Easy ways to get fit without going to the gym!

New year, new beginnings, but not everyone is bursting out of the house to the gym. It’s all about a personal journey. We’ve put together some tips to help you get fit without a gym, take that first step towards your fitness goals and being a healthier, happier you!

Walk whenever you can

Avoid taking the lift, take a walking meeting, get off the bus a few stops earlier, take a Sunday stroll or even take a walking tour of your city! As little as a 10 minute brisk walk is a great start to improving your cardiovascular health and burning off a few extra calories throughout the day.

Sign up for an obstacle course race

Obstacle races such as Tough Mudder, Wolf Run, Rough Runner and Run or Dye are becoming more and more popular as ways to get in shape, as they combine fitness and fun! While some training would help, most reasonably fit people will be able to tackle the courses without difficulty and let’s just say. It’s an exciting and fun way to workout!

Try a couch to 5K challenge

Running is the perfect exercise, it’s not only great for burning gas calories and tone up, but it also releases those ‘feel good’ hormones helping to reduce stress and anxiety. If you’ve never run before, try a couch to 5K challenge to build you up gradually with a mix or running and walking.

Buy some versatile home gym equipment

With a few basic weights you can have an effective workout without having to leave the comfort of your home. Adjustable Dumbbells, yoga ball and a jump rope are all reasonably cheap to buy and together can make the perfect ‘basic’ home gym. Skipping for cardio and adjustable Dumbells (we recommend the Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable weights) to add weight for working your muscles and a stability ball for strengthening your core.

Take a spin class

Spin is the perfect fitness class for everyone, you set the pace, choose to put in as much or little effort as you want and if you’re not feeling great you can take it easy and still have a great workout. One of the many advantages of spin class is the increased metabolic rate, push yourself to your limits and you will continue to burn calories throughout the day. Try Try ‘heat spin’ or HIIT spin for a higher intensity in less time.

Start Swimming

The most effective way you can exercise your whole body, swimming for 30 minutes at a steady pace you will not only get an ‘aerobic’ workout, but it is also a great way to tone up and trim your whole body.

Feel good from the inside out

Aim to eat five portions of fruit or vegetables a day, avoid the latest fad diet or ‘must have health product’ as they mess your metabolism up and cause more damage than good in the long term. Simply try to eat clean, cook from fresh and find whatever works for you!

Workout at home with YouTube

Fitting a workout into your busy schedule can be challenging, especially when it means having to go out of your way to travel to the gym and pack all your shit to take with you, that’s the beauty of home workouts, you can fit them in whenever you have a spare 30 minutes. Don’t waste your money on the latest workout DVD or App, Youtube has millions of free videos, search for Insanity, metafit or Grit as they are all ‘HIIT based workouts’ lasting around 30 minutes max and guaranteed to get you in the fat burning zone!