As a frugal person, I don't like the thought of paying for a gym membership. And you certainly don't have to. With only a little money, You can buy pretty nice workout stuff, Or Just go with your body. You can do a lot to lose weight that way. Here are some tips to help you avoid the expense of a gym.
Youtube
I made a recent discovery; I've wanted to lose some weight, and I started in Early December. Sadly With the snow coating the ground, Jump roping and Running can't be done outside.
I'm lucky enough to have an elliptical and treadmill in my house, But that gets boring real quick. I also am tired of the Jillian Michaels video that I've done so many times!
Try youtube! PopSugar Fitness Lets you "sample" workouts by a bunch of different trainers! You can try a bunch of new stuff. Or Find a trainer you like and buy their videos. I'm so grateful they are offering this Because I felt so stuck in the winter not knowing how to manage my weight.
Running
For those of you without snow, Or during the warmer months. You can go running. There are tons of running trails and parks. I run up and down a crosswalk which has helped give my legs a nice shape from the incline. Use the stuff around you as a gym. If you don't like running, Try it with some music. That seems to make it more fun! For those of you who are like me, Who end up running on concrete. Make sure to get some good shoes that will help cushion your knees. I have some knee pain from the constant concrete running!
If you can, Look for something more soft, Like grass, Or woodchips. If you don't like running Or aren't in shape for that, A brisk walk will do well!
There is a nice selection of running shoes on Amazon!
Jump roping
Like I mentioned earlier! Jump ropes are WAYYYY cheap! You can get a nice one on Amazon for under 10.00; Most people burn up to 800 calories per hour while jump roping. So even if you only do 10 minutes, you can rack up the calorie burn fast! So go out and try it! You'll love the results.
Heres a nice one for 7.99
Kettle Ball, Hand weights, Resistant bands
I like these workout things because they are small And easily stored in a small area of my closet. Of course, you can go all out and buy a weight set, But until you know for sure that you'll stick with what you are doing, You should start small, And build your way up.
It makes strength tougher, But funnier.
I have this kettleball
Make sure you get a lighter one to start out with, You don't' want to hurt yourself. Sure, 20 pounds may sound light. But when you are doing exercises with it, It can destroy you.
Hand weights are similar to Kettlebells, But you usually get 2. More people are familiar with these, And as far as balancing. They are sometimes easier.
Conclusion
You don't have to go to a gym to lose weight or get fit. In January many places will probably advertise one-year memberships, But as I covered in my last post. Many people end up staying on track for only a couple weeks. So be sure to avoid them if you may end up giving up on your weight loss goals. Opt for a one-month gym membership if necessary to see if you are fully committed.