6 Ways To Exercise on a Budget

If you don't have the time or money to get a gym membership or take workout classes, there are still ways you can exercise and practice fitness for free or at lower costs. Here are six ways to exercise on a budget.

1. Household Items and Body Weight

Workouts are more versatile than you might expect. Plenty of muscle groups can be worked using only your body weight. For example, most glute activation exercises and core strengthening exercises don't require any special equipment to be beneficial. If you do want to enhance your workout but don't feel comfortable spending money on special workout tools, you can improvise with household objects. Use books or cans in place of free weights and chairs or walls to stabilize yourself. You can also climb up and down stairs for cardio.

2. Free Cardio Options

Aerobic exercise may be one of the easiest types of exercise to do for free since you don't really need anything besides your body and some supportive shoes to get your heart rate up. In good weather, you can go for a walk, jog or run. If the weather is poor, walk or jog up and down the stairs in your house or apartment building, or go to a public indoor place like a mall and walk through the area at a brisk pace.

3. Inexpensive Tools

If you do have the budget and desire to purchase some workout tools, there's no need to go straight to the expensive machines. Tools such as jump ropes, free weights and yoga mats are relatively budget-friendly and you can also choose to purchase or subscribe to online or app-based exercise programs. Referring back to the glute activation exercise example, exercises such as clams, glute bridges and donkey kicks can all benefit your gluteal muscles without extra equipment and can be enhanced with inexpensive tools such as resistance bands.

4. Online Workout Videos

You can find many workout videos uploaded on online video platforms for free. Even instructors and influencers who put some of their content behind paywalls will provide some videos and routines for free. Online workout video options can range from short segments demonstrating one type of movement to full routines clocking in at forty-five minutes or longer. You should also be able to find at least one video pertaining to your workout interests, whether that be kickboxing or yoga. These workouts tend to be designed for use at home, so they either require no equipment or can be done without household objects.

5. Deals and Discounts

If you're more experienced or are otherwise interested in more advanced equipment, you may still be able to fit something into your budget. Shop smart. Keep an eye out locally or online for people selling used exercise equipment, but do your research and buy good quality used equipment. If you really want to join a gym or take classes, pay attention to whether your local parks department or community center is offering deals or discounts on memberships or classes. You can even share costs with roommates or family members if you live together or near each other.

6. Mundane Exercise

Realistically, you may not have time to set aside every day for exercise, but there are still ways you can be active without a dedicated exercise regimen. If you have children or pets, play actively with them. Kick a soccer ball with your kids or play frisbee with your dog. If you work long days, try to take the stairs instead of the elevator and take breaks throughout the day to stretch. You can even make housework into exercise. Activities like mowing the lawn are just as strenuous as exercise. Even vacuuming and vigorously scrubbing the floors can get your heart rate elevated. You can also take the opportunity to get some stretching in while dusting hard-to-reach places.

Exercising doesn't require fancy equipment or instructors. Sometimes all you need to get a good quality workout is your body and maybe some simple cost-effective tools.