8 Ways to Save Money and Stay Fit : Blaming expensive gym memberships as your reason for avoiding workouts? Think again. There are a plethora of ways to save big on staying fit, don’t miss these top 8.
Save Money and Stay Fit
Free Fitness
Do the things which don’t cost money but still burn calories – low-impact activities like hiking, playing frisbee, or going swimming at a natural water hole. Or look for free classes and activities local gyms and studios are offering – oftentimes on select days of the month, i.e. third Wednesday of the month, classes are open to the community for groups and clubs that are looking to rope in new members. Sporting goods and athletic wear stores have also been known to host community-building fitness classes at no cost to the public.
Look for Promotions
Want to get a great deal? Then sniff them out! Follow local gyms and speciality studios on social media to hear about the latest promos and offers first. Sign up for Groupon, Amazon Local, or other daily deal sites that may have discounts on gym memberships or exercise equipment you want like a wobble cushion or resistance bands. Or sign up for ClassPass or CourseHorse, membership programs that give you discounted access to loads of classes at boutique studios and fitness clubs (think SoulCycle, PureBarre, etc).
Join a Meetup Group
Love rock climbing? Can’t get enough of swing dancing? Chances are there’s a Meetup group or local sports league near you that shares your interests and offers loads of opportunities for you to join in on the fun. Local businesses, often restaurants and bars, sponsor recreational adult sports teams as well so don’t be shy about reaching out and seeing what is available to you.
Become a Member at the Right Time
Is there a right and wrong time to join a gym? Not exactly. But there are times of the year where you are more likely to snag great deals and discounts. Naturally, New Year’s full of its resolutions and fresh beginnings is when gyms go haywire to get you signed up, but also summertime when everyone is looking to get their beach bod back in shape. Waiting til the end of the month may also benefit you as health clubs are often looking to hit quotas or registration goals.
Stream Free Workouts Online
Forget driving to the gym and throwing elbows just to get to use your favorite machine. Workout from home with the convenience of free online workout tutorials, guides, and videos you can stream online with services like Youtube, Fitness Blender, and DoYogaWithMe. Even better? Ask a friend to join you for added motivation (and accountability). Fitness junkies dealing with injuries like bursitis of the knee or plantar fasciitis may find at-home workouts beneficial to healing without exacerbating an injury.
Download an App
Even when it comes to exercising, there’s an app for that. Whether it’s the high intensity interval training of 7 Minute Workout or the new personal trainer app that pushes you more and more, Aaptiv, taking your exercise with you wherever you go has never been easier. Wearable fitness like FitBit and Bellabeat are also trending as go-to exercise and health trackers that help you stay on top of your activity levels and diet.
See if You Qualify
All types of discounts and savings apply to various groups, ages, and abilities. See if you qualify for special memberships or programs that can save you a dime on staying fit. SilverSneakers, for example, offers free gym membership to adults over 65 at 13,000 participating locations across the U.S. It’s always worth asking if there is a military discount, or savings that come with being alumni of a specific college or university too.
Exercise While You Make Money
Spice up your same old 9 to 5 routine with spurts of fun fitness and healthy eating. Walk or bike to work, or simply take the stairs instead of the elevator. Get a pedal exerciser to sit under your desk so you can work out those feet and legs while you check your email. Or take a meeting out of the conference room and on the go doing laps around your office or building. Bonus idea: Check and see if your employer or health insurance company offers any reimbursement for preventative and proactive health actions like gym memberships.
8 Ways to Save Money and Stay Fit
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