How To Get Fit For Free

What price should you put on your health? Some would say you can’t. But with high street gyms charging upwards of £70 a month for membership, personal trainers averaging £60 an hour and good quality sportswear costing hundreds of pounds, it can be a very costly business.

But do you really need to flash lots of cash to keep fit? Of course not. There are plenty of ways to get into shape that won’t leave you bankrupt. Let’s have a look at a few:

1. Urban gyms

In recent years, local councils have been trying to tackle our national couch potato problem by investing in obstacles and machines in public outdoor spaces that are free, and easy to use. The various machines target the lower body, upper body and core, not to mention cardiovascular and weight-based strength exercises. Some boast wooden obstacles including parallel bars, hurdles, leapfrog, step-ups, pull-up bars and benches. Others feature more recognisable gym machine equipment such as cross-training machines and weights for resistance work.

These gyms have now become a regular sight in parks and open spaces across the UK, and are often placed near children’s playgrounds. A good move, as it This encourages parents to use them while their kids play.

You can find your nearest urban gym here.

2. Cycling to work

If your commute allows it, cycling to work is a great option. Not only is it one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your day, but it can save you hours in traffic jams and precious pennies on petrol.

If you don’t have a bike, the Government-sponsored Cycle To Work tax break scheme will allow you to pay for a bike out of your pre-tax salary, saving you up to 42% on the cost of a new one.

3. Parkrun

Every Saturday, as many as 70,000 runners line up to take part in parkruns across the UK. The free 2km and 5km runs are non-competitive and open to all ages and abilities. There are even junior parkruns for

4-14-year-olds.

Each parkrun is organised by volunteers, who start the event, register your time and cheer you along, whether you finish in 15 or 50 minutes. It’s a great way to get fit while making new friends.

You can find your local meet at parkrun.org.uk.

4. Fitness apps

Believe it or not, your phone can help you get fit. There are loads of fitness apps out there that can help you get into shape, and stay there.

The best app for you depends on your goals, but our favourites include the Zombies Run! app, which costs £2.49 but encourages you to get running by simulating a zombie chase. Other good apps include MyFitnessPal, which tracks your calorie intake, and Fitocracy, which helps you fit workouts into your life, while remaining motivated.

5. Free community sports

There’s no denying that some sports can be costly and there’s plenty that require you join a team to take part. But this isn’t always the case for everything. Lots of councils offer free facilities, whether it’s a field for a kick about or tennis courts for a bit of ball hitting. So check out what’s available in your area via your local council website.

If you live near the seaside you can also see if there are any tidal swimming pools. These are almost always freezing, but free.

6. YouTube fitness

There are tons of free videos and tutorials online to teach you everything from tango to twerking. Or if dancing’s not your thing, try yoga, aerobics or Zumba without reaching for your purse.

Post-exercise treat

So there you go: six ways to get fit for free in 2017. And if it helps motivate you, why not book a relaxing massage at Castle Thai Spa as a treat for reaching your fitness goals? Call us to discuss options on 0131 629 0794.

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