You don't necessarily need a gym membership to get a good workout. Here are five ways you can exercise without having to join a gym that will cost you little or no money.
1. Running
Running is one of the top calorie- and fat-burning activities and burns more calories per minute than any other form of exercise. You can run just about anywhere, most parks have running and jogging trails. Running alongside the street is another option, but be careful of traffic. It's best to run first thing in the morning, before you go to work. You'll be at your best energy level and a morning run can also help keep your energy up throughout the day.
2. Walking
Walking is a little less intense than running, but it burns calories and you also get good cardiovascular benefits from it. Consider joining a walking club if you want to have people to work out with and help you stay motivated. If possible, go for a walk during your lunch break and take even longer walks on the weekends. Increase your pace to add more intensity to your workout, you can also run up and down a set of steps to accelerate your heart rate. Try to keep your heart rate up for at least 20 minutes during your walk to really burn off some calories.
3. Community Recreation Centers
Community recreation centers usually have cheaper monthly membership fees than gyms and some even offer free memberships to local residents. Recreation centers have workout equipment, indoor pools, basketball courts, and running trails. For additional fees, there are even classes you can take like aerobics, yoga and zumba.
4. Public Courts
When the weather is nice outdoors, take advantage of it by playing tennis or basketball on the weekends. Many parks have public basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts that are open to the public, 24 hours, 7 days a week. You can play on the courts for free; you just have to bring your own tennis balls and racket or basketball. Playing sports at a local park is a fun way to exercise with friends and family.
5. Exercise Videos
You can buy exercise videos online or at discount stores and they come in every category including step aerobics, zumba, Pilates and yoga. You can also stream workout videos online through websites like Netflix, YouTube is also a good source for exercise videos. There are also videos like Taebo Cardio Bootcamp, which is a mix of aerobics and calisthenics. With videos, you can exercise in the privacy of your own home in your own free time. You may want to ask a friend or family member to join you to stay motivated and to get the most out of your workout. Get extra energy for the whole day by working out early in the morning, along with the satisfaction that you've already done your exercise for the day.
