5 Ways To Exercise For Free

Happy Monday everyone and how are you all? Did you have a good weekend? To get you motivated and ready for another week ahead this lovely Monday we are talking to health and fitness expert Becky. We have already heard from Becky when she talked to us about healthy breakfasts and about Yoga. Today she is giving us some helpful hints on ways to exercise for free!

I’ll pass you over to Becky…………..

We all make excuses for why we don’t exercise- with a few exceptions (generally very fit people!) And most of the excuses are just that: excuses!!
I’m too tired, I haven’t got time, I can’t afford a gym membership, I feel rubbish about myself, I don’t want anyone to see me exercise…….
Here are some ideas for exercising for free in the UK. Not only are they for free, but they can also be fun, and they can be worked into your daily lives. I hope you find at least one that inspires you!

A final thought – it is common to overestimate what can be done in a week, but underestimate what can be done in six months/year. Imagine how you will be/feel in six months’ time if you start moving a little more regularly from today. Make exercise a part of your life.

Walking

Walking is such a simple form of exercise that everyone can do. I believe that walking should be part of daily life. Plan your daily/weekly route to work/to the shops to include a 10-30 minute walk there and back. Breathe deep and taste the fresh air. Walk as fast or as slow as you want, just get started and enjoy it. As you get fitter you might decide to walk faster! Regular walking really does help with weight loss, and helps keeps the heart, lungs and bones healthy!

Cycling

This is only a free exercise if you already own a bike, or can borrow one, but that will count a lot of people in. Have you got a bike that sits in the shed? I use my bicycle to go the shops, to go to work, and to go to the park. I don’t always use it. Sometimes it’s really cold and I’d rather use the car, but honestly, when I choose the bike I’m so glad I did! I love the feeling of freedom that a bike gives you, – it’s that feeling you had when you were a kid and you were allowed to go off on your bike with your mates – it’s the wind on your face, the road whizzing by beneath you!! Honestly, just go out for a 5 minute whizz to the local shops, buy yourself a treat, and whizz back, you will see what I mean!

Wild Swimming

This is something I adore. If you’ve never tried it, you must find time this summer to give it a go. Take a look on the internet and find a wild swimming location near you. It could be a lake, a river or the sea. Pack a picnic, a towel and warm jumper/socks just in case. If it’s a little cold – it is the UK – then just be brave! I promise you will feel alive when you come out – and I mean really alive, it is an amazing feel good exercise. If it’s really cold you might just take a quick dip. The afterglow will be worth it! If it’s not too cold, practise your swimming! Exercise is about moving your body, and getting your blood pumping – this will do that!

Household chores

What can I say about this – cleaning, gardening, washing, sweeping, hoovering – they are all free, all very important to daily life, and they get you exercising. If you want a harder workout do some digging in the garden or clean the car by hand!

Playing with family and friends

My final free exercise is one most people should really consider more. When was the last time you went out at the weekend with your friends and family and played together? Race each other along the beach, play football, set up a game of rounders, play hide and seek in the woods, fly a kite on a hill, run up and slide down a sand-dune, do cartwheel competitions in the garden. As adults we can lose our sense of fun. Instead of going to the gym next Saturday morning, take the kids outdoors and play…

Remember, you can start with as little as 10 minutes of exercise a day and if you feel like doing more, do it, if not stop, and do another 10 minutes tomorrow. Exercise does not always have to be an hours intense workout, we don’t all have the time or the inclination to do an hour 5 times a week, but 10 minutes here and there add up and can do wonders for your body and mind. Have fun.