do you have 30 minutes? How about 10 minutes? Some of my favorite work outs are the 10 Minutes Pilates series. These DVDs have 6 ten minute work outs that can be combined or done individually. I love being able to tailor my work out!
Bonus Tip: You Tube just might be your best friend if you are trying to get fit on a budget. A simple search on You Tube for “Pilates for Beginners” or “Zumba Workout for Beginners” will yield MANY results. Try a few and see which work for you!
4- Give the Y a Chance
Many people overlook the great opportunities available at their local YMCA. Most Ys have group classes, pools, exercise equipment, and more. But the best part, at least for those on a limited budget, is that most calculate their rates based upon your income.
A friend of mine purchased a year-long membership at the YMCA in her neighborhood when she had two young children and a husband who was deployed. The Y offered free childcare so that she was able to enjoy her group classes without paying for a babysitter. During those classes she discovered her love for fitness, which led to her career as a yoga instructor. So, go online to discover the rates at your YMCA—who knows where it may lead!
5- Remember That Becoming Fit is a Lifestyle
Finally, as you try to incorporate more exercise into your life, don’t forget to up your activity level on a day-to-day basis. Play tag with your kids. Jog a few laps around the park while they play. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. All of these small changes add up to a healthier you.
Also, healthy living involves more than just exercising. Sleeping well, eating right, and taking care of our spiritual health are also important. You can read more about this and helpful hints for Healthy Living on a Budget over on The Orthodox Mama.
You can make 2016 your healthiest year ever—and you don’t even have to break the bank to do it.
How about you?
- What are your best frugal fitness tips?
Sarah Wright is an Orthodox Christian, wife to her husband Dan, and mother to three young children. She also is a full-time middle school teacher and has just written her first children’s book. Sarah writes at The Orthodox Mama, a blog about faith, family, and frugal living. Some of the most popular posts include Engaging Children in Church: Tips and Tricks for Parents and What Frugal People Freeze. You’re invited to head over and take a look!
Awesome points such a beauty-full post, thanks for sharing this post.
Hi there Sarah, nice to see your guest post here. I really enjoyed reading through it. I am not a big fan of the gym, but prefer doing some functional fitness workouts. Youtube is one resource that I cannot compare it to any other. Thanks for sharing.
Cindy
Thanks so much, Cindy! Youtube is definitely an amazing free resource. It’s crazy all of the quality videos that you can find there!
Gyms don’t really work for me anymore. I don’t like the idea of my children going to the gym daycare while I workout. The “daycare” is usually a small room with a few toys and a tv. That just feels wrong to me that I get a workout and they get forced inactivity. Instead we do body weight workouts together at home, walk most places we go, play active video games, some light weight work to teach the children proper form and participate in outdoor recreation together.
I do most of my exercising with my kids too.
I’m glad you’ve found ways to increase your family’s fitness and have fun together, too!
Great tips and so true that all gyms are not equal! For it to be worth the cost for me I need a gym that is close to home, with childcare, and with group classes!
Me and you both, Erin! It’s good that you know what is important to you!
Great ideas! I am a big fan of YouTube workout videos because they are free and as usually under 30 minutes. The biggest challenge is finding an instructor you like! My favorites are Pop Pilates, which features beginner to advanced Pilates, and the fitnessista has some challenging barre and HIIT videos.
Also takin family hikes and bike rides on the weekends help integrate activity into our daily lives.
We love family activities too!
Thanks for sharing your favorites. I haven’t tried any barre workouts yet, but the idea is really intriguing!
I have been trying to be healthier as one of my goals for this year also without spending a lot. Glad to know that you have similar goals and want to share ideas. These are things I have been doing that are working for me and have made things easier so far. I feel that if things are too hard I won’t do them for long. I lost 5 pounds last week which is when I started working toward my goals. I was later than January 1st getting started due to an ankle injury and not having groceries. I know..excuses..excuses, lol.
1. Switch to water if you haven’t already, It’s free, good for your body and makes you feel fuller! I drink a glass right before each meal and anytime I feel hungry. I have found that sometimes when I feel hungry it’s actually just thirst.
2. Prepare meals ahead of time. I’m packing my lunch so I can only eat what’s in there. Also, I have been making a few healthy meals ahead that can be frozen for quick preparation so that I don’t give in to fatty convenience foods when I’m really hungry.
3. The library has some great work out DVD’s you can check out then switch it up and get a different one. Or if you really like it you can buy it. I recently got a whole Zumba DVD set for $5 at a yard sale.
4. For me exercising in first thing in the morning is a must, if I wait until later in the day the odds of it really happening decrease by the hour, lol.
5. I always keep a few pieces of fruit or similar healthy snack readily available. If I am hungry I eat that first whether it’s what I really want or not and this curbs craving for bad stuff.
6. Don’t weigh daily because it will really mess with your mind. I have found once a week early in the morning is the best time. I traded my battery operated scale for a plain old scale. My kids were constantly draining the battery and it wouldn’t work when I really needed it. The plain old scale works every time and is completely free.
8.Turn off the TV and find something to do instead. I have found almost anything around the house that I do burns more calories than watching TV.
9. If you are into apps, Fitness pal app is awesome and free. I record everything on there and it keeps me accountable. Also, there is a couch to 5k app that is free that I plan to do. Right now I have an injured ankle but I will do this in the future. I think accountablity is a must and you can also have this with your spouse or a good buddy for free.
10. I purposely didn’t set a big goal this time. I have set goals many times in the past and failed so I wanted this year to be different. I just want to be healthy. So I decided to do the best I can each week and be proud of what I have accomplished weekly. I also think I have failed at fitness sometimes because when I mess up, I give up. If I try to focus on doing my best all week then I can enjoy small wins along the way.
Stephanie, I hope you will continue more topics related to frugal fitness in the future. I’m trudging along right there beside on your journey. Thanks!
AWwesome Jennifer! I can tell you’ve put lots of thought into this! And you’re off to a great start! Congrats on those 5 lbs!
Thank you!
These are fantastic tips! I especially love the idea of setting smaller goals for yourself in order to celebrate little accomplishments. You will see a lot of momentum this way!
I started doing my 21 day fix workouts again. I decided to ward off early burnout by only doing 30 seconds of each workout instead of a minute. My out of shape body is thanking me! I love that I can customize the workouts to my fitness ability with modifiers. So next week, I can increase it to 45 seconds, and then do the full minute, then wean off the modifiers. If I can stay committed, I plan to buy a few more workouts to change it up.
I think it’s so important to start where you are and work your way up. That sounds like a good incentive too!
I love that you have modified the workout for something that is doable for you. When I first started going to a Pilates class, I had almost no core strength! I had just had my second C-section seven weeks before and really needed to modify the exercises. So, I would do fewer repetitions, hold poses for shorter times, or just lay and breathe for a few minutes. The day that I was able to do an entire workout was a great one!
This year, I pre-ordered SkinnyMom’s cookbook and got her $50.00 fitness plan for free. It includes workouts, all 3 meals, snacks, and all the grocery lists you need week by week – it has been amazing so far. There is also a private facebook group that offers really fantastic support. So I get the work out, the support, the plan AND a cookbook!
Awesome Lynn! Best of luck to you on your goal!
I have heard really good things about Skinny Mama, but I haven’t tried the program before. I’d love to hear what you think!