According to SkyNews, 2025 is set to be another high-cost year for Brits.
Energy prices, council tax, food costs and housing are all elements that are set to make 2025 an expensive year. And with wages unable to keep up with inflation, households are feeling the squeeze.
As part of this, people all over the UK will be looking for ways to cut costs, and cancelling memberships is certainly an option that they are likely to explore. Given the average gym membership in the UK is between £40-£50 per month, with higher rates in big cities, this is an expense that many will look to curb.
The good news is that staying fit doesn’t mean you have to spend tons of money on a membership. In fact, now more than ever there are tons of apps, programmes and gadgets that can help you keep fit on a budget.
Let’s explore them.
Free Apps To Help You Stay Fit
Couch to 5k
Couch to 5k is a free app that does what it says on the tin: it gives you a roadmap to help you build up to a 5k. Perfect for beginners, the app takes note of your ideal workout times and then creates a routine specifically for you.
It starts by alternating jogging and walking, slowing building up the jogging periods and reducing the walks. The app can be used in the background of others including AppleMusic or Spotify, so you can listen to your favourite music and podcasts whilst you run.
Perfect for beginners and 100% free, it’s a great way to boost your fitness whilst also getting some fresh air.
YouTube
Before streaming platforms existed, YouTube was the place where fitness influencers would go and video at-home workouts. There are thousands of videos available from creators, all explaining how to get fit from home – with many of them not even needing equipment.
If you do want to do some weights as part of this – get creative! Things in your house like water bottles, bags of sugar and household items might have the weight that you need, without requiring you to splash out on expensive gear. 100% free and with tons of variety, it’s definitely a great resource for anyone looking for an affordable fitness routine.
Like YouTube, accessing content on Instagram is totally free. If you’re someone that just needs a bit of inspiration, then it can be a great tool. Start by looking for fitness influencers online. Then, review their content and look for ones that post workout routines.
All you need to do then? Do them yourself! Sometimes you don’t even need to follow a video, just a few instructions to help you work out your entire body.
Some of our favourites include:
- Kayla Itsines @kayla_itsines
- JenSelter @jenselter
- Joe Wicks @thebodycoach
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JEFIT
JEFIT is a fitness app that has both a paid-for and free version. Whilst the free version is good enough, the paid version is only $12.99/month – much cheaper than a gym membership.
The app gives users full-body exercises to help them achieve their fitness goals. Whilst a lot of them are designed to be used with gym equipment, it can also be done at home with everyday objects. With over 1,400 exercises and thousands of pre-made routines, it’s a great tool for anyone looking to have a personal trainer in their pocket.
All Trails
Not all exercise has to be inside. In fact, the UK is home to some amazing hikes and trails that can help you get your heart-rate up, without spending a penny.
All Trails gives users free access to hundreds of outdoor trails across the UK, created and rated by other nature lovers. This not only helps get you outside more, but can allow you to explore more of the UK and the amazing nature it has to offer.
Low-Cost Fitness Items
Weight Set
Whilst you might not think this weight set is super cheap, it costs around the same as a monthly gym membership – except you only have to buy it once.
That means you could save yourself over £400 a year by buying this instead of investing in a gym. The set comes with a variety of weights, allowing you to strength and muscle train up to 15kg. It’s a great option for a family who has multiple weight needs, or someone looking to invest in some training at home.
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are a great way to build strength and flexibility – not to mention they’re cheap AND they don’t take up much room.
These resistance bands come in 3 different levels and can be used for strength training, pilates, yoga and any other indoor exercise. Not to mention they cost half of what a monthly gym membership will push you back.
Push Up Board
If you’re looking to build up ab and core strength, then a push-up board might be the right piece of gear for you. These come with adjustable handles that can help you support your wrists and arms as you do press ups.
And costing less than £15, it’s certainly worth the price.
Ab Roller and Skipping Rope Set
If you want help with cardio, this set is perfect. With an ab roller, resistance band, skipping rope, hand grip And knee pad, it’s a great set for building up a home gym. Not to mention, it’s very affordably priced, meaning it definitely won’t break the bank.
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