Finding a gym that won’t break the bank can be difficult. First, you have to spend all the money on initial fees, and then you have to keep up with the monthly bill. In addition to all the money you have to drop at the gym, you will need to spend money on gas (or some form of transportation) to get there.
Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to lose weight or get into shape. In fact, you can even do it all without leaving the comfort of your home. Of course, there are still ways to go bankrupt by filling your home with fancy, at-home exercise equipment, but you don’t need to do that either.
Use the Internet
No, sitting on Facebook or Twitter won’t help you lose those last ten pounds—but did you know that logging onto YouTube will? YouTube is a landmine of exercise videos: from yoga to aerobics to cardio to zumba. Search for your favorite workout or look for one that you’ve been meaning to try but have been avoiding. You can even find popular workouts like P90X if you look hard enough. Many exercise instructors even have their own YouTube channels where they post different exercise routines that they do in the studio. Another benefit of YouTube exercises is that you can get variety. Do you want to stick to a ten minute high-intensity workout? You are sure to find one. Are you not really feeling the instructor’s teaching style? Find a new one without losing the money you spent on a class.
Break out the Tapes
Okay, so you might be using DVDs now, but you get the idea. If you don’t have your own workout videos, don’t despair; there are so many places to choose from when looking for a good workout video. Try your local library; there are probably tons of videos just sitting there, waiting for a good home. Many public libraries will order things for you if you request them at the front desk. Don’t be shy. You will be sure to save a lot of money, too.
Additionally, you won’t have to worry about gas money or bus money or anything that involves money and traveling, really. You can do it all at home. You can also avoid embarrassment by looking as silly as you want without anyone there to watch.
Get on Craigslist
If you look hard enough, you can find fully operating exercise machines for free. Often times, people looking to get rid of bulky exercise equipment will post them on Craigslist. As long as you are willing to come haul them away, they’ll give them to you for free.
If you aren’t patient enough to sort through various local listings or don’t want to wait, check garage sales and thrift stores. The items won’t be free, but you can probably find pretty good deals. Even for a small fee, at-home exercise equipment will be cheaper than a gym membership. And don’t be afraid to haggle when you come across the perfect piece. If you’re going to be cheap, do it right! Most people will just be happy to have a bulky exercise machine off their hands.
Multitask
If you really want to save money and make your home workouts count, put a little extra kick into your chores at home. Try putting on some upbeat music while you’re doing the dishes, mopping the kitchen, or vacuuming the bedrooms. If you really want to keep yourself motivated, try setting a goal for yourself. For example, finish a chore in ten minutes. You won’t have to spend any money, and you can finish all of those chores you have been meaning to get done.
Use Your Imagination
You may already have exercise equipment in your home without being aware of it. Do you have a jump rope? That works. What about a trampoline, a hula hoop, or a step stool? All of these things can work as makeshift exercise equipment. If you aren’t sure how to use a trampoline, for example, look up a few good trampoline workouts on the internet. The internet holds a plethora of workout information. You can also make up your own cardio workouts without any of the equipment. Use toys or furniture as obstacles and create your own interval workout in the backyard.
Guest blogger Lindsey Clement seems to forever be under the yoke of two things: a tight budget and a tight pair of jeans. She loves the idea of pairing money saving strategies and weight loss. Diet and weight loss information from the internet has really helped her keep her budget in check.