Hitting Your Fitness Goals Without Breaking the Bank

How many times have you heard someone say, or perhaps you have even uttered the words, “I can’t afford to go to the gym” as a reason for their lack of fitness? No doubt, countless times and the reality is, even if you cannot afford a monthly membership, the gym is not the be-all and end-all when it comes to looking after yourself.

Eating a balanced diet is always key to maintaining your health, although so many foolishly believe that exercise simply is not possible outside of the gym setting. A dedicated gym can offer a wide range of commercial machines and equipment to keep you busy for the entirety of your session, allowing you to focus on different areas of the body. However, educating yourself on how you can not only replicate results you might expect from hitting the gym multiple times a week but exceeding them, can prove to be a real game-changer.

Full Body Workouts Without Equipment

You can workout any area of the body without the need for expensive machines or equipment, it is just a case of knowing how. By performing exercises that utilise the weight of your own body, you can expect to burn fat and build muscle when done correctly.

Some of the best exercises you can perform include squats, push-ups, lunges, planks, jumping jacks, burpees, leg raises, mountain climbers, sit-ups and crunches. These exercises alone will work pretty much the entirety of your body as part of a routine, helping you to achieve the body that you want. The best part is that you can bust out a high-quality workout in 20 to 30 minutes in your own living room, meaning that there is time for exercise in even the most hectic of schedules.

Cardio – In and Outside

If your goal is to burn fat, then your routine is going to consist of a lot of cardio. Running, of course, is a free form of exercise that you can perform at your own leisure. Many find the act of running to be relaxing, helping to relieve stress, and it forms part of their daily/weekly routine. Others, however, struggle to commit to running preferring other forms of cardio such as cycling.

Another reason many do not maintain running is because of the weather – such as it is far too cold to want to go outside and run a few miles. If this sounds like you, then investing in a cheap second-hand exercise bike that you can store in the home will be perfect. Whilst watching your favourite shows on the television you can work up a sweat on the bike.

Add regular sessions on the bike to your full body workouts and you will soon start to notice a huge difference in your fitness levels and physique. 

Cut Out Takeaways

Takeaway food is both incredibly unhealthy and expensive, making it as much of an interference on your bank balance as it is on your waistline. Of course, we like to indulge ourselves every now and then, but make sure that it is not every day or even every other day. We recommend keeping takeaway orders to a minimum and if you do find yourself craving a naughty treat, make it yourself at home.

When you make your own version of a takeaway – often referred to as a ‘fakeaway’ – it is likely to be much cheaper and much healthier. Even homecooked pizza is likely to have far fewer calories than a greasy takeaway alternative.

By making smart decisions and small changes, you can easily hit your fitness goals without breaking the bank…perhaps even saving some money in the process!