How to exercise for free, because gyms are so expensive right now

Feeling the pinch? With just about everything increasing – inflation hit
10.4% in February – you might be reassessing the cost of that pricey gym membership.

In the UK, fitness fans spend an average of £40 per month on the gym – but exercise needn’t come with a price tag. It’s possible to stay active without parting with your hand-earned cash.

And before you start to get flashbacks, that doesn’t necessarily mean a throwback to lockdown era workouts when gyms were closed.

There are plenty of fun – and free – ways to exercise that are still sociable and connect you with people in your local community.

Try running

The most obvious choice, running is super accessible. If you’re starting out, the beloved – and free – Couch To 5K app offers motivational guidance from celebrities like Jo Whiley and Sarah Millican.

Then, once you’ve reached this milestone, seek community through Parkrun. Taking place at 9am every Saturday, there are over 2,000 locations in 22
countries, so take your pick.

Elsewhere, searching through RunTogether – a place to search for runs in your area – can sometimes pull up free options. If you need help with your technique, The Running Channel offers advice on everything from stretching to warming up.

Not only will a run around the local park cost you precisely zero pounds, but it’s also super beneficial for your mental health. If you’re worried about money, sitting in a dark room with a pile of bills can feel isolating: a quick trip outside – though not a way to heal your bank account – can serve as a reminder that actually, everything will be okay.

Explore local sporting groups

Whether it’s netball or football you’re seeking to play, why not try searching for local sporting groups? Organising a quick game of five-a- side is also a fun way to socialise.

Most local groups and teams will have pages on Facebook and Instagram, so do a quick search and see what you can find. Or, if you happen to spot a team playing that you fancy joining, be brave and simply go up to them and ask how you can get involved.

If you live on the coast – and are feeling brave – sea swim groups are also usually free to join.

Lots of parks also offer outdoor fitness equipment, so why not pop down and see what you can find. It might be a harder work-out with no machine-automated settings, but it will be gratis.

Earn prizes for your step count

Yes, you heard correctly. There are a range of apps that will offer you vouchers and prizes in return for your step count, whether you’re meticulously tracking your 10,000 a day, or looking to gently increase your movement.

BetterPoints allows you to collect points from walking, running or cycling. Any points you rack up can be redeemed as vouchers, with previously participating shops including Ikea, Argos and Currys. Winwalk works much the same, allocating one winwalk coin for every 100 steps, which can then be used to redeem gift cards.  

Remember: if you’re already running, then those steps will also add on to any extra you might spend walking.

Stream online fitness sessions

YouTube is your best friend. Yoga With Adriene is totally free, as are Blogilates and MadFit.

If you’re looking for a quick 20-minute workout, Nike Training Club also
offers multiple fitness tutorials on Netflix. This one technically involves
no extra cost but would necessitate either an existing membership or a
free trial.

Get started with low-cost equipment

If you need to top up your gym legging collection, charity shops often
offer low-cost exercise wear. You don’t need all the gear: just something
you can comfortably sweat in.

Decathlon has also just launched a new equipment rental service. Here,
you can borrow everything from bikes to paddle boards.

Freecycle and Facebook Marketplace are also useful places to search for pre-loved dumbells, skipping ropes and exercise mats.

Keep fit and give back

GoodGym is a community that prides itself on getting fit by doing good. Open to all levels, there’s no gate-keeping (and no membership fee) here: this initiative helps local community organisations and isolated older people through running, walking and cycling.

You can also help out by planting trees in the local park, shifting earth for a community gardening project or by helping an older person with household maintenance.

And if you’re wanting to connect further, GoodGym organises frequent social events, from parties to races.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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