Why You Don’t Need A Gym Membership To Stay In Shape

When I was a teenager, I was under the impression that in order to stay in shape, a gym membership was required. I made use of my gym membership frequently throughout my high school years, and after a while, I became aware of the hefty price tag that accompanies a gym membership. Don’t get me wrong, gym memberships are not necessarily a poor investment, however, considering you’re being charged a rather astronomical amount of money for exercising, and in some cases, a shower, I came to the realization that it would be far cheaper to simply work out in the comfort of my own home.

Thus began the process of researching at-home workout videos via YouTube and my attempt to mimic these tutorials to the best of my ability. It was challenging at first, considering I have the grace of an elephant. However, I eventually became comfortable with doing burpees and jumping-jacks in my living room. I actually found myself more comfortable exercising in my home than I had ever been at the gym. Exercising with other people or in the presence of other people can be an incredibly daunting task. If you’re comfortable with this, I give you significant credit, but for those of us who resemble an intoxicated giraffe at the gym, figuring out an exercise regime that is doable in your own home can be a wonderful alternative.

I personally created a workout routine that does not require any equipment, making it a double whammy in terms of saving money. I no longer am paying for a gym membership, nor am I having to spend money on exercise equipment. That being said, the average exercise ball at Wal-Mart retails for around $25.00, and a set of five-pound dumbbells retails for roughly $15.00, therefore you are definitely able to find some basic exercise equipment that does not destroy your wallet.

I do my at-home workout every morning, and it takes me thirty minutes to finish it. Here’s what I do:

LEGS:

(1) 60 squats

(2) 60 lunges (30/leg)

(3) 60 calf raises (up and down)

(4) 60 calf raises (side to side)

(5) 60 bouncing squats

(6) 60 side-to-side toe-touches

(7) 60 backward leg raises (30/leg)

(8) 60 donkey kicks (30/leg)

ABS:

(1) 60 second plank

(2) 60 side-to-side crunches

(3) 60 leg-drops (legs together)

(4) 60 alternating leg-drops

(5) 60 toe-to-floor leg drops

(6) 60 toe-to-floor alternating leg drops

(7) 60 toe-to-the-sky raises (pelvis thrust upwards)

(8) 60 cross-fit sit-ups

ARMS:

(1) 60 wall push-ups

(2) 60 cross-jabs

(3) 60 forward jabs

(4) 60 cross/forward jabs combined

(5) 60 arm circles (small circles, 30 forwards, 30 backward)

(6) 60 speed-bag circles (30 forwards, 30 backward)

(7) 60 elbow squeezes OR 60 shoulder blade squeezes

(8) 60 bicep curls

(9) 60 tricep squeezes

I also ensure I walk at least 10,000 steps a day, and owning a Fitbit has definitely made this task easier. I received the Fitbit Alta HR model last Christmas and it has quickly become a necessary staple in my own fitness routine, aside from walking, I do not engage in any cardio, but if cardio is something you wish to incorporate into your workout routine, running your neighborhood trails is just as effective as running on a treadmill at the gym, and, quite honestly, the scenery is arguably better.

By no means am I suggesting that gym memberships are useless, but I am suggesting that working out at home can be just as effective. At-home fitness is completely doable, and if you’re on a budget but want to get into shape, YouTube fitness videos will soon become your best friend.

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