How to Stay Fit On a Budget

Steps Towards a Healthy Body While Saving Money

by Derek Campbell

Most Americans spend more time and money on retirement planning and investments than they do on fitness.  Yet experts agree that people who invest minutes per day on fitness will live longer, healthier and more active lives.  Fitness is the most important investment you will ever make.

The good news is that fitness doesn’t require a big monetary investment to get started.  It simply takes time and dedication.  30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week will significantly raise your fitness level, while at the same time reduce your chances for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and stroke.  Ideally every fitness program should include both aerobic activity and strength and flexibility training.

Getting Started

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, you should start with increasing your aerobic activity.  If you haven’t exercised in a long while, start out with 10-minute walks and work up to 30 minutes or more over time.  Make your walks interesting and pleasurable.  Invite a friend, listen to music, or visit different parks or walking paths in your area.

Don’t like to walk? Why not get on your bicycle for 10 to 30 minutes a day?  Or, crank up the music and just dance for 10 to 30 minutes a day.  The point is to get moving.

Adding Strength and Flexibility Training

Once you have a developed a routine for increasing your aerobic activity, it is time to start strength and flexibility training. While you can spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars on exercise equipment, you can achieve nearly the same results with items you have around the house.

• Hand weights:  Fill empty milk cartons or water bottles with either water or sand and seal with duct tape so you don’t have to have clean up any messes.
• Resistance bands:  Use bath towels or belt.

For about $20 each you can get a set of hand weights ( 3 lb., 5lb., and 7 lbs), a fitness ball to strengthen your core, and resistance bands.

Add Variety.

Nothing kills a fitness program faster than boredom. Achieving variety doesn’t need to be expensive.  Here are a few ways to change up your exercise routine:

• Check out exercise DVDs from your local library.  The price is right—and you can only keep them for a month.
• Contact your local parks and recreation department.  They often offer low-cost classes in dance, yoga, karate, kayaking, hiking, etc.  Not only will you change up your routine, but taking classes with other people adds the social aspect that keeps you motivated.
• Join social couponing sites like Groupon and Living Social.  They have great deals on classes in your area at a substantial savings.
• Get your game face on. Gaming systems like PlayStation, Wii, and the XBOX 360’s Kinect all have great aerobic games that get you moving and they’re fun.  Yes, it does count as cardio.

Fitness is the most important investment you’ll ever make.  If you invest 150 minutes of the 10,080 minutes available each week, you’ll be well on your way to a lifetime of fitness and health.