Getting fit doesn’t have to be expensive. Although there might be some initial costs, these can often save money in the long term, either directly by being durable, or indirectly by reducing the amount of time off work you have for being sick.
Here are some suggestions for getting fit on a budget:
Choosing the Right Footwear
When choosing a sport, it’s important to make sure your feet are comfortable. Poor footwear can lead to problems such as nerve damage and will limit movement.
If choosing volleyball, for example, you can learn what to look for in volleyball shoes by reading Ace Volleyball’s recommendations and reviews for some of the most durable and popular shoes. Some of these are popular with professional volleyball players, so if you’re unsure of which pair to buy, the reviews will help you decide.
If you’re a beginner, you’ll want to be comfortable. Otherwise, you will struggle to motivate yourself if you start to associate sports with discomfort and pain.
Using Smartphone Apps
Many smartphone fitness apps are free, although some have the option of in-app purchases. These will usually be relatively low compared to the cost of high-end fitness watches and trackers. For a sport such as volleyball, these apps can track your steps. If you’re doing other activities such as walking or running, they can also be used to keep track of your progress. By letting you set distance and speed goals, then keep track of when you reach them.
Get Outside
If you have little or no spare money, you can still improve your fitness by going outside. Walking costs nothing, and many people have woodland areas, canals, or similar places they can walk to or near. Not everyone realises how close these places are to where they live. You could be surprised what is near you.
Create a Home Gym
If you can’t afford a gym membership, then purchasing gym equipment for your home might seem too expensive as well. Yet, if you think about the price of a gym membership, the cost of travel and gym clothes if you want to feel like you fit in, it all adds up. Compare this to buying one or two pieces of exercise equipment, not having to travel and being able to wear what you want to. You will save money in the long term.
If you feel self-conscious exercising in public, this also lets you get a start and build up your fitness and confidence. As you feel more confident, you might consider a gym membership if you can afford it, joining a sports team, or taking up running in your local area. We all have to start somewhere, and any small steps you take to improve your fitness are better than not doing anything at all.
No matter your budget, money shouldn’t be a barrier to fitness. There are always options, and even if you have to spend money at first, you will often get a lot of use from your purchases, if you continue to work towards your goal. This outlay can also be a powerful motivation to keep going.
