Under the Median: Ten Easy Ways to Get Fit for Free

1. Walk

Doctors tell us that walking for 30 minutes at least five days a week will go a long way in helping keep our body fit. You can walk inside or outside. It doesn't matter. What does matter is that you keep moving! If the temperature is over freezing, then you'll find me outside on the walking trail, which is a mere 1/2 mile from my front door. It's actually one of the things which drew us to our new neighborhood.

But, if the weather is lousy, no worries. Just plug into any one of the plentiful fitness videos on Youtube. Here's a link the one that I frequently use.

The best thing about walking is that it literally costs no money! You can take along a friend, a spouse, or one of your children. For years now I have said that one of the reasons I have kept such a close relationship with my four sons is that they each get a turn walking with Mom during the week. It is amazing what a 16 year old boy will tell you while taking a trek through nature!

2. Jump Rope

I loved doing this as a girl. As a very grown woman, I have found that it takes more energy and coordination that I remember. It's a great workout and once you buy your rope, your investment is over!

3. Community Clubs and Classes

Some community clubs offer open exercise evenings for very reasonable rates. There are several in our town, with amazing equipment and entrance fees for $10 or so for three hours one evening each week. Taking a weekly class can add an element of accountability. Park district classes often come in right about that $10 per week price too!

4. Bike

When we were saving to pay cash for our second home, my husband rode his bicycle to work whenever possible. Although we were only three miles from downtown, our home was situated on top of the bluff. That means that the ride to work was literally downhill all the way. But, that very elevated trek home got his blood pumping. His blood pressure dropped to a very healthy level and he lost weight!

Now we live just 1/2 mile from a walking/biking trail. Yes! It was one of the things that sold us on our new neighborhood. This photo of my husband and our youngest son was taken in late December. When the temps reached 40 degrees, they took off for a nice ride together.

5. Take the Stairs

This is an often overlooked element of a free exercise program. Stair steps use very different muscles than just ordinary walking. Experts tell us that we need to combine different types of exercise for a well-rounded program. Taking the stairs whenever you can might be just the ticket!

6. Local Parks and Exercise Paths

Local parks have play gyms for the kids, but they also often build exercise circuits, with different strength-building and flexibility exercises featured at each "station". This can be really fun to do as a family!

The Land for Public Trust organization has an amazing program called Fitness Zone. Here is the description straight from their website: "We all strive to be healthy and fit. But for many Americans, finding a place to exercise can prove more of a challenge than the workout itself. The Trust for Public Land's Fitness Zone® program provides free outdoor fitness equipment in local parks—often in neighborhoods where gym memberships are too pricey to be practical." I love it! Check out the interactive map on their website to see if there is a Fitness Zone near you.

7. Strength and Endurance begins at home

Watch PBS! They have a variety of exercise programs, which are aired weekly. Tuning in each week can feel like meeting with good friends. PBS is actually how I learned to cook, mostly because I felt a connection to the chefs and felt like they were invested in teaching me a new skill. These exercise programs work exactly the same way! So, check your local listings and see their current offerings of programs designed to help you get healthy!

You also have no excuse for not doing strength and weight training! YouTube has you it all covered! Here's a link to a video which explains how to do strength training for free! If you don't have hand weights, you can use canned food as your weights.

8. Do the yard work!

In winter we shovel snow, while more seasonable weather brings with it weeding, gardening, trimming, and mowing. It all burns calories and your home and yard look nice when you get done! It's a win-win!

9. Practice Yoga

My friend, Andrea, can bend her body into nearly any position.Her flexibility is astounding and she accomplished it all with Yoga! She assures me that she started with little coordination. I have nearly none! Seriously! So, here's a website, which allows you to stream Yoga lessons for free! There are three different levels - beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

10. Bounce on a rebounder

We had one of these cool mini-trampolines for years! When my boys were younger it helped burn off steam on long winter days. Just don't let them jump too high if your basement ceilings are low. Ask me sometime how I know this fact. LOL! These trampolines can be a little expensive, but we got ours at a second-hand store and I have repeatedly seen them at garage sales. So, check around.