Fitness in the Digital Age: Get in shape without breaking the bank

En español | From increasing your muscle mass to decreasing stress, there are dozens of reasons to get in shape. But if you’re like many people, there may be one thing standing in your way: the high cost of fitness.

Between gym memberships, specialized classes, and workout gear, costs can really add up. But rest assured, you can still get a great workout without spending a lot of dough. Fiscally responsible fitness is only a click away in today’s digital age. With the wide range of workout videos, calculators and other fitness apps available for download to your computer or smart device, it’s easier than ever to plug into fitness.

Your kitchen, a weight room

Yes, the place where you consume the most calories is also the place to burn them! Just open your pantry and take out a couple of canned goods to use as hand weights. By doing multiple repetitions with smaller weights, you can tone your arms and upper body. Here are a couple of simple exercises to try:

Bicep curls – Stand tall, contract your abs and hold a small weight in each hand. With arms by your side and palms facing forward, curl the weights toward your shoulders by bending your elbows.

Triceps kickbacks – Target that sometimes-jiggly triceps area with simple kickbacks. Hold a small weight in both hands and bend over until your torso is parallel to the floor. Bend your arms and pull your elbows up to torso level. Straighten your arms out behind you by squeezing your triceps muscles.

Start with 3 sets of 10 repetitions every other day and as your strength increases, up your repetitions.

Want more? Visit GainFitness.com to download customized workouts that you can do in the privacy of your own home. And get fit on-the-go with their handy iPhone app.

The library, your personal trainer

It doesn’t cost a thing to build your fitness brainpower. Personal trainers can cost upwards of $50 an hour. Instead, borrow or download workout DVDs and how-to fitness books from your local library. (For a list of popular DVDs, see the callout on the right.) By rotating through different workouts, you’re naturally creating “muscle confusion,” which keeps your whole body engaged.

Mix it up online. Check out Workoutz.com for a variety of free fitness videos from yoga to kettle bells. Easily accessible from your computer or mobile device, this website has more exercises than you could possibly do… but you can try!

The outside world, your gym

Who wants to sweat inside a stuffy, expensive gym when there’s a big, beautiful world out there? Especially during the summer, exercising outside can be ultra-invigorating. And you might just get a better workout, too. Studies comparing the exertion of running on a treadmill and running outside show that treadmill runners expend less energy to cover the same distance. That’s because the wind, hills and other challenges of running outside make your workout more intense.

Consider these hidden gems:

• Your neighborhood – Step outside your home and start walking, running or riding your bike! See how far you can go and keep it interesting by going a little further every week.
• Your local high school – Many high schools have tracks that are perfect for cardiovascular fitness. Plus, walking on a track is a great way to measure how far you’re going—and how much you’re improving over time.
• Your community – From bike trails to basketball courts to boot camps, your city or town offers many ways to get in shape and have fun. Check out the recreation department website for a list of activities and programs—many of them free or low-cost.
• Your house – Okay, it’s not exactly the “outside world” but on rainy days you can get a good workout without leaving home. After lifting your small hand weights (aka canned goods), run some stairs for 20 minutes or put on a workout DVD and work up a sweat.

Want to inject a little excitement into your workout? Download the “Zombies, Run!” app for iPhone and Android. This fun audio adventure will have you “running for your life!”

Still crave the modern convenience of a gym?

While it is possible to get a great workout without paying for a gym membership, you may just prefer the structure and ease of a gym. In that case, there are a few ways to stay fiscally fit while finding the facility that fits your needs:

• Negotiate – See if you can renegotiate your contract rate or if they have any special discounts available. Your gym may be willing to lower the price to keep you as a member. As they say, if you don’t ask, the answer is always “no.”
• Take advantage of discounts – Does your employer or health insurance offer any fitness benefits? You might qualify for a health club reimbursement.
• Get back to the basics – Forego the free towels and fancy spa services for a lower cost gym that offers cardiovascular machines, weight machines, and all the tap water you can drink.

Get your money's worth! If you have a tendency to skip workouts, download “Pact.” This app allows you to wager money on whether you’ll go to the gym. If you reach or exceed your goals, you earn cash!

Before you start any exercise routine, you may want to consult your doctor.