How To Get Fit For Free
Getting fit doesn't have to cost the earth and not being able to afford a gym membership shouldn't be an excuse for inactivity. We give our top tips for getting fit for free.
Join a local running club
Some running clubs have a joining fee and annual dues, however you may well find that there are running clubs in your local area that are completely free of charge. These will be more casual and relaxed groups, however this is ideal if you are starting exercising as a complete beginner or do not want to feel intimidated by serious, competitive runners.
There are a lot of benefits of joining a running club such as increased motivation, discovering new routes, and companionship. Running is something that anyone can do for free and you may well make some new friends and find a new passion.
Make use of outdoor space
Anyone can train outdoors for free and there are lots of benefits of outdoor training such as burning more calories than inside and reaping the benefits of breathing in fresh air rather than the conditioned air of a gym.
If you are unsure about training outdoors during winter, simply make sure you are dressed appropriately and you will find that winter training becomes much more bearable. Layer up in running leggings to protect your legs and wrap up in a sport hoodie or waterproof jacket to keep you dry in changeable weather.
Ditch the car
An easy way to add exercise into your daily routine is to ditch the car and travel under your own steam. This could be in the form of walking/cycling to work or the local shops. Not only is this free, it will even help you to save money on fuel costs.
This is a great way to get more active without having to make too much of an effort and once it is a part of your daily routine, you'll notice how much fitter you're getting without even trying.
Attend Parkrun
Parkrun is one of the most popular free sporting events in the country and for good reason. It's a way to practise racing for free and in a relaxed and friendly environment. Some councils tried to start charging for Parkrun but were quickly shot down as it is such a great way to get people into fitness and helps them meet new friends in their local area.
Parkrun is a weekly 5k race done in local parks all across the country on a Saturday morning and is free for anyone to sign up. You receive a personal barcode that times your run when scanned at the finish and you can see how you rank up against the other people in your town.
