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With summer approaching, it’s not too late to get your beach body ready without spending a ton of money on gym memberships and personal trainers. There are plenty of fun and low-cost ways to stay fit while also enjoying the fresh spring air. Here are just a few of our favorite ways to get active—but we’re sure you’ll have more ideas to add by the end of the list.
1. Get Pedaling
There’s no better way to cruise around town without a car and get a workout than buying a bicycle. Not only will you save a ton of money on gas, but you’ll also burn calories while doing it. Hopping on a bike and hitting the roads on the weekends is a great way to stay in shape without the monthly dues of a gym.
2. Go for a Run
This is the easiest alternative to a gym membership. All you need is a good pair of running shoes and some dedication to get into running. The best thing about this hobby is you can start and stop whenever you want, meaning you can work out on your own terms. Start with a slow jog and casually work up to a steady run on your own time without fighting over treadmills at the local gym.
3. Stream Workouts
YouTube is the best friend for those looking to work out without taking out a credit card. Thousands of workout programs online offer free workouts that use basic workout materials. You can watch a full-body-weight circuit from the comfort of your own home for free. You can save time and gas by driving to the gym and participating in these convenient home workouts.
4. Start Walking
I’m sure you have heard people talking about getting their steps in. More and more people are improving their fitness and burning excess calories by walking. You can increase your daily step count with a morning or evening walk, parking in the back of the parking lot, or trading your lunch break for an afternoon stroll.
5. Play with Your Kids
Do you take your kids to the local playground? Next time you watch them play, jump into the action with them. You won’t believe how many calories you can burn playing on the monkey bars or running up and down the stairs for the slide. As a 40-year-old, one or two rounds of this gives me a better workout than any gym could.
6. Take a Hike
There are so many benefits to getting outside and enjoying the outdoors. Look up some of your town’s local hiking trails for a free afternoon of fresh air and exercise. Public parks are free and a great way to get in great shape.
7. Join a Rec League
Many towns have leagues for adults to play team sports like softball, flag football, kickball, or soccer. This is a great social experience and an easy way to stay active and fit. Not only will you make new friends, but you will also have an outlet for getting active and burning some needed calories.
8. Take a Swim
Swimming is one of the best all-around workouts you can do for your body. Most towns have public pools or rec centers that allow you to use their pool for free or at a discounted rate. Swimming is something you can do on your own, on your own time, so it’s the perfect hobby to keep you fit and healthy.
9. Focus on Body Weight Exercises
Your own body weight can be your most useful equipment when it comes to working out. Simple exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and dips are easy to do at home. Ditch that expensive equipment and get your body back in shape by simply using the weight you’re trying to lose.
10. Take a Dance Class
Often, the best workouts are the ones we don’t necessarily consider workouts. One of the best examples of this is dancing. Many people associate dancing with having fun. What’s better than having fun while getting in an amazing workout? Put on your dancing shoes and shake your body for a night of calorie-burning fun!
11. Take the Stairs
No more elevators or escalators. Taking the stairs can burn some extra calories throughout your day. You can even take it a step further by finding some local stairs and running up them like you are training for a fight like Rocky.
12. Download a Calorie Counter
Dozens of calorie counters and fitness apps are available for download on your smartphone. Programs like Strava, MyFitnessPal, Aaptiv, Fitbit, and Google Fit are great resources for tracking your workouts and calorie intake. Staying on track with your fitness is hard, but these apps will help you stay focused and push forward with your daily goals.
13. Be a Dog Walker
If you’re having trouble getting your steps in, being a dog walker is a great way to force yourself to walk while also making some extra cash. There’s a demand for people willing to walk other people’s dogs. Signing up allows you to enjoy an afternoon hanging out with cute pups while getting those much-needed steps in. Sounds like a win-win to me.
14. Look for Free Fitness Classes
Check bulletin boards at the local rec center for free classes. You can find free pilates, yoga, swimming, or cardio workouts. Not only will you get a free workout, but you might also find a new workout routine that you never knew you liked.
15. Challenge Your Friends to a Workout Competition
What better way to stay motivated and focused than competing with your friends in an exercise competition? See if your circle of friends wants to challenge you to see who can burn the most calories or take the most steps in a month. The competition will keep you wanting to win while helping you get fit and healthy.
16. Loophole: Share a Membership With a Friend
Here’s a fun fact: Many gyms offer their members a companion pass to bring a friend with them when they visit. So why don’t you share the fees with a friend? You’re not doing anything wrong, and your gym membership fees have been cut in half. Problem solved.
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