Exercising on a budget, help

pinnipeds

Hi,

Does anyone have some useful tips when it comes to exercising on a budget? Preferably without spending any money?

It is very expesive to go to the gyms nowadays, and instead of using the spare money that can be used for something more important. How can I make most of my exercise at home and still get what a gym would give me?

thanks

SailorSam

The cheapest exercise will prbably always be walking.
To exercise in the house have you thought about getting a Wii or some exercise videos, probably you'll find free ones on YouTube.

trolleyrun

There are lots of videos on YouTube and also free podcast videos to download if you have an iTunes account. You can use tins of food or water bottles as weights. Walking and running outdoors is free. If you have stairs in your house you can run up and down those, or do step-excercises with two of the steps. Are you in general good health? Any joint problems etc will need care with certain excercises.

If you like dancing, draw the curtains, put on some funky music and dance to your heart's content. You can hold tins while you do it and add knee bends (crouching), lunges and bicep curls if you wish. Think of it as creating your own aerobics video

Melonade

Step ups onto a chair or bench, stair lunges, step up with a raised knee on the stairs, tricep dips on a chair, push ups, squats, lunges, sit ups... Any body weight exercises.

I haven't got much money so have had to be quite inventive, although I now have 20kg set of dumbbells (£30 from Argos) so I can add extra weight to most exercises.

Fitness DVDs, YouTube videos? Not sure if your local council is like ours but we can get a card if we are on benefits or are disabled or elderly and it gets us into some places like the cinema, swimming baths etc a bit cheaper. I'm not entitled to that though so not exactly sure about the savings.

tillyenna

Sparkpeople is a dieting website, but it has some great (FREE) exercise videos, for all abilities, I love them. I think you can get hold of the videos on youtube (just search for sparkpeople), or you might have to sign up to the website, which is also free - one of the reasons they're really good is lots of bought exercise DVDs require you to have some form of equipment, whereas the spark people ones don't, and can be done in a small space (I used to manage them in my dorm at uni!)

SailorSam

Thanks Tilly, i'm probably perfect weight but have signed-up for Sparkpeople 'cos seems a useful site with nice menus

NigeWick

pinnipeds wrote: »

Does anyone have some useful tips when it comes to exercising on a budget? Preferably without spending any money?

Calisthenics. Burpees, Press ups, squats, plank/sit ups, dips between chairs or similar, pull ups (under a table), back bridge and sprinting for high intensity stuff and walking for low intensity. None of this requires any cash outlay.

As mentioned, search Youtube to get best practice and more ideas.

trailingspouse

Walking, of course - but make sure you really step out, arms swinging, shoulders back, working up a sweat.

Other ideas - never walk up the stairs. Always run.

Do the housework with vigour. If you're going to be doing it anyway, you might as well make it count. Ditto gardening.

Do you have kids/grandkids? Get out and kick a ball about with them - or whatever they're in to.

If you've been to yoga/pilates etc in the past, just lie on the carpet and do the exercises you remember. You don't need a mat or a video or anything fancy. Just get down there and get on with it.

Talukdar

If you just want to keep yourself fit than no need to spend money for it. Everyday in morning 20 minutes running and 1 hour walking is enough. But if you want to get six packs then it could cost money.

NigeWick

Talukdar wrote: »

Everyday in morning 20 minutes running and 1 hour walking is enough. But if you want to get six packs then it could cost money.

I disagree. My thrice weekly workout takes less than 15 minutes a time. Walking need be no more than half an hour five times a week. And, a six pack will come with less body fat and not so much via exercise, although Plank and sit ups/crunches will not do any harm.

What does do harm is sitting at a desk all day. I make sure I get up every 20 minutes or so and move about a bit.

Cycrow

What is it you want the exercise for ?
are you looking to loss weight, tone up, build strength, just to stay healthy?

As this will depend on what the best exercise to do.

Running is a good cheap form of exercise that can help with your fitness as well as weight loss.
If you have an old bike, then cycling might be an option too.

If you want to built up strength/muscle, then there are plenty of exercise routines you can do at home for free.