For healthy, fitness is about being active every day: to train our bodies, clear our minds and keep us well. The UK is ranked as the third most inactive population in Europe, so we want the nation to #justmovemore.
There are plenty of inexpensive yet fun ways to do it, so here are our top 10 ways to get personal-trainer fit on a run-round-the-block budget.
#Justmovemore and check yourself
Encouragement is great for helping us keep our goals. Finding a good fitness app will do the trick.
#Justmovemore and do the maths
If your gym’s yearly cost makes you wince, forget it. Clubs like Nuffield Health regularly offer day passes.
#Justmovemore and try no-strings
One study found pay-as-you-go gym-ers were more likely to use the gym after a year than those on a contract. Find deals at www.payasugym.com.
#Justmovemore and kit yourself out
Invest in decent trainers, a good sports bra, yoga mat, free weights and resistance band to train at home.
#Justmovemore and go online
The internet is awash with fitness videos – trendy ballet workout classes, Barrecore, can now be streamed on their site for a cost-cutting £4.
#Justmovemore and use your body
It’s your best bit of equipment. ‘Fitness Blender’ on YouTube has inspiring workouts and Davina McCall also endorses bodyweight training – a few minutes can have a big impact on your metabolism.
#Justmovemore – it’s the little things
Hit the high street for an hour instead of shopping online and burn over 200 calories – more if you walk home with the heavy bags.
#Justmovemore and rethink date night
Swap dinner for a dance class or evening exploring a new town on foot. Bedroom activity also counts: 90 calories an hour, says new research.
#Justmovemore and round up the troops
Children fall well below NHS activity guidelines, so let the young ones choose your day out, or lure lazy teens with the spook-tastic Halloween Fright Hike (www.fright-hike.com
).
#Justmovemore and make it fun
Extortionate gym fees are a negative incentive and won’t keep you going back for long. Before you sign a year’s contract, ensure you have positive reasons – maybe a fun new class or a workout buddy – to keep you going back.
Tell us your budget #justmovemore ideas on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. We’re all free to move every day, so no excuses!