In this economy it might be hard to afford a gym or have sessions with a personal trainer. Sometimes lack of a gym might be used as an excuse not to exercise. However, regardless of your financial situation, there is always a way to exercise.
I currently don’t belong to a gym. I attend a twice a week workout class at the local community college which averages to about $5 a class. Although I enjoy my class, two days a week is not enough for me to get in all the cardio I need. I have come up with two ways to exercise for free, using resources that you can find in your community.
1. Workout DVDs from Library
If you like to get your sweat on to a workout DVD, a great way is using your local library. Most public libraries have an exercise DVD selection. There are several pros to doing this. First of all, it is free! Libraries let you check out items at no cost. You just have to remember to return it on time so you don’t get pinged with a late fee. Another great aspect is you can try different DVDs to find which ones you enjoy the most. Another reason I enjoy checking out workout DVDs from the library is I can switch up my routine. For example, I might want to focus on doing a kickboxing DVD for two weeks. Then the next two weeks I might want to do a dance cardio workout. Research shows that changing up your workout routines can help build your endurance. Another benefit is it can help keep you from getting bored!
2. Tracks and Park Trails
Another community resource is finding local tracks and park trails. Many colleges and community centers have tracks that are open to the public when sport teams are not using them. There are several reasons why a track is a great way to get a workout. Tracks are a great place to do interval training. For example you could jog laps adding in half-lap sprints every few laps. Another great feature to a track is that most of them have bleachers, a great way to get your heart really pumping. Most cities have large parks with a paved trail, perfect for biking, running and walking. These can be great as they usually provide a parking lot, bathrooms, nice scenery, etc. I have two local park trails if I want to get in a long bike ride or run.
Next time you are in a workout slump, try these free local resources. Borrowing workout DVDs from the library can add variation and keep you from getting bored. Finding a few local tracks or park trails can also help keep your workout diversified.
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