Terri Ramsey Beavers Looking after your health can sometimes be pricey. You may have noticed that the cost of lean meats and vegetables has gone up in recent months, much like everything else. While it can be tempting to opt for cheaper, less healthy options, you might have stuck to your guns and continued to purchase those better choices. At the same time, you may also want to start exercising, but wonder if it is possible when living on a rather strict budget.
Look into equipment
Some types of exercise may be more expensive than others. If your budget is rather strict, it may be unlikely that you are able to afford water sports, or those that you have to pay tens or hundreds of dollars monthly to partake in. This could see a lot of options taken off of your list. Something like purchasing volleyballs, along with a volleyball air pump, may be much more affordable. This could be something you set up on the beach, in the park, or even in your backyard if space allows.
Having your own equipment can allow you to engage in the sport at times that suit you, for years to come, as long as it is properly looked after and maintained. You could also use this as a time to practice so that, if there’s a point where money is less of an issue, you could play volleyball as part of a club as well.
Use nature to your advantage
When money is tight, you may not want to spend more than you have to. The use of a pool can cost a significant amount, especially if you do not have a membership. However, for those that live near bodies of water, swimming may still be a viable option. Before doing so, you may want to look into the safety of wild swimming. Using a section of beach that has lifeguards, and adhering to warnings, can allow you to exercise with minimal risk. Quarries, rivers, or lakes can pose dangers, especially if there is no one watching to ensure you are alright. Other options of using nature can involve walks in your local area, going for a run in a park or forest, or even minimal amounts of natural bouldering where it is safe to do so.
Use discounts
If you really want to visit a gym, or another kind of facility, to get your exercise, you may need to be prepared to pay quite a lot of money for the privilege. Some gyms offer student discounts, or other forms of savings, that could make this more of a viable option. You might also want to keep an eye out at certain times of the year when businesses may hold promotions.
It is possible to engage in exercise when you don’t have a large budget to work with. However, you may want to think about ways you can really cut the costs of doing so, or even find ways to achieve those goals for free, to keep your body and bank account healthy.