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MeJoining a gym is often the place to start if you want to get fit, but the financial pressures caused by the cost of living crisis mean that for many Britons, spending large sums of money each month is not an option.
In fact, more than a third of consumers have abandoned fitness memberships for financial reasons, according to a study released this month. Generation Z and millennials were hit hardest, with half of 25- to 34-year-olds canceling memberships, and 56% of those aged 18 to 24.
However, the desire for fitness and participation in activities remains. Barclays data released this week showed sports and outdoor retailers had their strongest month since last March, with sales of gear and equipment up 3.5% in December.
According to a Barclays report, nearly one-third of people looking for a cost-effective way to get started with new solutions choose a “free” form of exercise, such as running or following YouTube workouts. is about to start Here we look at how to get healthy for free or at low cost.
look to your council
The council provides people with low-cost access to sports clubs and facilities. Many of the available are means untested. Some of these services are provided free of charge or for a minimal fee. For example, London’s Southwark Council allows residents to sign up for free swim passes that can be used at many of the borough’s leisure centers on Fridays and weekends. New members are required to provide proof of address, so a signup is usually required before joining.
Certain groups are also entitled to join additional classes and clubs. For example, in Northern Ireland, Mid Ulster’s ‘Active Lifestyle Program’ runs 1lb classes that include yoga, water aerobics, strength and balance. Some sessions are open to anyone, but focus primarily on children and young people with disabilities, new mothers and the elderly.
Welsh municipalities such as Conwy, Swansea and Wrexham have 60+ Active Leisure schemes that provide cheap access to local facilities for those 60+. This includes a free initial period.
Find an initiative
If you’re looking to get started in a particular sport, it’s worth looking for initiatives funded by Sport England, Sportscotland, Sport Wales and Sport Northern Ireland.
Tennis clubs are particularly enthusiastic about helping new members get involved in the sport. Free Tennis is offering sessions nationwide with all equipment provided (classes resume in the spring in most cases). It is also worth approaching the club directly.
Meanwhile, Skate Nottingham offers free weekly skateboarding classes for kids ages 7 to 14.
Some commercial brands also offer free sessions. Sweaty Betty offers in-store classes like yoga, barre, and Hiit (high-intensity interval training), but you’ll need to sign up for his Sweaty Betty membership, which is free. Locations include Islington, Brighton, York and Bluewater in Kent.
Brave the outdoors
Warm up and head to a local green space for some free or low-cost exercise.
Also keep an eye out for public ping pong tables, outdoor gyms, basketball and tennis courts. These are often free to use, but some charge a small fee, usually from the council’s website. Usually you have to use your own equipment.
If you’re brave enough to try open water swimming, you can save on swim passes all year round. Swimming on the shores and in the swimming pools is mostly free, but some of the more famous ponds, such as Hampstead in north London, charge a small fee (£4.25 or £2.55 for Hampstead at a reduced rate). Outdoor swimming groups and free information can be found at the Outdoor Swimming Society.
“Swimming is very cheap,” assures association founder Kate Liu. “You don’t need any gear. It’s okay to jump in with her shirt and pants on. You can go into more gear, but you don’t need any of them.”
Our Parks, a non-profit sports organization, also offers free classes at various parks around the country. Sessions include yoga, dance, pilates and fitness. However, if you can’t make it to the park, there are also various live online sessions.
Another option is parkrun, which hosts free 5km runs every Saturday morning in many UK parks. Also on Sunday morning is his 2km junior park run for kids ages 4 to 14.
For those who like to go at a slower pace, the Ramblers have hundreds of free walking routes across the country, as well as free wellbeing walks.
Virtualize
Virtual classes via apps, YouTube, and fitness platforms are probably the most cost-effective option, depending on your space and motivation.
The free NHS Couch to 5K running podcast is a popular option. The NHS Fitness Studio also has free exercise videos for Pilates and yoga, strength and resistance and aerobics.
Whether you want to get into Boxercise, Hiit or Zumba, YouTube is full of free access to sports coaching videos and exercise sessions.
The Better at Home app also offers 600 virtual free exercise classes.
get a gym trial
Interest in gyms often increases in January, and as a result, gyms often offer free trials at the beginning of the year. Consider whether you really want to commit to participating in . Some gyms offer free personal training sessions.
If you don’t see the free trial ad, please contact our team and ask if you can try before you buy. If that doesn’t work, ask a friend if they have a referral or if there’s a free pass to a nearby gym.
If you pursue a membership, check your contract carefully to make sure you are not locked into a reasonably priced long-term contract. Note that it will be cheaper.
On the other hand, if you have health problems, you may be able to get a free pass. For example, Everyone Active offers free gym passes to Parkinson’s patients.
get the gear
Avoid investing in expensive gear if you think your commitment to a new fitness regime might be shaken.
In the short term, ask friends and family if they can borrow old equipment like footballs, weights, badminton rackets, etc. Chances are, someone you know invested motivated by New Year’s goals and never used them again.
Ball maker Alive and Kicking owns a number of “soccer libraries” across the country where locals can borrow soccer balls for free.
Sites like eBay, Vinted, and Preloved Sports sell used sportswear and equipment. In many cases the item has never been worn.
However, be careful when purchasing certain items. For example, buying used riding helmets and other protective equipment can be dangerous.
If you are in Scotland, your child is eligible to receive sporting goods through the nationwide kit-for-all scheme. For example, in Aberdeen you can apply for sportswear through the Aberdeen City Schools.
For those who have made large purchases such as bicycles or e-bikes, there may be payment schemes that can help. National payroll sacrifice scheme Bike2Work saves taxes by allowing you to pay through your employer. The website has a calculator that calculates how much you can save.
Certain people may also be eligible for equipment subsidies.
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