6 Astonishing Alternatives to a Gym Membership to Get Fit

Let it be said, at least starting out, that there is nothing wrong with a gym membership. If you have the cash to shell out and the willpower and self-discipline to keep the routine going and not waste your subscription, then by all means do get a gym membership. Thing is, not all solid options are great options across the board. The notion that one must join a gym to get fit is slowly creeping past the limit of side-talk into the expansive reality of mainstream chatter. However, this could not be further from the truth. It is indeed possible to become fit without gym membership. In fact, you still get to keep your money, derive more fun out of shedding pounds, and you can totally adapt whichever activity (yes, you have options) you choose to your eccentricities. With that out of the way, let’s get started on six surefire ways to get fit without a gym membership.

1. Perform Bodyweight Exercises

A barrage of fancy new workout equipment models make their way to the store shelves every now and then. They are impressive in every sense of the word, but you’ve got a workout equipment that does not have durability issues and is just as impressive—your body.
You have likely never thought about your body this way. Still, there are a plethora of bodyweight exercises that you can take advantage of, from the more popular pushups to the specialized leg extension crunches. The best part is you get the same benefits of better cardio, stamina, and body build while retaining the convenience of being able to do these exercises anywhere… Literally anywhere!

2. Take A Walk

Most of us are familiar with the fast-rising ritual of taking a jog in the morning. Thankfully, you do not need to get jogging pants, running shoes, a headphone, and/or a Fitbit tracker to become fit. You can simply step into some comfy clothes and footwear, open the door and be well on your way to awesome aerobic benefits. You needn’t go on a long trek either. A mere 20 to 30 minutes of walking each day is sometimes all you need to start getting the ton of benefits that good exercise offers. This leaves plenty of room for adaptability. You can choose to explore an excellent walking trail or take a stroll around your neighborhood. To spice it up even more, you can take your pet along or tag along with a frien, or some peers for that extra kick of adrenaline and fun.

3. Try Out Trekking

To be fair, walking can be a tad boring for some of us. If you fall into this category, then you might be interested in an activity that provides a much-needed kick. Trekking fits the bill and is a step up from walking. Basically, it is fast-spaced walking that involves traversing obstacles and walking up and down hills. As a result, you exert more energy and engage in a more targeted workout activity. Trekking targets your abs, extremities and core. Therefore, if you happen to reside in an area with differing terrain, you just found a reason to explore the scenery and get a huge health perk as an add-on. Stretching before and after trekking adds some benefits of its own, too.

4. Use A Roller Blade

The activity goes by different names—commonly rollerblading or inline skating. Regardless, it is extremely effective. In fact, walking, trekking, and running all trail behind inline skating in terms of how many calories you burn. Remarkably though, it leaves minimal impact on your bones and joins while still providing varying levels of cardiovascular benefits. You can also fine-tune the intensity of the workout. Aside from good cardio, you also benefit from having toned muscles.

5. Heard of Longboarding

A longboard is a cross between a miniaturized surfboard and a skateboard. Longboards come in different shapes and configurations. However, you can use them to gain envious cardio benefits. In recent years, longboards have garnered quite a following. You need not be bothered about the different styles of longboarding. You only need to get one, step on it, and away you go. In addition to the benefits from the exercise itself, with the most prolific being building up impressive levels of stamina, longboarding is actually a cool activity you can use to unwind.

6. Pedal To The Medal

Okay, rule out a Tour de France scenario from your mind. Have you done so? Great! Bicycling is a great way to become fit. You could choose to engage in a leisure;y ride around your block, or get on the open road for an excursion, or be adventurous and explore wild trails with your mountain bike. Biking styles differ and all of them offer a laudable and potentially fun-filled way to get the immense benefits of exercise we all crave.

In a nutshell, going to the gym is all about exercising and using high-tech machines to derive immense health benefits. However, that is not the only way to gain these health benefits. Exercise is a simple activity. Whether you are training on a treadmill or engaging in trekking in the lush countryside, at the core what you are doing is exercise. The important thing is to get off of the couch and on your feet. By undertaking any of the activities in the list above, you can also avail of the oft-understated benefits of getting out into the open and exploring breathtaking scenery.