This article was written prior to 15 March 2021, before the launch of the new Financial Advice Regime, and was published for information purposes only. It is not being actively promoted by Dollar Insurance. Dollar Insurance does not provide financial advice about the suitability of their products and cannot take into account your personal situation or goals. Before you decide to take out a Dollar Insurance Policy, you should read the relevant Policy Wording document which contains the terms, conditions, and exclusions of the Policy, and seek independent financial advice, if required, to ensure the insurance policy is suitable for you.

Are you ready to get fit, but don’t have the cash for a monthly gym pass? We hear ya! Memberships can be expensive—even more so if they’re not being used. That’s just money down the drain, and probably hours spent watching Netflix instead.

But, there are cheaper ways to start getting fit without breaking the bank. You just need a bit of creativity, some helpful tips and a healthy dollop of motivation!

Here’s how to get fit when you’re on a budget:

Time to step it up

Walking is one of the easiest ways to jump start a fitness routine. It’s also one of the most popular—59% of Kiwis said they’d recently walked or exercise in the 2017 Active NZ report. Think about it—all you really need is a good pair of trainers. And since it’s low impact, just about anyone can start off slow as they build up their fitness.

The DIY gym

Fancy gym equipment is impressive, but you might not need it to get fit. Some good old-fashioned Kiwi creativity could help you get results. Think low cost options like hand weights, resistance bands and jump ropes. Have absolutely no money to spend on these? No problem! Exercises like pushups, planking, crunches and squats use your own body weight as resistance. And don’t forget stairs, furniture and playground equipment—these can help you ramp up your fitness routine, too.

Take advantage of the internet

YouTube has more than cat videos and makeup tutorials. There are also tonnes of exercise clips for everything from intense HIIT to relaxing yoga. Online videos can guide you through a daily workout and even offer a bit of encouragement. Plus, they’re way cheaper than hiring a personal trainer!

Get out in the community

Prefer to exercise out in nature? There are plenty of low- and no-cost options. Going swimming in a local pool or the ocean. Hit the trails for a bit of tramping. Dust off that old bike hanging in the garage. Even getting off the bus a stop or too early and walking the rest of the way can count as exercise and time in the fresh air.

Make your work out a game

Remember what Mary Poppins always says, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!” No, we’re not suggesting you eat lollies before training. But making exercise feel a bit less like work could help you stay motivated. If fitting exercise into your routine feels like a drag, think of ways to make it fun! Play some cricket with the kids, walk the dog around the park or toss a ball around after dinner. Suddenly, your work out is a game instead of a chore.

How do you stay fit?

These are just some ideas for getting exercise when you’re on a budget. But how do you do it? Share your tips wherever you get social—Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Sources:

Sport New Zealand, Active NZ participation survey 2017, December 2018

About the author: Dollar Insurance is all about making insurance as painless as possible, with easy to get funeral cover, for just $1 a day. 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal situation or goals. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs and seek independent financial advice, if required, to ensure an insurance product is suitable for you.

Any product information is correct at the time this article was published. For current product information, please visit the Dollar Insurance website.