3 Ways To Get Active Without Going To The Gym

The gym does not have all the answers. It may seem like a great investment in yourself to get a membership but are you being honest with yourself? It can be a great expense if you use it regularly and take advantage of all the perks. It's not if you only go a few times a month or even less. Luckily, the gym is not the only place where you can get active. So whether you want to cut a cost that isn't justified or you just want to cut costs in general, here are a few ideas to get a regular workout in without paying a chunk of money each month.

1. Get outside. If you live in a city, many have parks and paths for runners and bikers. Get outside and take advantage of them. Grab a friend and commit to a run or a bike ride a few times a week. Take your dog for a walk every day after work. If you live in the suburbs or a rural area, there is plenty of space to do the same thing. My hometown has two different trails to take advantage of and I'm sure it's not the only one.

2. Download workout plans. There are tons of apps, websites and Youtube influencers that now offer workouts and workout plans for free or for a small price. Some of my personal favorites are Blogilates, Tone It Up, Popsugar Active, SworkIt and the Nike App. Blogilates actually sends a calendar of workouts each month if you sign up for their newsletters. They also have a lot of great targeted workout plans if you have a problem area. Tone It Up shares weekly workout routines that are amazing. What's great about these particular options is that you can do them anywhere. Another great perk is that since you're not paying a heavy price for these. If you want to swap out a day's workout with a hike or a Zumba class you can do so without the guilt.

3. Incorporate activity into your regular schedule. An easy and effective way to get active without a gym is just make better choices in an average day. For example, if you have three or less floors to get to via elevator, take the stairs instead. If you can walk a few extra blocks to work instead of take the bus, do it. Take your lunch breaks and go for a walk. We only spend 10-15 minutes eating anyway. Might as well use the rest of that time to get some activity in. If you work from home, stop every hour for five minutes. Take a walk around the block, do a quick yoga routine or do interval exercises. Any extra activity that you can add into your day will make a difference in the long run. You will notice it. 

What are some tips to getting active without a gym that you have? Tell us in the comments below.