Fitness on a budget

We’re all familiar with the benefits of getting lots of exercise — and the obstacles too. With gym fees, personal trainers and expensive gear, it’s easy to see money as a barrier to better health.

However, a tight budget doesn’t have to stand in the way of your fitness goals. Here are some tips to keep you and your bank balance healthy.

Explore

There’s no arguing the benefits of cycling and walking, but sometimes we need a change of scene from our neighbourhoods. Visit your local tourism bureau, parks and recreation department and Chamber of Commerce (in person or online) for maps and guides. These resources can highlight places to get some outdoor exercise — like local parks, hiking and cycling trails, gardens, heritage neighbourhoods and historic cemeteries. Tourist information bureaus also offer self-guided walking tours where you can see local sites and set your own pace.

You can pick up a free (or inexpensive copy) at the organization’s office, or download it directly from their website.

Check your local events calendar

Many people aren’t aware of the resources in their own area. Check out your local events calendar and recreation guide for:

– Hiking clubs and walking or running groups.

– Open houses at gyms, studios and recreation centres. You’ll have the opportunity to try out the facilities and lessons for free. Many dance and exercise studios offer free demonstrations too.

– Free or inexpensive skating and swimming times at recreation centres and drop-in sports. Some community centres and arenas offer free use of their walking tracks during certain hours, or you can join a mall walking group.

– Charity events such as sponsored walks or runs. Keep motivated by training for the event, and raise money for a good cause too.

Share and share alike

Don’t have it and don’t want to pay for it? Try borrowing or renting it instead. It can be cheaper to rent equipment you don’t use often — like skates, snowshoes and skis. Or, rent fitness videos from your local movie store, and check out the selection at your library.

And here’s another reason to have a fitness buddy: split the cost of equipment and share it, and swap videos and games. If you’d like to enlist the help of a personal trainer, see if he or she offers semi-private services and take along a friend (or two).

Sweat with the small stuff

It’s possible to furnish a home gym even if you don’t have much room in your budget or your home. Resistance bands, free weights (or dumb bells), a jump rope, an exercise ball and exercise videos are all effective and inexpensive parts of a balanced workout.

If you’ve got a modest budget, one of the latest fitness trends for all ages is fit video games. Thanks to their popularity, the offerings are quite diverse and include popular sports, dancing and yoga. (See Is exergaming right for you? for more details.)

Buy used

Ask at work

If you’re joining a gym or taking a class, don’t assume you’ll have to foot the entire bill. Check with your employer to see if your benefits package offers any discounts or reimbursements.

Better yet, your office building may have its own gym equipment, or you might find like-minded co-workers who are interested in forming a sports team or walking group.

Prepare your own refreshments

Unless you’re a professional athlete, you don’t need pricey (and sugary) vitamin waters, energy drinks or sports beverages. Water — preferably in a reusable bottle — will keep the costs and the calories down.

You can also save money by packing your own snacks rather than relying on pre-made mixes and protein bars. Make your own trail mix, or look online for recipes to make your own cereal or granola bars. Avoid pre-portioned snack packs and use a measuring cup and reusable container to make your own.

Enjoy some playtime

Let the youngsters in your life — whether they run on two feet or four — be your motivation. Children and pets need exercise too, so take them for a walk, an outing to the park or simply enjoy some playtime in the back yard. Throw a ball or a Frisbee, or ask the children to teach you a game they learned at school.