With summer just around the corner, we all understand the pressure to get your beach body ready.
However, the pursuit of a fitter future can be a pricey one.
The costs of gyms, workout equipment and personal trainers can put serious strain on anyone’s budget.
However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t work out and get fit for less.
Check out some of our tips for saving money on your summer body.
What Ola and James Jordan really ate and did to shed 7st
Work out in nature
While many sports and fitness activities including spinning, Pilates or golf can be quite costly, there are lots of great, inexpensive options you can do outside to help you save.
Running is a great option for those looking to get fit for less.
If you live in a city, running along the street or in a park can be a great activity for any time of day. If you live in the countryside, you can find a nearby running track.
If you’re looking for a more challenging alternative to running, why not search for some local hiking routes?
Hiking can be a great way to work on your fitness while also getting to see some of the UK’s natural beauty.
Another great option is to go swimming. Many local sports centres have swimming pools which you can access for a relatively small fee.
If you’re located near the coast, swimming in the ocean can be a refreshing way to stay fit.
Workout at home
If getting out in nature isn’t for you, or the British weather gets in your way, why not try working out at home?
Although many people may be sick of working out at home after the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a great way to get fit for less.
There are tons of quick and easy full-body workouts available online, including fat-burning or muscle-building plans.
I’m a fitness pro & everyone makes the same mistake when trying to lose weight
You can also substitute many more expensive fitness activities with at-home tutorials.
Following yoga or Pilates tutorials can simulate the feeling of going to a fitness class without any of the cost.
You can also do simple workouts such as using a skipping rope to get fitter from home.
Save on workout equipment
While working out from home can be cheaper, buying equipment can add a large one-off cost before you know if you will enjoy that form of exercise.
Buying a brand-new treadmill or home weights can be quite costly, especially if you’re only beginning your fitness journey.
Thankfully, there are some ways to save on your workout equipment.
Use equipment alternatives
A great, cheaper way to get started on your work-outs is to try using substitutes for common exercise equipment around your house. For Pilates workouts, you can use hand towels as sliders.
Heavy items like cans or flour can be great substitutes for dumbbells, while a bottle of laundry detergent can sub in for kettlebells.
Finally, a chair or table can act as a bench to be used for triceps dips.
Purchase second-hand equipment
If you feel like you’re ready to invest in some homework out equipment but not ready to pay the price for brand new, why not try second-hand?
Second-hand equipment can be a great option to build your home gym for less.
You can find great deals on second-hand treadmills, weights and more online, including 50% off refurbished sporting goods on eBay.
Keep an eye on sporting sales
A great motivator to work out is buying new workout clothes, but this can take its toll on our budget.
However, many sports stores often offer discounts and deals on everything from tops to shorts to running shoes.
Keep an eye out on brands like JD Sports and Sports Direct for sales.
Research some inexpensive gyms
Although home workouts can be a great alternative, some people find it more motivating to go to the gym.
If this is the case for you, there are still ways to save on your gym membership.
Researching your local gyms to find the cheapest gym membership is a great first step.
Many gyms offer reduced memberships, including seasonal deals like new year offers and summer sales.
Many gyms also offer free trial periods, which can allow you to decide whether that gym is for you.
There are also some great ways to reduce your gym membership.
If you like to work out during your lunch break or work outside typical work hours, check to see if your gym offers a reduced access membership for a lower price.
You could also check if your employer subsidises your gym membership as a part of your employee benefits package.
If none of those options are available, you can find extremely affordable gym memberships in UK gym chains.
PureGym has over 352 branches across the UK and most of their branches offer membership from £15.99.
The Gym Group have over 234 branches in the UK and memberships start at just £13.99 a month.
Other ways to get fit for less
If none of the options we have a listed above, here are some other ways to make some savings on your fitness journey.
Workout with friends
Working out with friends can be a great way to save money and stay motivated to exercise.
Group activities can be a lot cheaper and more engaging as you are not alone.
Working out with your friends can be a lot cheaper, as you can play group sports or games like soccer, which doesn’t require too much equipment.
If you and your friend would like to do some more classic workouts together, you could also split the cost on workout equipment such as weights or exercise bands.
Want to find more savings on your online shopping? Then head to Sun Vouchers where you can get discounts and voucher codes from hundreds of top retailers including B&Q, Boots, Iceland, Lookfantastic, Dunelm, Adidas, Marks & Spencer and more.
