Exercise on a budget

SouthernBell86
SouthernBell86 Posts: 275 Member
edited September 21 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey all!
I just thought I would share this tip for new people, or those looking to save some money.

Losing weight doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money. Call your local churches and find out if one of them has a gym that they let the public use.

I pay $10 a month to use one here in my town, and it has several ellipticals, treadmills, rowing and bicycle machines, as well as a full weight room, a basketball court, and a risen walking path above the court. It is Monday through Friday and they have lockers available for use. They even offer some Zumba and other exercise classes at a small extra fee.

While they don't have personal trainers, it has all the essentials for a good exercise regime.

Another thing I frequently use, for free, is one of the special walking track parks my town has. In the summer I've been going after dark to walk a mile or two with a friend or my sister. It is a clean, well lit track that uses recycled tire rubber to form a softer walking surface than pavement. Maybe your town does too?

Take the opportunity to find out the resources that are available in your community for less than the price of a full gym membership. A lot of larger churches do have gyms available as a part of their ministry and way of helping the community, so don't feel that you are using or abusing a church you are not a member of. If you want to get in shape and lose weight, they want to help you do the same!

Okay, well there are my low cost suggestions. Anyone else have some wallet friendly suggestions for working out?

Replies

  • sundinsgurl
    sundinsgurl Posts: 1,157 Member
    running or walking outside..
    push ups.. jumping jacks.. crunches.. high knees.. oblique twists - lots of strength and cardio you can do at home without any equipment

    jump ropes are cheap and are a great workout!
  • JustAmy
    JustAmy Posts: 291
    If you have cable or satellite, there is a Fitness channel with lots of workouts, the only annoying side is the commercials:flowerforyou:
  • katm427
    katm427 Posts: 227 Member
    Also, if you have OnDemand on Comcast, they have a bunch of free workouts (all the joy of going to a class without anyone seeing you all sweaty and gross!).
  • MsElphaba
    MsElphaba Posts: 432 Member
    We have gyms here in Jacksonville that are just $10, not contract. You don't come to workout for a month, you don't pay. Also, my son gave me a Wii Fit Plus for Mother's Day. He got it from GameSpot for $99. SO, it was free for me and has provided many free work outs since May. Borrow workout DVDs from your library. You would have the perk of changing your routine every few weeks and you could spend your precious exercise dollars on the ones you really like.

    Of course, like was said... you have your own body, the internet to find out a variety of exercises plus sidewalks, parks, etc to use. Money, or lack there of, should not be an excuse to miss working out.

    L
  • hroush
    hroush Posts: 2,073 Member
    Watch garage sales or craigslist for cheap (even free) cardio equipment and work out equipment. I am in college so I get "free" use of the rec center. I don't know how many students I have heard have a membership at another gym when the rec center is better.

    I have also become a huge fan of running outside. Use google maps to know how far you've ran or to find a route for the distance you want to cover.
  • Kath15
    Kath15 Posts: 165 Member
    Most public libraries carry exercise DVDs. And, if your family already has access to On Demand on your pay tv provider, there's a ton of free workout videos on it -usually including Jillian Michaels, Biggest Loser and a bunch of others.
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    I pay about $15 a year for my Shape and Self magazine subscriptions - I pay it up front and the rest of the year I don't have to worry about it and each month is a different muscle group that they include work outs for and if I like it, I include it in my strength routine! :] I also run outside, take walks, and use a Pilates DVD I bought at a resale shop for $1 as well as a copy of Ab Ripper X that a friend gave me. :happy:

    So you could say my work out regimen is definitely cheap!! ^_^ I paid $14 for my set of 8 lb weights, and also use a pair of 10 lbs that belong to my boyfriend, and a pair of 5 lbs that another friend gave me.
  • jenism
    jenism Posts: 31 Member
    There are tons of free workout videos on YouTube.
This discussion has been closed.

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