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Can’t Afford High Gym Prices? Completely Free Outdoor Workout Ideas

The gym may be the ideal workout environment, but that doesn’t mean it’s the most affordable one. Even though many would like to reach their fitness goals in the gym, it simply isn’t financially possible for them to do so. Does this mean you should simply give up on your workout routine entirely? No, not at all. The gym isn’t the only place which can give you the results you need.

The great outdoors is full of workout opportunities that you’ll love. Not only will they be completely free, but each work out will be entirely different, too. The outdoors offer you a variety the gym never could. This can keep you interested in working out for longer and let you discover all the amazing things your body can do. As well as that, you’ll be out in the fresh air, getting your daily dose of vitamin D, and supporting your body’s needs in more than just one way.

1. Running

Though running is the first thing you think of when you’re talking about outdoor workouts, it’s far from ineffective. Many beginners dread running because it’s hard and exhausting, as they haven’t worked on their cardio for ages. Though running will allow you to see your town with different eyes and save a lot of dough on the gym, it does take some getting used to. The best thing to do is to start gradually. The definition of gradual can change depending on what kind of person you are.

For some, gradual means running for 10 minutes, then building it up to 15, then 20, until you finally get to your desired hour mark. For others, it means you’ll start by powerwalking first. This is a great option for those who haven’t been physically active for a while, as you’ll get your body used to moving first. You can run around your neighborhood first, or go to a nearby park for your daily dose of exercise. Whatever you decide, don’t forget to bring your favorite tunes and a pair of headphones with you. As well as that, stay hydrated on your run to help your body function properly.

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2. Swimming

Working out your whole body is easy when you swim. Even though pool passes can be expensive, they’re much cheaper if you buy a yearly pass. If you use a student discount or your employer’s benefits, you’ll pay even less. If you’re lucky enough to live in a town with a river or lake, you can go swimming for free. Swimming in the sea or the ocean is also a very good option. In any case, it’s much more effective and much cheaper than the gym.

Swimming is the favorite of many because it’s a very meditative exercise. Aside from working out all the muscles in your body and making you more defined, swimming also has the power to relax your mind. This is especially true when you’re doing it outside on a warm summer day. The sun and the sound of the water can be enough to make you fall in love with this exercise.

You can always make things more interesting for yourself by doing aqua aerobics. Another idea is to go snorkeling instead of just swimming. Whatever you decide, don’t forget to bring your sunscreen. Swimming can go awry pretty quickly when you get a bad sunburn.

3. Use the stairs

Our first reaction when we see the stairs is usually to check if there’s an elevator. Instead of going with that first instinct, you should use the stairs to your advantage. Take them instead of the elevator every time you get the chance. As well as that, use them for your quality outdoors workout. You won’t believe how good stairs are for cardio and building muscle.

There are many ways you can use the stairs productively. You can do the classic thing and climb up and down them many times in a row. When this inevitably bores you, don’t be afraid to come up with games you can play with yourself. These various exercises will help you strengthen different parts of your body.

For your glutes and quads, you should do stair lunges. To work out the muscles of the inner and outer thigh, do side leg stair hops. If you want to kick it up a notch, you can always challenge yourself by doing side less double stair hop. These exercises are practically the same but the latter is more difficult because you have to skip two stairs at a time.

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4. Attend local workouts

Regardless of where you live, there are bound to be local workouts that you can attend. These workouts are usually hosted by non-profit groups who want to promote healthy life choices to the people they share the community with. Anyone can join the local workout, so why shouldn’t you? These kinds of workouts are usually held outside when the weather is nice, effectively getting you out of the house and into the groove of working out.

This is also a great idea for those who are too shy to work out outside on their own. This way, you’ll be with a group which is doing the same thing they’re doing. You’ll easily find your confidence and motivation to work out when all the people around you are doing the same thing. This is an excellent opportunity to make new friends and get to know your community in a way you seldom get to.

Joining such a group is also more of a guarantee that you’ll keep working out. It feels like you’ve made a commitment to these people, even though you’re not paying them. It’s much nicer to work out in a supportive environment anyway. When winter and cold weather come round, you can count on the group moving their workouts to a closed area in most cases. This means you’ll get to keep up with your routine for free regardless of the weather.

5. Cycling

If you have a bike, you’re ready to take the world by storm. You can map out a bike route around town depending on your skill level and have one of the most productive workouts of your life. As your skill increases, you can stay away from the urban areas and cycle in nature as much as possible. You’ll get to know the surrounding forests and hills, treat your lungs to some fresh air, and spend your days in a calming and relaxing environment.

When cycling for long periods of time, it’s always important to stay nourished. Though it may seem easy, this activity will exhaust you. To save more money, you should pack your own snacks for your bike ride. A nutritious protein mug cake and a bottle of water will be enough to keep you going for hours and get you home safely. The protein will give you an extra boost of energy and the water will keep your body running like a well-oiled machine. Just make sure to use a reusable plastic or glass bottle so as not to pollute the environment. This will save you a lot of money in the long run, too.

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6. Fitness challenges

There are various outdoor fitness challenges that you can complete. They’re all interesting and fit for different people, but more importantly, they’re all free. If you have a back yard, you can easily nail challenge after challenge. If not, the nearby park will do. To find the best challenges, you’ll need to go online.

You’ve surely noticed that the internet has gone crazy for exercise lately. Once you start following one inspirational exercise person or page, you’ll start following them all. This is the place where you’ll get the most inspiration for your outdoor fitness challenges. Even though you’ll come across some challenges which can be completed inside, you’ll find many which require props you can only find somewhere outside.

This is an extremely fun way to work out outside because it will always give you another way to complete your workout. You’ll never be bored, you’ll get to challenge yourself in every way, and you won’t spend a dime in the process. All the equipment you need will be your hands and a good attitude. If you do need props for some challenges, you’ll easily find them in nature for free. After all, these challenges are designed in a way to save you as much money as possible.

Conclusion

Taking advantage of the weather outside is always a good idea. You’ll get so much more from your outdoor workouts than you ever could from the gym. Instead of just being stuck in one room, you’ll get to explore around you in many different ways. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your workouts. As long as you’re moving out and about, you’re doing a good job. We’re confident that these ideas will help you reach your true potential and work out more efficiently than ever before.

Do you have a tip for forgoing the high cost of a gym membership? What types of outdoor workout activities do you enjoy?  🗣 Tell us in the comments section below!

Thank you, Mia Johnson, for an excellent article!