Get Your New Year Health Kick Without Joining A Gym
Recent research has shown that around 15% of gym members sign up in January each year, but far less stick to their membership. Joining the gym can be superb for motivation to get off the sofa and make positive changes, but it isn't for everyone and there are lots of other ways you can improve your fitness without an expensive membership!
Walking
Free? ✅ Easy? ✅ Great way to improve your fitness level? ✅✅✅
According to the NHS, it is recommended that adults complete around 150 minutes of exercise every week - the good news is that brisk walking counts! As well as burning calories, a walk can help to increase your stamina and make your heart healthier. A brisk walk is around 3 miles an hour - if you can talk and walk at the same time but can't sing without getting breathless, then you're at the right speed.
As well as being free, you don't need any fancy equipment; any shoes or trainers that are comfortable, provide adequate support and don't cause blisters will do
Equipment-Free Exercises
Free? ✅ No equipment required? ✅
Fancy a personal trainer, but can't afford one? The NHS has a great Strength and Flex podcast which provides you with your own fitness coach for free! The virtual trainer coaches you through a series of equipment-free exercises designed to improve your strength and flexibility.
The workout instructions and pace are easy to follow to ensure you perform each exercise correctly and on time. The 5-week Strength and Flex plan consist of five 35- to 45-minute podcasts, which are available as a mobile download for MP3 players and smartphones here.
Couch to 5K
Free? ✅ Learn to run at my own pace? ✅
Couch to 5K (C25K) is a free running plan for absolute beginners. Running is great for weight loss, improving heart and lung function, strengthening bones, and giving you a general sense of wellbeing.
C25K involves 3 runs a week, with a day of rest between each and a different plan for each of the 9 weeks.
Download the C25K app here.
Cheap Gym Membership
Of course, if you are ready to join a gym, go for it! The benefit of on-hand staff full of helpful tips, tricks and fitness knowledge to help guide you through your gym journey is a no-brainer!
Why not try a cheap gym membership, such as Hussle? They are the UK's largest gym network with pay-as-you-go gym access
Simply purchase your pass for your preferred gym online and scan the barcode from your phone when you arrive. Even better, when you purchase your pass via Give as you Live Online you'll earn a whopping 9% for the charity of your choice >
What is Give as you Live Online?
Give as you Live Online is a FREE online fundraising platform that has raised over £31 million for UK charities just through online shopping. There are over 6,000 stores listed and over 200,000 charities available to support. Sign up, click through Give as you Live Online and raise free donations whenever you shop!
Offers, donation rates and participating stores are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change. Please visit the Give as you Live Online website for the most up to date information.
Ready to get started?
Start shopping today - just choose a charity, enter a few details and you can be raising in minutes.