Fitness on a Budget
In the past few weeks there has been a chill in the air, a strong reminder that winter will be here before we know it. This does not mean to say you should give up on your summer bodies and hibernate for the winter. Keeping healthy and fit should be a priority all year round and it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg! Here are some tips on how you can ditch your gym membership and get fit on a budget.
Fitness Apps
Getting fit on a budget has become easier than ever with the huge amount of fitness apps that are appearing each year. Why spend thousands on gym memberships and personal training, when you can simply download fitness apps to your devices? One of the most popular free fitness apps is the Fitbit app! The Fitbit app wirelessly syncs with your Fitbit or smartphone to monitor your fitness. It allows you to set & track fitness goals and tracks your runs, walks and hikes using a GPS system. Your Fitbit app will track the steps, distance and calories burnt after each workout. Another great feature of this app is its food log that tracks how many calories you consume each day and manages your weight over time.
Another popular fitness app is Zova which is available on Apple TV. Following visual and vocal cues , Zova offers over 250 work outs including cardio sessions, 7 minute HIT sessions, strength and circuit training, as well as stretching. It allows you to select which body area you wish to train including lower body, upper body, core and full body training at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Zova will even suggest workouts based on factors like the time of day, weather and location! Download the free Zova app to receive daily workouts, or pay just US12.99 to access the full library.
The Great Outdoors
Forget about the dreaded treadmill, exercycle and cross trainer, simply step outside your door!
A great daily work out is to walk or bike to work. If possible, give yourself a little extra time in the morning to walk or bike to work and start your day feeling fresh and energised. Walking or biking to work will also save you a ton of money on petrol and public transport.
Do not waste your weekends on the couch, grab some friends and go for a run, walk or hike. In New Zealand we are lucky to have an abundance of beautiful hiking trails, beaches and scenic walks, making exercise a more enjoyable experience and a fun weekend activity!
Another great way to get your daily dose of cardio is skipping. Skipping will save you time as well as money, you can burn more than 200 calories in two 10-minute sessions each day!
Keeping Fit & Saving Money
Whilst you are trying to save money on fitness, you may not think about how fitness is saving you money as well. Keeping fit and healthy can save you money on medical expenses and allows you to take less sick days at work.
Keeping fit can also save you money on clothing. If your weight stops fluctuating you won’t need to keep spending money on clothes that fit. Maintaining a healthy weight means you can use the same clothes for a longer period of time.
Lastly, you will save money on food. Once you get into a healthy fitness routine, why waste all your hard work with convenience foods such as takeaways? You will be motivated to pre plan your meals and cook healthy meals at home throughout the week!