Staying healthy and slim can save you a lot in health care costs in the long run. Luckily, you don’t need to spring for a gym membership. Here are a few cheap ideas to get started on the fitness train.
Jump rope: You can usually get these for under $10. There is a learning curve, so take it slowly to start. After a few weeks of practice for perhaps 20 minutes a day, you should be able to get a fantastic workout. I find jumping rope to be a very efficient workout as there is full-body intensity. I might only recommend against it if you feel the shock is too much for your knees due to weight or other issues.
Swimming: If you can access a local pool or body of water, this may be a viable option for you. Swimmer’s tend to have very lithe, fit bodies as the exercise burns a lot of calories and develops a lot of upper-body strength.
Shadow Boxing: You can pull up some videos on the on the internet and find a few combos to work with intensity, as well as pointers on technique. You could even spring for pads and gloves for a one-time investment without having to pay for a gym membership. Bodyweight calisthenics with shadow boxing as your rest period makes for a fantastic and cheap workout.
I’ll probably start mapping out more specific workouts that you can try.