Maybe it was the pandemic, or maybe you always hated the gym, either way, there is a huge influx of people who have decided to break up with their gym but still want to stay in shape. Historically it was ingrained in us that physically going to the gym was one of, if not the best, way to get, or stay in shape. While that fact is not wrong, people are discovering that there are many other ways to get their sweat on that do not include a monthly fee, gym-timidation, and waiting for the machine that you want for thirty minutes that you do not have.
Create a Home Gym
As with any other culture, fitness culture was not geared towards working out at home for the longest time. Large mainstream gyms as well as studio or boutique fitness studios reigned supreme for fitness enthusiasts. Lately though home gyms and working out at home have surged in popularity. People are realizing that there is a huge value on their time and being able to cut out the commute to the gym exemplifies that. Figuring out which pieces of equipment to put in your home gym can be tricky since budget and space need to be considered.
Once you determine the essentials that you need to get started, then think about how to purchase them in an order that makes sense for your budget. But if you are someone who does not want to wait and accomplish this project bit by bit, consider making the investment to get it all done at once. Your homes existing equity is a great place to get this quick cash because the rates are typically more favorable than a personal loan or a credit card, and unless you have the cash on hand out of pocket, a loan might be your only option. The home equity loan is making a comeback as housing values increased post-pandemic so think about that as a benefit of your investment as well.
Use an App
Fitness apps are amazing because there are so many available that you would be hard-pressed not to be able to find one that you genuinely love. These apps have started to replace gym memberships because people are learning that they can either use what they have at home or get outside in tandem with their app to achieve their fitness goals. These apps are quickly becoming the secret ingredients of better health overall, beyond just physical fitness. With offerings like meal prep ideas, sleep and meditation guides, and nutrient trackers, your smartphone can now do way more for you than a gym membership ever could.
Join Clubs or Teams
Your hometown newsletter or social media page is probably full of intramural sports teams that you can join that you might not have even knew existed. If you are sick of doing the same old thing at the gym every day, then team sports can be a great supplement. So in addition to your home gym workout with your adjustable dumbbells, clubs or teams are great for your health. And typically are low commitment in terms of time and money. They will also offer an element of socialization that gyms notoriously lack. Even if you know how to meet people at the gym that does not mean those acquaintances will carry over into the rest of your life. Once you enroll in one team or club you will likely find that there are many more opportunities to work on your fitness in this way simply through meeting new people and branching out from there.