Staying fit and saving money don’t always go hand in hand. But they definitely can. There are so many ways to stay fit without breaking the bank. It just takes a little dedication, initiative and maybe the help of a few friends. Here are 10 ways that you can get your best possible workout for no cost at all.
Take a Hike
This is a classic! Hiking is a foolproof way to banish fat for free. All you really need is your body and a hiking trail. Hiking uphill can burn up to 500 calories per hour depending upon your body weight. Every city or town has a location where you can take a hike. You can embark on your hike alone and or you can bring friends and make it a group outing. Spending time in nature is also known to be a stress reliever.
Jog It Out
Around 60 million people engage in trail running and jogging to stay fit on a regular basis annually, and with good reason. Jogging can burn up to 550 calories per hour and it can be extremely rewarding to see yourself improve and run faster and longer over time.
Youtube Workout Videos
When all else fails… Youtube. This is the alternative many people are trying when they don’t know where to start with fitness but can’t afford a personal trainer. Even if you do know something about fitness, there are scores of trainers on YouTube who will help you reach your potential in fitness… for absolutely no cost.
Go to a local high school and find the bleachers
People don’t always realize that nearly every high school has a free stair master… and that’s the bleachers surrounding the football or soccer field. Hit the bleachers and do a few short sprints, or walk for up to 20 minutes… or as long as your legs will allow. It’s up to you to decide how to format your faux stair master workout.
Push-Ups and Tricep Dips
Push-ups and triceps dips are classic arm workouts that require no equipment. Simply bend your knees with your back facing a chair, box or platform and place your hands on the seat with the edges of your fingers hanging off. Straighten out your legs and push your body upward, then lower it bending at your elbows, you’ll feel it after only a few dips. Pushups only take your body weight, but to up the stakes, you can place anything from a pair of shoes to a small weight if you want to add extra pounds for difficulty.
Jumping Rope
This childhood classic is also a major fat burner. Jumping rope can burn an average of 500 calories per hour. If you do a 30-minute jump rope workout you’ll still weigh in at 250 calories… Not bad.
Body Weight Exercises
Bodyweight exercises can include weight-free squats and lunges, squat jumps and lunge jumps, jumping jacks, crunches and any number of calisthenics that don’t require any equipment at all. Bodyweight exercises are perfect for HIIT workouts. Try to rotate movements that engage large muscle groups with push-ups and you have a comprehensive high-intensity workout that costs zero dollars.
Grab a Few Friends and Hit the track
Running was listed above, but running for a long distance and sprinting fatigue your muscles in fundamentally different ways. Sprinting for short distances engages your fast-twitch muscle fibers whereas jogging engages your slow-twitch muscle fibers. Sprinting is a more high-intensity activity, so although you may be sore both after long and short distance running, after a sprinting workout you will notice more muscle growth.
Hit The Court or The field
Find a local basketball court or field at a high school, bring a few friends and go to work. Get your competitive juices flowing by playing a team sport. Play a few games of basketball, football, soccer, rugby, lacrosse, volleyball, you name it. You can burn a whopping 700 calories per hour playing basketball and soccer and 400 playing volleyball or lacrosse. So hit the court or the field for your best workout. And best of all… It’s free.
Fitness Apps
Fitness apps are the best new way to keep up with your fitness routine. It’s easier than ever to find aid to help you keep up with your fitness regimen or come up with innovative workouts. Aaptiv is a comprehensive fitness app that connects you with other active people in your community and helps you to find workout plans and connect with personal trainers.
