Now that the weather is nice, you can take advantage of a lot of opportunities to get fit the frugal way.
I like to follow the Fitness Blog here at Families.com. It is great to get some knowledge, tips and the inspiration to keep fit. Of course, it is also great to be frugal. Sometimes being fit seems to be very expensive. Commercial gyms and even the YMCA can cost quite a bit to join. And of course there is all of that expensive equipment you can buy.
Here are some great ways to get some summer exercise the frugal way.
Take advantage of your neighborhood
I bet your local area is packed full of opportunities to exercise. Walking is always free (unless of course you use a track at the gym). Parks, the beach, walking trails and hiking trails are obvious choices. To take full advantage of them, use whatever is around the landscape to get a better workout. Stretch on park benches, hop over low dividers, climb low rocks.
There are some less obvious choices for exercise in the summer, too. Many local schools will open their gym doors to the community during the summer for free. At the very least, the outdoor tracks and grounds are usually available at no charge. Be sure to check with the school or the town for information.
Make your own equipment
Fill clean bleach containers with sand or rocks from outside to use as weights for working out. Any container with handles will do. Or use a sturdy stick to stretch your arms. Build a walking or running obstacle course with things from nature in your backyard. (Yes, you can use all of the plastic houses, toddler bikes, pretend lawnmowers, inflatable balls, etc.).
Take advantage of the kids being home
Kids are a perfect opportunity to get in some frugal exercise. Go outside and play with them. Kick a ball around, or just play tag. Use the kids as an excuse to practice your sprinting or to dust off your old roller-blades. Kids are usually always up for some outdoor playtime and will be happy to help you invent new ways of exercising in the summer.
Even little ones can provide some frugal exercise. Instead of walking your infant or toddler around in a stroller, strap on a sling or carrier for an extra workout. Or lay on your back on the lawn and play “airplane” with the baby. Your arms will get a work out and the baby will love it. Just make sure to stop and rest before your arms get too fatigued.
What are some of your favorite ways to get in your frugal summer exercise?
Mary Ann Romans also writes for the Computing Blog here at Families.com where she shares everything from the latest news on technology to cool downloads and fun websites.
Related Articles: