Last Week we saw there are plenty of ways we can save money and get fit in 2023 only getting a little bit smart. This week will continue with the other 5 ways that will help you to get fit and save money in the process.
6. Online workouts
If you really want to save money and get fit in 2023, how about working out for free? Despite what gym adverts and fitness brands might lead us to believe, exercise doesn’t actually need to cost you anything.
There are countless workouts available on YouTube and best of all most of them are free. Sure, there are some subscription based channels that require payment, but if you’re happy to put up with a few adverts interspersed between sets (to be honest we’re glad of the rest!) there are plenty of free workouts out there to choose from.
And let’s not forget activities like walking, running, and dancing, all of which are free. If that isn’t motivation enough, then we don’t know what is!
7. Fitness Apps
As well as online workout videos there are also tonnes of great fitness apps available to download. These apps can be anything from workouts and diet plans, right through to trackers which allow you to map out runs and cycle routes in advance and that also then record your stats. This is great for tracking your progress and showing you how close you are to achieving your fitness goal.
At this time of year, Google Play and App Store include a kind of top picks for January round up on their store front, as they know these are popular searches during January when everyone’s trying to stick to their new year resolutions. This is great as it means you’ll have your pick of the best apps to help you achieve your own personal goals, so definitely keep an eye out for that when you next log on.
8. Get Outside
Yes, it might be cold, wet and possibly a bit snowy, but whack on some layers, waterproofs, and some grippy footwear and get yourself outside. There’s a whole world out there waiting to be explored and the best bit of all is, it’s free!
Exercising outdoors is proven to have many health benefits. From wild swimming and hill hiking to outdoor gyms and trail running, outdoor pursuits boost our endorphins, help to alleviate the symptoms of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), improves circulation, boosts our Vitamin D exposure, and lowers our blood pressure. Embrace the elements and allow your adventurous side to emerge to reap the benefits of everything that nature’s playground has to offer.
9. Find Out Your Work Perks
The pandemic shone a spotlight on how important it is to get our work life balance on an even keel. When we were forced to work from home, many of us were overjoyed at the prospect of working in our comfies, not having to do the daily commute, and being able to work more flexible hours. However, the downside to this was that we struggled to separate our work life from our home life. We found it harder to switch off from work, to not constantly check emails, and gradually we started taking less and less breaks throughout the day. Our mental wellbeing suffered as a consequence, and this is something that companies are trying to help out with now that most of us have returned to the office.
One of the ways in which companies are contributing to the wellbeing of their employees is by offering them certain work perks. These perks consist of things like health insurance, volunteering days, walk to work schemes and gym memberships. If you’re unsure what your company offers, speak to your HR department and ask them to clarify whether there are any work perks you’re currently unaware of.
Some companies may also have a deal with some of the large chain gyms, in which employees are offered discounted rates. And there may also be other health and wellness services available to you as an employee of that company. There’s absolutely no harm in asking, and if it turns out there aren’t currently any work perks, then there’s also no harm in asking for some.
10. Join An Independent Gym
If after reading all this, you still want to join a gym, consider joining a smaller independent one rather than one of the big brand gyms, as this could be a way to save money. Big gym chains often tie you into fixed contracts and their rates will be non-negotiable as they are set by head office and remain the same across the board. Independent gyms on the other hand are more likely to be open to a bit of fee negotiation and often keep their membership fees slightly lower in order to compete with the big gym companies. Plus, it’s always good to support small biz, right?
Conclusion
At a time when many of us are struggling to find money to heat our homes, the mere thought of spending money on fitness seems absolutely ludicrous. But what we have to remember is that our health, both physically and mentally, is important. So, if there are ways we can both save money and get fit in 2023 then it’s absolutely crucial we do so. Taking care of yourself now, will save money in the future, which is why it’s important we look for ways to stay active and healthy in our daily life.
We hope we’ve helped to inspire you and show you that there are indeed ways you can work out on a budget, or in some instances how you can exercise for free. Now, all that’s left to do is to actually get out there and do it. And that part’s up to you!
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