Get your workout fix for free!
With gym memberships costing on average between £30-£50 per month, keeping fit can end up being very expensive and over a year, you could be paying around £600 plus any joining fee or extras for classes that are not included in your membership.
If you enjoy working out but do not want to pay the monthly membership fees, there are some other options that you can try instead.
Here are some of the free fitness options that you can find in the Liverpool area:
Parkrun
Parkruns are free 5K running events that take place at locations around the UK and are run by volunteers. People of all running abilities meet up each Saturday at 9 am to take part in the event for free. The emphasis is about going at your own pace, with some participants walking or jogging, so it is not just for elite runners.
In Liverpool, you can join in Parkruns at Princes Park, Croxteth Hall, Birkenhead, and Knowsley. The events are also a good way to meet new people in your area.
Couch to 5K
Another running option that will keep you motivated is the Couch to 5K running plan that involves 3 runs per week. This aims to build up your distance over a nine-week period.
You can download the Couch to 5K podcasts to your phone and you get a coach to give you encouragement while on your run.
FitOn
You can use this app for free (although there are some premium features), and it provides online classes such as HIIT, strength, yoga and cardio and there are some celebrity trainers that can help to keep you motivated.
Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer
This is another great free app that you can use for home workouts. There are hundreds of different exercises to choose from and you can also choose a specific area of your physique that you want to work on.
Cycle or walk to work
Instead of driving to work or to places that are local to you, try walking and cycling more often. As well as helping to get fit, you can save money on fuel, and over the course of a year you can make a considerable amount of savings.
Free gym passes/trials
Many gyms offer free trials or gym passes, allowing you to use different gyms on a trial basis for a few months to get your gym workouts without paying the membership fees. Additionally, you might be able to get free gym passes using Tesco Clubcards and similar loyalty schemes.
Outdoor gyms
Local authorities around the UK provide outdoor gym equipment that is free to use. The equipment can include bikes, cross-trainers and lots of other gym machines that are set up in parks for anyone to use. Try and find one that is local to you.