How to be healthy on a budget: start with these free exercise ideas!

​Most of us are aware that exercise should be incorporated in our busy schedules if we want to lead a healthy life. Guidelines recommend a min of 30 min of daily moderate exercise (something that increases your heart rate).

Exercise is often viewed as something "too expensive" to be included in daily routines, and that's true if we look at gym memberships, swimming pools, clubs and classes... 
And if you include the fact that eating healthy is also more expensive than eating junk food (on this note I believe something really should be done by higher authorities!) - it may seem that healthy lifestyles  are not affordable! 
But let's have a look at ideas to exercise for free :

• The great outdoors offer a great and free area to exercise, whether is for a run or a brisk walk in the local park, or maybe you are lucky to live near some natural reserves. Winter coming? Cold? No excuses just wrap up warm - there is no bad weather only bad gear! 
• If you live in a city running is still possible. Early morning or late evenings are the best times in my opinion as traffic is low and less people in the street likely to get in your way or look at you (especially daunting when you are a beginner runner or maybe the day you just don't feel like it) 
• If you really don't have time then make sure to walk for your errands rather than drive or take the bus, walk briskly (you have to save time, right) and carry your groceries or other shopping for added upper body bonus - just make sure to get some sturdy bags with nice handles to avoid hand pain! You can always cheat with a backpack - still carrying extra weight - or maybe alternate so you get a back day and an arms day ;)
  
• Similarly if you own a bike why not use it to commute? 

From the bootcamp in Bergen op Zoom!

• Or if you are just unmotivated to do it on your own look for the free events, you will be surprised but there are many. Parkruns are a great way to get into running for example. I recently found a great free bootcamp in Bergen op zoom, and love their philosophy of doing it free so people can afford an healthier lifestyle! You can find more info here if you live in the area. And use social medias as your tool - start liking fitness pages and you will soon see some great events pop up and who knows some of them might be free! 
• Trying the bootcamp reminded me that anything out and about can be useful when it comes to fitness - that little stone wall? Great for steps or jumps, that bar? Perfect for some pull ups - and that swing? Great for some planking with added balancing component...

So - no more excuses - get on your gear and get out!!!