How much are you spending on getting in shape? In March 2014, MarketWatch reported that the average gym membership was $41 per month, which adds up to more than $400 per year.
If you can afford it and actually go to the gym, that monthly fee can be money well spent. But, MarketWatch also noted that nearly 30 percent of people who were once members of a gym ended up quitting because they didn’t use their memberships.
This year, drop the gym and find ways to exercise on a budget.
Pin it to Win it
Pinterest is more than just a social media site to turn to when you need a creative recipe or fashion advice. It also a place to go when you want to exercise on a budget. Whether you want to try a few basic workouts or are looking for something more specific, such as a Pilates sequence or yoga poses, plenty of users have found and “pinned” routines from all around the web. You can pin the workouts you like to your own exercise board and give them a try. The best thing is that if you absolutely don’t like the workout, you can unpin it and forget about it, without spending a dime.
Put Netflix to Good Use
If you get DVDs in the mail from Netflix, try renting a workout DVD or two. Using Netflix to try out a workout video is a great way to try something new in the fitness world, without committing to it. For example, you try Pilates for the first time with a DVD rental or give Ballet Barre a shot. Don’t have a Netflix subscription? Head to your local library and check out their selection of DVDs. You may only get to check out the DVD for a few weeks, but you can always renew it or check it out again if you really like it. Another way to get free workout videos is to head to YouTube, which has several fitness channels full of exercise videos and tips.
Get a Buddy
One of the benefits of working with a trainer is that he or she holds you accountable. You don’t get to stop running when you feel tired or set down the weights until your workout is over. But, being held accountable can come at a price. A more budget-friendly way to make sure you stick to your exercise and workout routine is to find a friend who also wants to get in shape and commit to working out together. Plenty of exercises are pretty much free once you have the equipment, and having someone to join you can make the exercise a lot more enjoyable. If your preferred exercise is going for a brisk walk, get a friend to tag along. You can challenge each other to see who can walk from one end of the block to the next the quickest or to see who walks the farthest on any one day. You’ll be socializing and getting in shape without spending a lot of money to do so.
Your 2015 budget might not have a line for working out or getting in shape. But, that doesn’t mean you have to put your exercise goals on the back burner until your budget loosens up. There are so many ways to exercise on a budget that you don’t have any excuse not to lace up your sneakers and get moving.
Image source: Flickr
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