FITNESS ON THE CHEAP: PART 1

I realize that not everybody can afford personal training, especially during these tough economic times. But that shouldn't prevent you from getting in shape. After all, exercise is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to improve the quality of your life. Nothing else even comes close. Can you name a single prescription drug that can help you lose weight, gain muscle, increase endurance, increase strength, increase energy, improve mood, improve posture, reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease, lower blood pressure, increase bone density, reduce cholesterol, combat depression, and add years to your life? Exercise does ALL of that without any harmful side effects--unless you do something stupid like dropping a dumbbell on your foot, or trying single-leg squats on a Bosu Ball while blindfolded. (To learn more about the benefits of exercise, specifically strength training, check out this link: http://www.fitnessandfreebies.com/health/top18.html)

You don't need an expensive gym membership or pricey home exercise equipment to start reaping the benefits of exercise. (Of course, membership at a good gym definitely has its advantages.) There are plenty of low-cost and even NO-cost ways to begin your journey to physical perfection, or at least your journey to a much healthier, happier you. In today's post, we'll take a look at a couple of ways to get fit without spending a penny.


Walking is great exercise, and it's completely free. You probably already have a comfortable pair of walking shoes, so just lace 'em up and walk! Start with a brisk walk around the block, and gradually increase the distance every day. Walking is a perfect way for sedentary folks to ease into a more active lifestyle. (To learn more about what walking can do for you, just Google the phrase "health benefits of walking.) If you're looking for something a little more challenging, consider putting together a workout with some good old-fashioned calisthenics and bodyweight exercises.


Pushups, jumping jacks, burpees, squats, lunges, step-ups, pull-ups, chair dips, mountain climbers, crunches, etc. don't require any special equipment, and you can do them almost anywhere. String a few of these exercises together in a fast-paced circuit, and you've got an effective, muscle-building, fat-burning, heart-pumping workout. If regular pushups and pull-ups are too tough, you can use one of several modified versions until you get a little stronger. Here's a good article on bodyweight workouts: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/basictraining.htm

In my next post, I'll describe a couple of low-cost exercise choices. Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CVFitness