Fitness on a Budget
People avoid working out for many reasons. To name a few:
- Limited time
- Too tired
- Too hard
- No motivation
- Dislike pain
- Frustration from slow results
- Weather
- Physical limitations
- Lack of money
All of these are poor excuses – some I’ve used many times by the way – but I think the last one (lack of money) is the most ridiculous. Why does exercise need to cost anything at all? It’s usually because the person wants a bunch of fancy doo-dads before beginning a new fitness routine. They want to join a gym; attend group classes; hire a personal trainer; buy individual weights, balls, ropes, mats, steps, water bottles, workout DVDs, cute gym clothes, etc. You get the picture. But there are many effective ways to exercise without spending a dime.
I’ve recently committed to a permanent lifestyle of health & fitness. I promised myself that I’d take better care of my body, eat healthy, and exercise regularly. To keep that promise, I began the Couch to 5k Running Plan – also known as C25K. How much did it cost me? $0.
- I did not join a gym or hire a personal trainer. I run on the treadmill at the fitness center in my apartment community. When the weather warms up, I look forward to running outside and inhaling the fresh air.
- I did not buy any fancy workout clothes. I wear regular old cotton pants, a sports bra, and a T-shirt – all of which were purchased a long time ago. Before I began running, I also wore them to grocery store on Saturday mornings. LOL! #dontjudgeme
- I did not need any special equipment, just the legs and feet God gave me.
For the first few weeks, I did not spend a dime. Yes, I wanted to buy the fancy doo-dads because they’re cool and even convenient. But they aren’t necessary to get started. Besides, I didn’t know if running was a form of exercise that I’d stick with long term, so I didn’t let the allure of new “stuff” be a roadblock to creating a better, healthier me. Now that I’m reconditioning my mind/body and have found an exercise that I truly enjoy, I may invest in a few things to help me reach my fitness goals. But until I see some results, I will save my money.
If you are putting off exercise due to limited finances, please consider another form of exercise that is free or low cost. One that you enjoy, of course, but doesn’t break the bank. Here are a few ideas here and here. You don’t need all the extra stuff. And your body will thank you.
In the next post, I’ll share a few basic things I’ve recently purchased and some of the fancy doo-dads I want to purchase…one day.
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May I recommend a ‘dri-fit’ t-shirt.
When you start to sweat quite profusely, these are marvellous at wicking away the sweat.
When I first started my fitness regime. I bought a black sleeveless one. (cheap over here £12). This has become my standard workout gear now that I work out 5 days a week, I have 5. (but I bought them sometimes a month apart, all budgeted for)
Good luck single Ma,
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Single Ma Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Nice. I may consider it later, but this also proves the point of this post. A dri-fit t-shirt may be nice to have, but my regular cotton t-shirt works just fine for now.
My main objective when getting started was to “Just Do It.” Focusing on reconditioning my mind and body was already hard enough. I didn’t have the time, energy, or motivation to worry about what kind of fancy gear I was wearing. Had I bought a ‘dri-fit t-shirt” for $12 or even $5, it would have been a waste of money if I quit exercising 2 weeks later.
Anyone just starting out doesn’t need any special workout gear. Once exercise becomes a habit and a permanent part of their lives, then the fancy doo-dads like “dri-fit t-shirts” may be worth the investment.
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Great post! For the first couple of years, I invested very little money in workout gear. I mainly wore all of my old soccer shorts and t-shirts. Admittedly I was a fashion train wreck, but I was still fit. My most costly investment was a pair of running shoes, which cost $125! Love your blog and money tips. As discipline as I am at running and working out, I still have a ways to go when it comes to really saving money. *heavy sigh*
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Single Ma Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Thanks for reading. Please feel free to share your running tips/experience anytime. I am slowly transforming the blog to include fitness with finance.
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You’re absolutely correct you don’t need to spend a lot of money. But I caution all readers if you are going to run get yourself a GOOD pair or running shoes with support. You do not want Shin Splints. That is the most painful thing I think I’ve ever experienced. They could have sold me shoes that cost 1000.00 (and i would have robbed peter paul and anyone else to get it) to make that pain go away!
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Single Ma Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 9:40 am
Good point. I will address this in my next post.
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ha! my workout clothes are the same type too. Whatever works, right? hehe.
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when I first started working out I did the same.. the only thing I actually invested in was a good pair of running shoes because I’ve been a runner most of my life and know the issues that can arise without a good pair of shoes. Once I became a fitness professional it changed my view of workout clothing and it’s just as I do for my 9-5 but the added benefit is it’s a tax write off :)
congrats on your progress
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Single Ma Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
*waving* Hey BK! Long time, no see or hear from. Thanks for checking in and providing support.
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you are so right—running is the cheapest and easiest form of exercise out there!
I do have to agree with the above comment about shoes—they are worth the extra money because they will save you pain/injuries and money in the long run.
Another tip is that Target has VERY cheap wicking shirts for when you are ready to invest. :)
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Great post, and I have to agree with your other comments. A good pair of running shoes is a MUST, but being “good” isn’t about being the most expensive. You need to go to a running specific store and have the check out your feet. Unfortunately I’m dealing with an injury (stress fracture), that is the result of running in the wrong shoes.
Great blog, I’m new here but look forward to getting caught up!
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I started my weight loss journey on Dec 3. Total weight lost as of today is 20 Lbs. Yaaaay! Like you I didn’t want to focus on frills, so rented some exercise DVDs from the video place/Netflix and popped in the computer/DVD, whatever works for you! Key is to find the motivation to keep it going…God bless
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Well, first, I have to make a (slight) objection to your generalization about physical limitations being a poor excuse not to exercise. I doubt you meant anything by it, but it gets frustrating to read blanket statements when, like me, you have chronic fatigue.
At any rate, though, I agree that exercise doesn’t have to be expensive. I specifically made sure we found an apartment complex with a small fitness center. And it is small. But it’s got an elliptical machine, so it’s a start. Meanwhile, no gym fees.
Meanwhile, I got a couple of pairs of shorts (because I had only one pair) at Marshall’s for $7 each. I did invest in a couple more sports bras and I have to say I wish I hadn’t cheap-ed out on those but they’re serviceable for now. If I start jogging, though, I’m going to want to invest in some support.
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ahhh … single ma, I think you misunderstood me or i simply wasn’t clear enough.
People generally start to sweat profusely once their exercise routine has really started to ‘bed down’, that generally takes a bit more than 2weeks…
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Rebecca Reply:
February 12th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
I really just think the point of the post was that people spend unnessary money or use that as an excuse not to exercise when really all you need to do is put feet to pavement. Afterwards once it’s become a lifestyle then investing in all the wonderful things that enhance your workout are great to have’s.
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Single Ma Reply:
February 12th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
EGG-XACTLY!
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