Federated Health Charities’ mission is to improve the health and quality of life of all Ontarians by supporting 21 different health charities providing critical services to those experiencing, or affected by, illness. We believe education and prevention are key parts of supporting the health of our communities, so our weekly Health Hint series strives to provide tangible and easy to implement hints and tips on how to maintain your health, prevent disease, and enjoy increased quality of life. Check out our latest Health Hint on the different types of mental health practitioners. We hope you find it helpful. If you would like to join our efforts to support the health of Ontario, please consider a donation to Federated Health Charities.
Starting an exercise program can be daunting, for many reasons. Trying something new can be intimidating, pushing yourself can feel physically hard, and knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. Another unfortunate barrier to exercise is the idea that it must cost a lot of money. We often see high-end gyms, expensive private fitness studios, top-of the line workout clothing and gear, and we think it must cost a fortune to engage in a regular workout program, but that does not need to be the case. If high-end gyms and gear are within your budget and they work for you, go for it, but if they aren’t, don’t let that discourage you. There are plenty of ways to exercise regularly that cost little, to no, money and will yield great results. Remember, what matters with a workout routine is the consistency and effort you put in, not the amount of money you spent on it.
Ideas for Exercising on a Budget
Free daily workout programs on YouTube
Hiring a personal trainer is not the only way to participate in an effective, well-programmed fitness regime. There are many qualified and skilled trainers who put regular workouts on You Tube for free. An example of this is personal trainer Sydney Cummings, who posts daily workouts for you to follow along with that are all part of a thoughtful and effective routine.
Free workouts online
If following along with a guided video doesn’t work for you and you want something you can follow on your own then you can access the various free workouts that are posted online. Do a simple google search of free workouts and you will be amazed by what you find.
Walking
One of the most underrated forms of physical activity. Walking has, consistently, been shown to be highly effective for overall health and weight maintenance. It is just a bonus that it is completely free. You can walk alone and listen to a podcast, take your dog, grab a friend, or join a walking group. If one doesn’t exist, start one!
Create a home gym
A home gym doesn’t have to be a dedicated space with expensive workout machines. It can be a small space in your apartment with a yoga mat and some cheap supplies. If you can manage it, financially, Amazon has great options for affordable resistance bands and exercise balls. Or platforms like Facebook Marketplace are great for finding cheap, used exercise equipment such as kettle bells and dumbbells. If that isn’t in the budget, you can get in a perfectly good workout using just your bodyweight!
Download a free Couch-to-5k app
If you want to kick your walking regime up a notch and try your hand at running, you can do that for free as well! You can download the free Couch-to-5k app and follow along with the program.
Utilize free public exercise facilities
There are plenty of community resources available for your use. Depending on where you live there may be anything from outdoor gym set-ups, sports courts, swimming pools, and beaches. Make use of what is available to you to participate in enjoyable activity.
Be creative with outdoor spaces
Get creative! You don’t need to be in a gym to get a workout, workout in parks, use benches for moves like step ups and triceps dips, use public tracks for sprints, use the neighborhood stairs, etc.
Moving your body does not need to equal an empty bank account and finance should never be a barrier to getting active and healthy. Hopefully some of these tips inspire you to use what you’ve got to get moving!
We hope you enjoyed our latest Health Hint!
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