How to Get Fit for Free

by JJ /

You don’t need a personal trainer or a gym membership to get fit.

You don’t need a new wardrobe from lulu lemon, a Fit Bit or a fancy fanny pack to carry your water bottles.

In fact, you don’t need to spend any money to get a hot bod. It is totally possible to get fit for free.

All you need is some motivation, willpower….and maybe a pair of running shoes!

Start young and make fitness a life long habit

I’ve always participated in sports and fitness. Being active is something my parents instilled in me from a young age.

This is not to say that I have always enjoyed working out.

When I was a teenager I found it especially difficult to motivate myself to exercise because I could cram anything I wanted in my mouth and never gain a pound.

Well, this doesn’t last forever so it’s important to start young so you can create a life long habit of staying fit.

Similar to the magic of compound interest in personal finance, if you start incorporating exercise into your normal routine when you’re young it will become a natural habit and will payoff big time in the long run.

That’s nice, but tell me…how can I get fit for free?

Here are some fun and fresh ideas that I use to get fit for free.

1. YouTube Videos (specifically Fitness Blender).

I’ve tried a ton of different workout videos online and I find most of them are really poor quality or have super annoying music/or people (sorry). In my humble opinion Fitness Blender is one of the best sites for the following reasons:

Clean and simple videos. It’s just the trainer and a non-distracting white background for most of the videos.
Easy to follow instructions. They coach you through the entire workout giving tips and and providing some encouragement (in a non-annoying way)
They’re real people. You’re not looking at some crazy tanned, ripped man/lady with an unobtainable figure. They are obviously fit but they look like regular people.
Variety. They have a ton of different videos and their interface makes it easy to customize the workout you want based on a variety of criteria including duration, calorie burn, difficulty level and body focus.

While this is my favourite online option there are literally thousands of different videos to choose from. Just make sure you pick someone that has some credentials and seems to know what they’re talking about. You want someone that can coach you through the workout and give you legitimate advice on form and posture so you don’t end up hurting yourself.

2. Run.

I kind of hate running. But, I’ve always been really good at it. So I do it.

When it comes to free exercise there is nothing cheaper then going for a run. All you need is a pair of running shoes…..or not…there are many advocates of barefoot running (just google it).

Also, you don’t need fancy workout clothes. I’ve seen many people running in jeans. I look at them like, “WTF,” it’s a bit strange and seems quite uncomfortable but it’s doable.

If you hate running and need some extra motivation to get out there then join a running group….a FREE running group. Find people in a Facebook group or start your own group. I personally hate running with other people because I like my alone time to think or listen to a podcast BUT, running with others can be motivating and it will also hold you accountable.

3. Walk.

Go for a walk. This sounds like such a simple concept but it’s crazy how many people hardly walk during the day. It’s normal to get up, get in the car to go to work, sit at a desk all day, drive home, eat dinner, park it in front of the T.V. and then go to sleep.

They say sitting in the new smoking (by “they” I mean scientists…specifically Dr. James Levine from the Mayo Clinic…you can look it up if you’re interested!)

So start walking more. Park in the furthest spot when you go to the grocery store, take the stairs, start a walking group at work and instead of going out for lunch bring your lunch and go for a walk (double whammy – save money and get fit).

You live in Canada and it’s too fricken cold for a walk outside? Go and join the senior citizens and new moms for a walk in the mall.

4. Hike.

It’s like walking, but harder!

Hiking is awesome. Fresh air, beautiful landscapes and great exercise, all rolled into one. Instead of heading for Sunday brunch pack a picnic and go for a hike (again, save some money and get fit).

5. Adult playgrounds.

We recently had an adult playground installed in our neighbourhood. I remember walking home from work while they were building it and thinking, that is the most dangerous playground I’ve ever seen. It was just a bunch of pointy metal structures. Now I understand that it was made for adults….although, it’s still mainly kids that ‘play’ on it.

6. Use your student status.

If you’re a student then take advantage of it. When I was in school I got a free gym membership (free as in you pay for it in your student fees), free access to squash, swimming, skating etc. You’re paying a ton of money to be a student, so get everything you can out of it.

7. Bike.

I know, I know. A bike isn’t free BUT I bet many of you reading this already have a bike or know someone with a bike that you could borrow.

8. Weight training.

But wait, weights cost money.

No, no. There are weights all around you. I’ve used soup cans, full water bottles and my even my 20 pound baby to incorporate weight into my workouts. Get creative!

9. Dance.

Just dance!! Turn on your favourite music and give ‘er. Dancing burns a ton of calories and it just makes you feel good.

10. Stairs.

There’s nothing more punishing then a good stair climb. So find a flight whether its in your house, at work or outside in a park. Find some stairs and run up and down them (because hey, this is what stairs are for). Free and effective. Your ass will thank you.

11. Plan a sunny vacation.

The prospect of wearing a bathing suit can be very motivating. Of course the goal of fitness should be about health and wellness but looking good in a swimsuit can be a secondary objective.

12. Do your chores.

Vacuum, sweep, scrub and dust. You can definitely work up a sweat cleaning your house. It’s another doubly whammy – a workout and a clean house all rolled into one!