When we think of getting fit and healthy, itโs hard not to think of the physical and emotional investment this will take. It means getting out of bed early in the morning when weโd rather not, disciplining ourselves when necessary, and looking failure in the face from time to time, but then continuing on.
Yet it can also be quite worrying to think of the financial cost involved with getting fit, too. From body-hugging branded elastic clothing, to the best supplements, to a gym membership with an all-access pass, to investing in the best diet possible, all of this can seem like a real drain on your finances.
But does it have to be? Actually, no, you donโt really need any of that to get fit and healthy, outside of paying for the best diet you can personally afford (even then, cheap protein, frozen vegetables, and managing your calories is relatively inexpensive).
So, itโs more than possible to get fit and healthy for next to nothing, or to invest in practical tools that can save you money in the long run. Letโs see exactly how possible that may be:
Simple Workout Clothing
You donโt need the latest Gymshark (or similarly branded) clothes to work out well. Mostly, those brands offer aesthetics with limited utility, as while it may seem as though they store elastic energy to help you keep moving, this is pretty rare outside of thousand-dollar squat suits used by strongmen. If lifting weights or performing cardio, then, all you need is comfortably fitting shorts, a normal shirt that feels breathable, and a good pair of shoes you can rely on. Thatโs pretty much it, so donโt feel out of sorts if you canโt afford the latest and greatest designer wear. Working out properly doesnโt look too fashionable, anyway.
Long Term Equipment Investments
Sometimes, a โgood dealโ is not found in how cheap an item is, but in how much value it provides. Thatโs why, often, investing in home gym equipment that will last you possibly decades can be seen as a great investment in yourself. Free weights often fall in this category, because they are made from incredibly dense and reliable materials that, if well maintained, may last that long or longer. A great barbell, for instance, properly maintained and repaired when necessary (usually only in rare circumstances) can last 20 years, easy. Itโs not hard to see how this investment may pay off.
Simple Plans & Exercising
With the prevalence of online information out there, and plans like Starting Strength or Couch 2 5k you can follow (as well as the amount of form advice videos on YouTube), you can easily learn to work out and substantiate your training program without needing to spend on a personal trainer or personal guide at all. You can get fit without anyone โmanaging youโ or being paid to care for your progress (and in some cases, to keep you around). In this respect, a simple plan can work wonders.
With this advice, we hope you can see that getting fit and healthy doesnโt have to be expensive.
