by Andy Orrell

Created on: May 14, 2010

So you have finally decided to get fit. Well done you! However, as you are probably aware, joining a gym these days is very expensive. Buying your own equipment can also cost you a great deal of money. So is it possible to get fit without spending money? Well in a word, yes, it is! So here are some simple ideas for getting fit for free!

1. Go Running - Running is one of the easiest ways to get fit. Make sure you have a good routine, experts recommend doing a full run on day one, on day two run half the distance at half the pace and then on day three rest. Then repeat the cycle, this will help you avoid injury. When you first start running start off slow and easy, as the days and weeks pass your fitness will improve and you can increase the distance you run and the pace you run at.

2. Walking - If you’re going on a short journey, leave you car at home and walk. Just walking for half an hour a day can greatly increase your fitness. You won’t get as fit as you would from running, but walking is a great place to start and a good way to increase fitness.

3. Swimming - Swimming is a fantastic way to get fit. Swimming in swimming pools will obviously cost you money, but if you live nearby a lake or near the sea then swimming is free. Be aware of any dangers though when swimming in the sea or any lakes. If you can find somewhere to swim for free this is ideal as it exercises many of your muscles and is a low impact activity which means there is little chance of any injury.

4. Aerobics - This is not as popular as it used to be, but it’s a great way to get fit that really increases core strength and flexibility. There are usually TV shows you can watch that have exercise routines you can follow. Or you can get instructional videos from the library.

5. Lift Weights - If you are looking to build muscle or tone up, then lifting weights is a great idea. You don’t have to spend money on fancy dumbbells or expensive gym equipment. Just lift every day items, fill some bottles with water and use these. Put some bricks in a bag and lift these, the possibilities are endless and it’s easy to find different weights that suit you best.

6. The Little Things - Most people think that exercise means going out and doing something specific for a set amount of time. However, if you just do little things throughout the day this will improve your fitness. For example, run up the stairs instead of walking, dance while you make your morning coffee, if you sit at a desk, tap your feet and move around. Every little extra bit of movement will increase your fitness.

These are just a few simple suggestions that will help you get fit for free. Some may work for you and some may not, but give them a try and see what suits you best. Don’t feel you have to stick to one area of exercise, try mixing and matching, run one day, swim another, walk a few miles another. Make exercise interesting and fun and you will soon find you are enjoying getting yourself fit and healthy.

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