Getting in shape and developing a healthy fitness routine is one of the top new year’s resolutions people make each year. It’s not hard to see why. The benefits of fitness and exercise are well-documented, from helping with weight loss, reducing stress, increasing metabolism and building confidence, exercise is an essential part of improving overall well being.
Along with exercising more, saving more is also a top new year’s resolution. Especially after spending a small fortune on gifts and holiday festivities, many people are looking to cut back on spending to start saving more. But committing to working out and saving more may seem like two opposing goals. Gym memberships can be expensive, not to mention hiring a trainer to help you stay on track and commit to your fitness goals.
It’s also hard for many people to keep their initial enthusiasm and excitement going when it comes to new year’s resolutions. According to one study, 20% of resolutions are broken within the first week of January, and 80% are broken within the first year.
Finding enough time and energy to commit to the gym is hard. It’s also expensive to pay for a gym membership and a trainer which can take away from saving more. Not to worry, here are a few solutions to help you maintain your fitness routine while saving at the same time.
Workout at Home
Getting in shape and working out more often does not require a gym membership. At home, workouts are one of the best and most convenient ways to start working out more. It’s convenient because you don’t have to get dressed and drive to the gym. You can simply roll out of bed and start a quick workout.
Working out at home also saves you from having to pay expensive gym fees. Many gyms charge an initiation fee, monthly membership fee, and annual fee, which can cost over $500.
These days you can find a variety of free at-home workouts on YouTube. A few of my favorites include:
- One a Day Workout
- Bodyfit by Amy
- Pamela Reif
You can also use apps like Nike’s Training Club that features real athletes taking you through workout routines.
Invest In Inexpensive Gym Equipment
Since the pandemic, there has been a surge in demand for at-home fitness equipment. Companies like Peloton have seen explosive growth for their flagship stationary bike. But starting at $1,895 for their most basic bike is quite expensive for any budget. It also takes up a lot of space.
The good thing is, you don’t need expensive gym equipment to start working out. In fact, you don’t need any equipment at all to get started. Bodyweight exercises like push-ups, squats, lunges and burpees provide tons of resistance and strength training.
As you progress, you can add a few inexpensive pieces of equipment to your at-home gym. This includes a set of dumbbells and a workout mat. Depending on the size of the weights, these can be found at your local Walmart for a reasonable price.
Carve Out Space for Workouts
Whether it’s your living room, bedroom or garage, try to carve out space for your workouts. Creating a dedicated space allows you to have a dedicated area for you to exercise. You will want to keep that area clutter-free and easily accessible.
Even if you don’t have a lot of space at home, try to get creative. A small corner in your bedroom can provide enough space for you to workout. If it still feels too confined, get outside or go to a local park.
Subscribe to an On-Demand Fitness Program
One of the things that can help you stick to a workout routine is having a defined workout program that you can follow step-by-step each day.
If you hire a personal trainer, this is what you would get. He or she would walk you through a predefined set of exercises with a certain amount of repetitions for a specific period. But instead of having to pay $50 per hour, you can tap into a variety of on-demand fitness subscriptions right at home.
These programs range from 21 days to 90 days and in between. They vary in length and can be tailored to your fitness level, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced. A few that I have tried include 21 Day Fix and Transform 20. All workouts were 30 minutes or less.
Create a routine
Whether your goals are to save more or to exercise more, developing a routine will help you to stay on track. If your goal is to work out three times per week, make sure to carve out the specific days and time you plan to workout.
The same goes for saving. Set your savings goals and intentions and work towards those goals. This can include creating a budget or, better yet, a personal cash flow statement to keep track of your expenses and income.
Whatever your goals are for 2021, just know you can achieve them by simply getting started. If saving more and fitness are at the top of your list I hope you found these tips useful.
Tiffany Trotter is the founder of BraveSelfStarter, a community dedicated to helping self-starters navigate careers and personal finance. Check out her YouTube Channel for more career and personal finance tips. She is also a children’s book author committed to encouraging girls and boys to be brave and confident.