One of the most common excuses I hear for why some people can’t be more physically active is that “I can’t afford it.” So does that mean you can’t afford to keep yourself healthy?
The only thing that is preventing you from exercise is your perspective. You don’t have to have a gym membership or a personal trainer to train your body—in fact; it doesn’t have to cost a dime.
Here are some tips for those who want to get fitter with exercise but are on a budget:
1. Use the World Wide Web.
In our generation we have the luxury of gathering information at the tip of a finger. If you’re web-savvy then start by researching fitness programs online. You can be your own personal trainer and learn how to design a customized workout plan just for you—all you have to do is go out and do it. There are many fitness websites, personal and professional blogs, as well as millions of YouTube videos that can help you.
2. Let Nature be your gym.
The outdoors is one of the cheapest ways to get fit, especially in the summer. Toronto has many great parks and trails that you could use free of charge. Some parks have “outdoor furniture” that can be used as fitness equipment (e.g. chin-ups on jungle gyms). Grab some friends or make some new ones and make use of the basketball and tennis courts, or go for a jog around the track, or use the field to get a workout in. One of my favorite outdoor workouts is to do Hill Sprints in Riverdale Park – 10 of those babies and I’m good to go!
3. Join a Group.
There are many groups that meet regularly for a physical activity at low-cost or no-cost. Whether it’s to meet for a walk, play a sport, or an adventure activity like hiking you can probably find a group that matches your interests and fitness goals. GET Out! offers a free weekly running group for members and if running is not your thing you can do a search online or visit your local library or YMCA for informal community advertisements.
Our bodies don’t need money to make to them move so don’t let low funds keep you from taking care of yourself and getting fit and fabulous!
Trina Mohan is a personal trainer and the founder of Fitter YOU Bootcamp, which offers fitness classes and Mudders training for all genders and fitness levels. She provides motivational tips on all things fitness on Twitter.
