How to Exercise When You're on a Budget

_{You may think getting a good workout requires shelling out money for gym memberships or tons of equipment, but there are alternatives. Learn how to exercise when you are on a budget.}

How to exercise on a budget - woman stretching her legs before a run

How to Exercise When You’re on a Budget

Hitting the gym requires more cash and commitment than we care for, but treadmills aren’t the only way to stay in shape. Did you know that getting fit doesn’t have to cost you a fortune?

That’s right you don’t have to buy the latest exercise machine or even a gym membership. If you’re looking to get or keep fit, there are loads of great ways to exercise, live healthily, and get a fit body without going to the gym. Here are some easy ways that you can exercise on a budget.

exercising on a budget - two people running outside

Inexpensive Equipment

You don’t HAVE to buy any exercise equipment to get a good workout in, but if you are going to buy some exercise equipment, opt for the less expensive options.

Small items that can be easily stored like jump ropes, resistance bands, and dumbbells can give you a great workout without breaking the bank or taking up a lot of room in your home.

If you’re really looking to save some money, keep an eye on Freecycle where you’ll sometimes find old gym equipment that you can pick up for free.

Consider Bodyweight Exercises

Bodyweight exercises are those that use the body’s weight to work the muscles. This means that you don’t have to have a weight bench or other expensive equipment cluttering up your home for you to get a good workout in.

Bodyweight exercises include lunges, squats, push-ups, leg raises, and bicycle crunches, to name a few. You can use these exercises and others like them to get a full-body workout, with no equipment necessary.

free exercising resources online - women watching video on laptop

Use Free Fitness Resources

You don’t have to buy every workout video that you would like to use. You can find free workout videos on YouTube and at your local library. If you have a subscription video service like Amazon, Netflix, or YouTube there are workout videos available to you on those platforms as well for no additional cost.

These tutorials are some of the best ways to get fit at home. There are thousands of free-to-watch fitness routines to choose from and most don’t require any equipment. This is such a great resource for you to exercise when you’re on a budget.

woman walking dog exercising on a budget

Go for a Walk

Getting active doesn’t mean that you have to head to the gym every day. Go for a walk in the park.

And if you really want to amp up on exercise, grab your running shoes or trainers and go for a jog around your local area – you might also be surprised at what you see. If you find yourself at a park, much of the equipment can be used for your fitness routine. Use the resources that you have readily available to you.

Do you live near an amazing state park or national park? Take the family out for a hike for the day, get away from the screens, and enjoy time with each other and the nature that surrounds you.

having a workout buddy - two women in gym

Find a Workout Buddy

Getting your workout in never seems quite as bad if you have someone to sweat it out with you. Find a friend or family member to work out with you a few times a week and to be your accountability partner.

Motivation comes a lot easier when you have a friend to help you along the way.

low cost workout class - woman doing yoga outside

Low-Cost Classes

You don’t have to be a gym member to find some fun and engaging workout classes in your area. Local churches, community centers, and even parks are great places to find low-cost fitness classes that don’t require a long-term commitment.

These classes are usually somewhere between $5-$10 per person and you only pay for the classes that you attend. These classes are often a great way to meet a new workout buddy too! Think about searching out sites such as Living Social or Groupon.

Housework is Exercise

Remember, you don’t have to leave the house to get a great workout. All the scrubbing, dusting, and moving around that comes with keeping your house in order counts as exercise, too. You can use a calorie calculator like this one to see how many calories your cleaning is burning.

Use What You Have

Use what you have available to you instead of rushing out to buy something new. Don’t have any dumbbells at home? Canned vegetables work just as well. Wishing you had a step platform, but you do have stairs in your home?

Use them! Trying out yoga for the first time, but you don’t have a mat? Make one by folding a few blankets or towels together.