9 Tips to Get Healthy While Saving on Fun & Fitness

Posted July 18, 2017

In Life Management, Managing Priorities, Tips and Tools

Is your own body a source of inspiration to you? Is it strong, flexible, and healthy? A positive body image is one of the most important aspects of happiness and well-being, yet it is an area which often seems to be a challenge for many. Creating strength, energy, and well-being through daily practices is essential.

When you got your first car, you were probably aware that you could replace it later. If someone had told you that this was the only car you’d ever have, you would most likely have taken better care of it than you did. Unlike a car, we only get one body. We cannot expect to abuse a car—or our bodies—and enjoy a long and productive life.

Here are some tips to help you stay active, while also saving money on everything from national park tours to gym memberships.

1. Visit a national park on fee-free days.

One-third of national parks charge an entrance fee. But for the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary in 2017, fees will be waived more days than usual this year. Check out the free entrance days here. By the way, July is National Park & Recreation Month!

2. Get free or low-cost passes to national parks.

Lifetime passes are free to anyone with a permanent disability and just $10 for those 62 and older. The passes also provide a 50% discount on camping, cave tours, boat rides or other amenities at some of the national parks. All passengers are covered when traveling in a vehicle with a pass owner.

3. Find a national park near you.

With more than 400 national parks, every state has at least one, so there’s a good chance that one is within a few hours from where you live. Search for a park near you at FindYourPark.com.

4. Perform body-weight exercises.

These exercises don’t require equipment, because your own body weight provides the “resistance.” These exercises can be done almost anywhere, even in small spaces. Examples include squats, lunges, jumping jacks and crunches. Check out this video demonstrating 13 Incredible Bodyweight Moves You Can Do at Home. You may also benefit from checking out these beginner bodyweight workouts and these callisthenics workouts, as well as how to get ripped at home without any equipment.

5. Use free fitness apps.

Do a search for “free fitness apps” and you will find a variety of options for yoga, walking, running, calisthenics and almost every type of exercise. You can easily take these workouts with you when traveling.

6. Join a gym in the summer.

Membership rates fall off during the summer months, so gyms often offer better deals to attract new members. Here’s an excellent article with 14 Things You Need to Know Before Joining a Gym.

7. Join a health or nutrition challenge.

There are many free challenges available online or in communities to help people get fit. Many provide online badges or other awards for motivation. Do a search to find a challenge that is a good fit for you and your fitness goals. These can be virtual or in-person groups (found through sites like MeetUp.com).

8. Participate in small-group training.

If you want a personal trainer, ask friends to join you. Many trainers offer money-saving training packages for small groups, and it can be more fun and motivating to work out with friends!

9. Attend free fitness classes offered by local retailers.

National and International chains like REI, North Face and Lululemon offer free instructor-led workouts at select locations for a variety of activities. This article provides information on more free fitness offerings.

If you’d like additional ideas for improving your health, check out my guide, 12 Daily Habits to Improve Your Health & Well-being. You can also find some additional helpful fitness tips at PositiveHealthWellness.com.

Did you find any particular tips that spoke to you among my 9 Tips to Get Healthy While Saving on Fun & Fitness? If you have additional tips to share, please comment below.