You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on things like supplements and gym memberships to improve your health. There are plenty of free or cheap lifestyle changes you can make and, if you know where to look, you can even find opportunities to get fit with others in your community. Here are some basic tips about how you can get into better shape without spending lots of money.
Keeping track of your exercise routine and progress will help you stay committed to and reach your exercise goals. But there’s even better news: It won’t cost you a dime! There are plenty of free apps that you can download to your phone, whether you need some daily motivation, something to help you set and reach goals, or something that will provide more tips and suggestions for how you can continue to improve. Try one of these:
1. HealthyWage
This app uses “gamification” to motivate users to meet their weight loss goals. Download the app and set a personal challenge, or work with friends and family members to set group goals. You can send workout challenges to your friends in the app, which is exactly the motivation many people need to get moving. HealthyWage is free.
2. 7 Minute Workout
Don’t have much time to exercise every day? If you have an iPhone or an Android device, that’s no longer an excuse. This app mixes 72 exercises and 22 workouts, offerings hundreds of routines that you can access for free at the touch of a button. Workout times vary, and you can also create custom sets featuring your favourite manoeuvres.
3. MyFitnessPal
This app is a must-have if you need help tracking your caloric intake and how much you’re burning off during exercise. Quickly log your meals from a library of over 5 million food items, and calculate your exercise effectiveness based on workout duration and your weight to help you keep a balanced lifestyle. MyFitnessPal is also free.
Burn Calories Without Going to a Gym
Even if you only have a few minutes each day, you can prioritize that time by incorporating targeted exercises that burn lots of calories in a short period of time. Some of the best options for this purpose are sprinting, hill workouts, jogging, and jump roping. The good news is that these activities have almost no financial barrier to entry. Many school tracks are open to the public, or you can find a hilly residential area or public park to exercise. 
Drink More Water and Eat More Veggies
To get the best results from your exercise time, you must eat healthily. If you’ve decided to follow the tips above, that’s a great start. But staying hydrated and eating plenty of vegetables are critical dietary components for any person who’s working out. The average person needs six to eight 8-ounce glasses daily, but you’ll need more depending on your health requirements, how much exercising you do, and whether you live in a warm climate. 
Add Some Simple Activities Into Your Daily Routine
You don’t need to make major lifestyle changes to meet your exercise goals. For many people, it’s more realistic to make small adjustments that are easy to stick to and don’t leave you feeling burnt out. For example, you could try waking up early to exercise or doing some stretches during your lunch break. Here are some suggestions for simple, easy to incorporate activities:
- Walk: Walking is an excellent exercise. Moderate, brisk walks before or after coming home from work (for example, a few 10-minute walks or one 30-minute walk) is a totally free and effective form of exercise.
- Yoga: Yoga is another free form of exercise that’s fantastic for your mind and body. You can set aside some time for a 15-minute routine or even try some stretches at your desk every couple of hours.
- Swimming: Swimming is another fantastic fat burning exercise. It’s also very low impact, so it’s wonderful for your joints. If you have access to a free community pool or live close enough to a lake or beach, consider working some laps into your health plan.
It can be helpful to look at the recommended amount of exercise time needed each week and set your goals to meet those standards. This will help you know whether you need to work out more or less, and it can provide a structure to help you stay focused on reaching the finish line. 
Attend Community Meet-ups
Sometimes, it’s really difficult to stick to a health plan when you’re on your own. Community meet-ups are a great way to solve this issue, and they’re often totally free. As an extra bonus, you can find a group of people who share your interests and avoid types of exercise that you really dislike. For example, if you don’t like running, you can find a local cycling group or connect with a community that arranges frequent trips to local hiking trails. You just might find yourself stepping up your personal exercise at home, so you can leave everyone else in the dust!
Watch Free Workout Videos Online
There are thousands of free exercise routines posted on sites like YouTube. Take advantage of them. Yoga videos are abundant, and it’s easy to find teachers who construct lessons tailored to beginners or experts. If you want something to get your blood pumping, you can find Pilates lessons, videos that focus on plyometrics, and strength training sessions that require no extra equipment. These videos are free and, outside of optional tools like yoga blocks and resistance bands, they can be incorporated into your routine without opening up your wallet. 
Are you ready to meet your wellness goals? If so, think twice before spending any money. You don’t need to drop lots of cash to get in shape. Just make a few day-to-day changes, and you’ll start seeing improvements to your health at no cost to your bank account.
