Cheap Alternative to the Gym: Use Your Own Body Weight

Exercise is critical to looking and feeling good, but the high cost of getting in shape is often a barrier for those on a tight budget. In fact, a 2018 Dare to Be Free survey from Freeletics, a fitness app, found that 28 percent of participants said they would exercise more if they could find cheaper alternatives to the gym.

Here’s the good news: You can exercise for FREE by spending time researching options. “You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on expensive gym equipment or trainers,” says Jenny Schatzle, certified personal trainer and founder of Bond Fitness. “There are ways to get in shape all around us.”

Here’s one that only requires one thing: you.  High-end exercise equipment, such as treadmills and stationary bikes, aren’t necessary to reach your fitness goals. Your body weight provides enough resistance to help tone muscles and trim fat. Lunges and squats are perfect moves to target legs, while pushups build muscle in your chest and back. Tricep dips tone arms and planks are great for targeting abs. The best part: You can do these moves anywhere, whether at home, at your hotel while traveling or on your lunch break at work.

And just in terms of health, wellness and personal safety, everyone should be able to support their own body weight.  If you can’t, you should start working on it, pronto.

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Photo Credit:  Flamingo Images / Shutterstock.com