Whether you’re a seasoned gym bunny looking to save a few pounds or you’re completely new to fitness and looking to get in shape without spending a fortune in the process, there are numerous ways that you can get yourself fit on a budget.
Here in the UK, the fitness industry is worth big bucks. According to data from Statista, there are over 7,000 health and fitness clubs in the UK with over 10 million combined members. These health and fitness clubs generate an annual turnover of almost £2 billion. It’s clear that the fitness industry is booming, but during these difficult times, you might be wondering how you can get fit whilst on a budget. With that in mind, we’ve got some great tips on getting fit without breaking the bank. Whether you’re looking to get fit for free or just save some pounds on your gym membership, we’ve got every kind of fitness and sports level covered.
With National Fitness Day taking place on Wednesday 21st September, now is the perfect time to try something new and take advantage of the physical and mental health benefits of sport and exercise.
Incorporate exercise into your day or give back to charity
According to the NHS, to stay fit and healthy we need to be exercising for 20 to 30 minutes a day or at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. If that seems a little daunting – fear not! There are numerous ways that you can incorporate physical activity into your everyday routine. Firstly, why not meet up with friends or family in your local park for a chat and a walk? Just 20-30 minutes of walking can work wonders for your mental wellbeing as well as your physical health. Simply walking the dog each day is a great way to keep fit, too. Other easy ways to incorporate exercise into your everyday is to walk where you can (for example get off the bus a few stops earlier, take the stairs, walk or cycle to work instead of driving.) This article from Everyday Health contains a wealth of handy tips on how to fit exercise into your day. If you have little ones, get them involved and have a dance party! Dancing is a great way to have fun and keep active. Also, did you know that cleaning is a great way of keeping fit? That’s right – cleaning your flat or house is a great way to burn calories and get your heart pumping. This article from Verywellfit will help you adjust your usual cleaning into a proper fitness routine!
If you’re looking to give back whilst getting fit, why not sign up to a charity fun run or fundraising sporting event? If you’re unsure about running, you could sign up to try one of the Alzheimer Society’s memory walks during September and October. It is free to sign up.
You could sign up to Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walk from £14.99. These are taking place around the UK this September and October.
For more information, you can look at participating charities holding events including marathons, fun runs and beginners, virtual challengers and more here.
Cheap gym memberships – pay as you go and affordable gyms
If you’d prefer to join a gym, there are numerous cheaper options now available all over the UK. Firstly, unless you are 100% sure that you’re going to use it, don’t commit to a long-term expensive gym contract. Secondly, try out the gym with free trial or gym pass offers. A friend might have a gym pass they could offer you – it’s always worth asking! Anytime Fitness is currently offering a free trial. You can also find the latest promo codes and deals for gyms and fitness clubs via our VoucherCodes fitness page here.
Another way to keep costs down is to join a gym on a no-contract basis. PureGym offers flexible, no-contract memberships. They are also open 24/7 with over 300 locations to choose from. You can cancel or freeze your membership at any time via the PureGym app or website. Day passes start from just £6.99 with monthly memberships available from around £11.99 a month. Please note that prices vary depending on location and joining fees also apply. Fun fitness classes are also included with memberships! You can find further information on joining your nearest PureGym here.
Free fitness apps, YouTube tutorials and social media
If you’d prefer to exercise from the comfort of your own home, why not download a free fitness app? Described as “like having your own Nike personal trainer in your pocket”. the Nike Training Club app has a library of over 200 free workouts to choose from. Whether you’re looking for relaxing yoga classes or fancy something a little more strenuous, the Nike app is guaranteed to have the perfect workout for you. Classes range from 5-50 minutes and whether you’re feeling energetic or exhausted – there’ll be something for you! You can also opt for gym workouts as well as at-home or outside ones. For more information, you can take a look here.
If you’d rather try a workout from YouTube, The Body Coach (also known as Joe Wicks) has a range of exciting and fun workouts for you to try on his YouTube channel.
If you’re new to fitness, you can try his ‘First Steps to Fitness’ series of workouts which are designed for anyone at the beginning of their fitness journey. These are also great to try if you haven’t worked out in a while or are returning from an injury.
If you’re looking to try something a little more relaxing such as yoga, another great option to try out on YouTube is yoga taught by Jessamyn Stanley. We love her 30-minute yoga sequence for total beginners. This is a great option if you’re completely new to yoga or even if you just wake up feeling a little stiff. You can explore Jessamyn’s yoga tutorials, guided meditations and more via her YouTube channel here.
To watch these tutorials without ads, you can sign up to YouTube Premium for £11.99 a month. Currently, there is a 1-month free trial available.
Finally, if you’re an avid social media user, use it to your advantage! Instagram is crammed with content from your favourite fitness influencers and brands. Women’s Health has a great list of fitness Instagram accounts you should follow to keep you motivated here.
NHS initiatives
If you’re looking to start running, have you heard about the NHS Couch to 5k? This is a popular running plan designed for absolute beginners. The plan involves 3 runs a week with a day of rest in between each run. There is also a different schedule for each of the 9 weeks. The Couch to 5k plan is designed for everyone and is a free (and easier) way of getting yourself fitter. All you need to get started is a pair of trainers and your mobile phone to listen to the podcasts. You can also download the free app which gives you a choice of coaches and enables you to track your progress.
If you’re more into walking, you can download the free NHS Active 10 app. This app anonymously records every minute of walking that you do. It also helps you to set goals and shows you your walking achievements. You’ll also be given handy tips on how to boost your activity.
The NHS has a wealth of information and advice on getting into fitness as well as a library of free workout videos including cardio and strengthening workouts. You can find these here.
Cheap gym equipment for at home
If you’re looking to work out from the comfort of home, you might need some equipment to help get you started. Whether you need some dumbbells, exercise resistance bands, a yoga mat, or some new sportswear, you don’t need to spend too much. The Range has fitness accessories and sportswear starting from just £2. You can also find cheap fitness accessories at places such as Amazon, Argos and Sports Direct. Decathlon also has a great range of cheap home gym equipment and fitness accessories starting from under £5.
Of course, if you’d rather not shell out for gym equipment and accessories, you don’t need to! All you really need to get started with exercise is a good pair of trainers. For cheap branded trainers for men, women, and kids (with up to 75% off the RRP!) try M and M Direct, here.
Also, this handy article from Cosmopolitan contains a list of household items that you can use instead of buying dumbbells.
If you’re completely new to fitness or aren’t sure where to start, it is worth talking to your GP for advice.
