5 of the most budget-friendly ways to get fit

In a bid to prove that getting a better body needn’t leave you broke, Share Radio’s consumer champion Georgie Frost gives the lowdown on 5 of the most budget-friendly ways to get fit.

Whether you’re meticulously counting the pennies or just wanting to save up for that luxury holiday, fitness can seem a daunting task to anyone without a bottomless pocket – which, quite frankly, is the majority of us. With the rocketing price of many gym memberships, and health foods and supplements costing a small fortune, it can sometimes seem like you need to take out a mortgage just to stay in shape.

But good news! Getting fit doesn’t have to cost the Earth. Check out these fab five top tips to help you drop the pounds without dropping your dollar.

1. Get gym-savvy
Don’t blindly follow your friends to the most fancy gym there is – chances are there are cheaper options that are just as good. Check out what’s in your area before committing, and take advantage of deals like free guest passes, or LA Fitness’ five-day free pass. Many loyalty systems also offer discounts on leisure centres – for instance, with Nectar Swim you can swap your Nectar points for a pass to your local pool.

2. Fair-priced fashion
Those leopard-print, anti-sweat, ultra-cool £200 leggings might seem tempting, but nowadays there’s really no need to fork out for the most expensive kit. High-street shops have really joined in on the activewear craze so you can look the part without splashing the cash. If you have a budget for new gym clothes, it’s worth spending the majority on a well-fitting pair of running shoes to minimise the chance of injury, and then going for bargains for the rest of your kit. We love Missguided’s range of sports bras, and the bright and colourful tops from Primark are super on-trend.

3. Get ‘appy
So, now you’re in all the gear, take inspiration from some fab apps. There’s no need to spend £60 an hour on a personal trainer – 21^st century technology can do it all for you, and for a fraction of the price. For weight loss, MyFitnessPal is the tried and trusted way to keep a track of calorie intake and exercise, and is completely free. Alternatively, the Nike running app is a fantastic little bit of kit to download to your phone to log runs and help motivate you for that next marathon. Who doesn’t want to be congratulated through their earphones when they reach their PB?

4. Exercise at home
Get inventive! If the weather’s too grim for that evening run, why not stay inside and make your own circuit, consisting of stair climbing, squats, star jumps and burpees. If you have limited space, check out ‘prison cell press-ups’ (press-up, knee in, press-up, knee in, jump to standing) – so called because they are a great whole-body workout for the smallest of rooms. Alternatively, if you find it difficult to motivate yourself, browse charity shops or eBay for cheap workout DVDs – and remember to check out cashback sites like Topcashback.co.uk.

5. Get on your feet at work
In conjunction with the British Heart Foundation, 2015 sees the launch of the Get Britain Standing campaign, to get people up on their feet at work. It’s amazing the benefits standing for just two more hours a day can give to your body. Simple things like taking phone calls on your feet or organising standing meetings can help get your whole office get fitter and healthier. And why not go the whole hog and pile up some books to make a stand-up desk?