Thick Book for Step ExercisesAfter sitting on the shelf for many years, this 1969 dictionary has come in handy. I don't want to get rid of it and I've found another use for it.
Frugal FitnessI am trying hard to stay healthy, isn't everyone? I've tried the YMCA, which was wonderful, but it isn't close by. Between the travel cost, time and membership, I looked for alternatives.
Stack Mats for Indoor ExerciseOfficial exercise mats and jump mats can be pretty expensive. When I'm at home, I like to run in place, do jumping jacks, and jump rope while I watch TV. The impact from the floor can be damaging to the body, so I stack a bunch of my mats on some carpets to lessen the blow.
Walking for ExerciseI have enjoyed these cool mornings and have started walking our country road for 30-45 minutes each morning. This makes 4 weeks that I have been doing this daily. When I wake up in the morning, I'm ready to hop out of bed and go for my walk before breakfast.
Free "Kettlebell" for ExerciseInstead of purchasing a kettlebell, use a large empty plastic laundry bottle filled with water. Tighten the cap before each use to be sure it is on tight.
Thrifty FitnessActively look for stairs to take rather than heading for escalators and elevators. If the trip up involves too many floors, use the stairs part of the way.
Little Bits of Exercise Add UpExercise each time you use the microwave. If it is going for 3 minutes, do leaning push ups against the counters. For 2 minutes, do squats. For 5 minutes, you won't believe how long 5 minutes can seem, try alternating lunges or tree pose from yoga.
Motivating Your WalksI find that I am more motivated to walk for exercise when I have something to look at! So I like to window shop up and down shopping areas. This is also true of casual sightseeing.
Spring Neck ExercisersIn order to keep my growing double chin under control, I bought a spring neck exerciser online. It does work, you place it under your chin and push against the spring.
Using KettlebellsWith its center of gravity located directly below the handle, it forces you to engage your core and leg muscles when doing even the most basic of exercises with a kettlebell.
Save on Your Gym MembershipGyms are expensive. If you have a membership, USE IT. Nothing's worse than wasting money, and not using what many people would love having extra for.
Municipal Health And Fitness FacilitiesThe city pool where I live has a weight room, and offers group exercise classes. While not as fancy as most commercial gyms, the family membership is significantly less than what we'd pay for just one person at a gym.
Walking for ExerciseWalking is one of the best all around exercises that a person can do. It doesn't require any special equipment, other than a good pair of walking shoes. You can walk almost anywhere at any time, even in inclement weather if you have the appropriate attire.
Wake Up Early To ExerciseI have found that the best time to exercise is first thing in the morning, that way, I don't have to find time throughout the day to try to get some exercise. I set my alarm to get up 30 minutes earlier each day.
Cheap Exercise BallMake your own weighted exercise balls by slitting opening 2 tennis balls and filling with pennies. Once full, cover the slit with duct tape! Voila! An exercise helper for "pennies" a day!
Wear Leg Weights While CleaningWhether you are cleaning house or just lounging, wear wrist and ankle weights for mild exercise.
Store Keys with Water BottleIf you constantly forget to take a bottle of water with you to the gym, do what I do: I put my car keys in the fridge behind the water bottle. I have to move the bottle to reach my car keys and voila, the water is not forgotten!
Check Craigslist for Used Fitness EquipmentWant the fitness benefits of gym membership but not the cost? Check Craigslist for a second hand version of the equipment you want. Sooner or later it will likely show up.
Make Studded Running ShoesI love to go trail running here in Alaska where there are lots of hills, so when snow, rain, or ice hit, I wear my studded running shoes! All you need is a drill and some sheet metal screws.
Use Mall Freebies as Walking MotivationUse your freebie mall coupons as an incentive to get out and mall walk! I am motivating myself by getting freebies, and then I stay to walk and window shop.
Exercise Ball As Desk ChairUse an exercise ball as an office chair! It's fun, comfortable, can be good for bad backs, and you work your core muscles while at your computer just sitting and maintaining your balance.
Get Exercise With a Walk Behind MowerLike most of us, I have some extra weight that I've had trouble getting off. I can't afford the cost of a gym, and even if I could, I probably wouldn't go.
Punch Cards for Fitness Club VisitsMembership at our local fitness club is far beyond our budget. However, they also sell punch cards to nonmembers for fitness classes, such as aerobics, and mind-and-body classes, such as yoga. This works out to less than $10.00 per class.
Stretch Muscles in Hot Tub Before SwimmingI've been swimming at the gym to help my back pain and I like to go into the hot tub before and after swimming. I've found that when I'm alone in the hot tub it's a great place to do my warm-up stretches.
You Don't Have to Spend $20 for Your Dog's NailsSeeing the Pediaws on TV made me want to have one for my Chinese pug. She has very sharp claws and for some reason it is her joy to scratch the living day lights out my legs. But it is just my laziness that causes the sharp nails.
Warning About Treadmill Dangers For ChildrenI have a warning about treadmills for any of you with small children or grandchildren. A friend of mine was telling me yesterday how her 4 year old grandson grabbed a treadmill while it was running and it removed the muscles and tendons on both hands.
Keeping Your Yoga Mat CleanThere are a few ways you can clean your yoga mat, here are a couple of ideas:
Run Stairs During Commercial BreaksI get at least 10 minutes of workout during commercial breaks when I watch my favorite TV shows that span for an hour or more. All I do is run up and down the stairs till the commercial is over.
Free Exercise EquipmentSome folks think that you have to have a bunch of expensive exercise equipment to get a good workout. Walking is completely free, just start doing so. A comfortable pair of shoes does help out tremendously.
Climb Stairs For ExerciseIf you want a frugal way to exercise and not have the cost associated with it, then follow this advice. Use the stairs. If you have stairs in your home, even if only 4 steps, go up and down a number of times for a great workout
Save on a YMCA MembershipThe local Y is desperate for volunteers, and I was able to negotiate a free membership in return for volunteering some of my time. Now I can go to all the water aerobics and other fitness classes I like, as well as use their extensive facilities whenever I want!
"Keep Moving" To Exercise DailyExercise without really trying. I hate exercising. To stay in shape I "keep moving". This means chores (they are a great source of calorie burning), playing physical games with my toddler (games running through the house), dancing to my favorite tunes and best of all: talk while you walk!
Recycled Food Containers As Water WeightsWash the Lay's Stax brand plastic chip cans, when finished with the chips. Also save your empty milk gallon and/or half gallon jugs. Fill them with water.
Gelatin for Muscle StiffnessWhen you do something physical that will likely cause muscle stiffness mix 1 packet of knox gelatin in a small amount of water or orange juice. Drink it quickly before it thickens. This will prevent a great deal of discomfort from stiff, sore muscles.
Burning Extra Calories While Cooking and CleaningTo burn off some extra calories, just play some fun dance music while you cook or clean. Tango over to the pantry, salsa over to the oven, quick step over to the sink.
Watch for Cheap or Free Exercise EquipmentLooking for cheap or free exercise equipment? Visit garage sales. After a weekend or two of going to garage sales in your area you probably could outfit your own gym for as much as it cost to buy one treadmill at a sporting goods store.
Exercises that Improve Your BalanceI was in a car accident and thought nothing was wrong with me. Wrong! It affected my inner ear balance. I am learning to walk using my heel, ball and toes. I march while turning my head from side to side, skate while turning my head or walk with one foot in front of the other.
Productive Ways to ExerciseExercising by itself is a good thing to do, getting something done while you exercise is even better. Here are somethings you can do that are both good exercise and productive. Post your ideas.
Stretches To Help ShinsI have recently joined the gym and although my body is getting rid of soreness and it is getting easier to exercise for longer periods of time, I have trouble with my shins cramping or getting tired before I barely break a sweat.
Excuse Proof Your Exercise Plan!We all do, even me. We blow off working out. We
don't have time. (That's my big excuse since having
a baby.) We don't like doing it. We're intimidated.
Or, it just doesn't seem worth all the effort.
