Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
Turn on your TV right now and you’ll be hit with ads for gyms, diet programs, and fitness informercials galore. Marketers know we’re chomping at the bit to get back in shape during the month of January. Maybe it’s the fresh start of a new year, maybe it’s a resolution, or maybe a mere reaction to too many cookies during the holiday season. Whatever your reason, getting in shape doesn’t require getting a second mortgage. There are plenty of fabulously frugal ways to focus on your health this January. Check out these 5 Frugal Fitness Ideas.
Gym Alternatives
While it may be nice, the fancy gym down the street doesn’t fit into everyone’s budget. If you’re already locked into a contract or commitment, visit your gym’s member service area to see if you can renegotiate your rate. Or if your gym is part of a franchise or chain, call the 1-800 number on your membership card to see if you can get a lower rate. If you’re not a gym member, consider your local community center or Y instead. You may even qualify for a sliding scale of fees determined by your income. Many local churches have first class facilities at a fraction of the price, too.
FitnessBlender.com
My favorite frugal fitness resource is the website www.fitnessblender.com. Chock full of workouts from every length, intensity, and variety, this website is completely free. The husband wife team releases new videos on a regular basis. Best of all, they’re encouraging without being annoying. You can search based on how much time you have, what types of equipment you have at home (some don’t require any equipment at all), and your level of fitness.
Used Equipment
One woman’s treadmill is another woman’s laundry rack. It’s a law of the universe. For every fella looking to sell a weight bench, there’s another guy hoping to purchase one. Hit your social media channels to see if anyone you know is looking to sell a piece of equipment. Check Facebook Garage Sale Groups, too (Johnson County Garage Sale might be a good group to join). You can search Craigslist for great deals, too. When the warmer weather hits, you’ll want to check out physical yard sales, too. Especially if you’re looking to invest in a fitness DVD or series of DVDs, it’s a good idea to take to social media and see if you can borrow them from a first before purchasing them. You may discover you love (or hate) the series and that could influence your purchase).
SparkPeople.com
Looking for healthy meal ideas and a way to track your activity and nutrition? SparkPeople might be a good free option for you. With mobile apps and the ability to sync with your FitBit or other activity tracker. Plus, you’ll find a community of other people working toward healthy living goals this year, too.
Buy Decent Shoes
Everyone’s ears always perk up when I tell them to actually spend money. Buying decent shoes is one of the areas I always recommend you invest your dollars well. Now I’m not giving you the excuse to pay retail and ignore the price tag. But spending $35-50 on athletic shoes with great support and structure will save you money in the long run. Cheapy shoes can lead to injury and force you to spend more dollars at the doctor and in recovery products or therapies. So find quality shoes that work for you and then get the best deal possible.
Last but certainly not least, did you know that you can make money or earn rewards from using your Fitbit and meeting your goals? Check out this awesome post from Krazy Coupon Lady with 6 Easy Ways to Use Your Fitbit to Earn Cash and Prizes.
No matter what the ads try to convince you, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to pursue a healthy lifestyle. In the end, a good pair of shoes and a sidewalk can help you reach toward moving more and eating less. Healthier living also has a great impact on your bottom line. You’ll reduce your needs for medical care and pharmaceuticals while increasing your productivity at work. What are you waiting for? Check out these frugal fitness resources today.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
