After a gluttonous holiday, filled with too many cookies and (absolutely delicious) ham, the new year always triggers the need to be more
active, eat healthier and feel better. But how to get the most from your fitness
regime without breaking the bank? Consider these ideas to stay in shape on the
cheap:
1. Stay Home
If dragging yourself to the gym a few times a week is enough to send you into a couch-ridden funk, skip the membership and work out at home. Just the idea of stepping ing a gym fills me with anxiety and I've found great workout DVDs that work great for me. Rotate several DVDs to keep yourself motivated and to avoid muscle complacency. Since workout videos range anywhere from $8 to $30, download the
Coupon Sherpa mobile app for in-store savings at Target, Sports Authority and more. Cable users or Netflix subscribers can also stream workout videos as part of their monthly subscription, I've found great instructors on OnDemand.
2. Take Advantage
Gym rats abhor the beginning of the year when well-intentioned newbies crowd their classes and struggle with the equipment. Despite the initial claustrophobia, however, the gym floor inevitably clears within a couple months as fitness goals wane. As a committed newcomer, you should take advantage of New Year's gym deals, like reduced monthly payments and waived activation fees. Chat with salespeople at several gyms and be sure to ask for a free pass to experience the facility and classes before committing.
3. Go Online
Paying for personal training gets pricey,
though good instructors are worth their, um, weight in gold for people with big
fitness goals. If you're looking for basic guidance, get it for free from
websites like
Fitbie or
Exercise TV on Hulu, or subscribe to a
health magazine. After all, you can't beat $15 a year for weight-loss advice and
at-home program recommendations.
4. Make it Public
I think it was Thomas Jefferson who
said something about behaving as if everyone is watching. Apply this lesson to
your fitness regimen and share your goals via Facebook or Twitter, letting your
friends keep track of your status and offer support during the inevitable lulls. I follow someone on Facebook that shares how many steps they've taken with Digifit.
Better yet, create a Facebook group of like-minded friends to swap tips, recipes
and encouragement.
5. Buddy Up on PT
If reading articles about getting in
shape don't do it for you, consider going halfsies on the cost of personal
training. According to
SmartMoney,
the majority of personal trainers offer discounts for group sessions even if
they represent a gym that doesn't promote this fact. As with anything, it never
hurts to ask and you may be more encouraged to attend sessions with a
friend.
6. Daily Deal It
Groupon and other daily-deal sites are
good for more than deeply discounted laser treatments. Health clubs compete for
new business at the beginning of the year so you should have a plethora of
options. Look for daily deals on discount or limited-time memberships, and feel
free to play the field of gyms in your area. Doing so may give you free access
to consistent workouts for a few months.
7. Buy Used
Fitness equipment can get expensive but it
shouldn't be the reason you avoid exercise. Hit up discount retailers for basic
fitness accessories like dumbbells, yoga mats and medicine balls for a fraction
of fitness-store prices. My husband and I put the word out that we were looking into fitness equipment and received a great deal on a used treadmill from a friend. Thrift stores are another good outlet for discount
essentials, and you can always scan Craiglist for bigger equipment. Be sure to
research equipment and thoroughly test and inspect used items before
purchase.
8. Mobile Motivation
The best motivator for exercise is
knowing how many calories you burn while pumping iron, as well as how many you
avoid by eating right. Luckily, there's an app (or several) to track your
progress on both counts. Consult
this
list of recommended fitness apps from Huffington Post or find your own fave
in the iPhone and Android markets.
Good luck with your goals! Let me know how you do!
*
Some information was provided by, and s
hared with permission, Kendal Perez. Kendall is a frugal fashionista and bargain shopper who helps fellow
shopaholics find hassle-free ways to save money. She can be contacted by email
kendal@hasslefreesavings.com.
