Why You Don’t Need The Gym To Keep Fit

By Dr. Charles-Davies, a medical doctor with 25 Doctors.

The idea that you have to go to the gym if you’re ‘serious’ about losing weight or keeping fit is not true.

It is relatively common to see people give excuses for not having a gym around them or not being able to pay for a membership as their reason for not exercising or being fit.

The honest truth is that even though there are benefits of going to the gym regularly, it is not a necessity if you really want to exercise or lose some weight. Here are some reasons why you may not need to go to the gym, but seek alternatives.

1. It is cheaper

Gym memberships can be quite expensive, and you can save yourself a lot of money every month if you explore other fitness options outside that room.

2. Exercise can be done anywhere

Your body does not need a room full of big and expensive exercise equipment before it can be gotten into shape. Exercise can be done anywhere, and if you are creative enough, you can do many workouts that are similar to those done in the gym right in the comfort of your home.

3. It can be more effective

When you don’t depend on the gym for your fitness, you can maximize other spaces like your bedroom or sitting room. The reason why these can be more effective is that you really don’t need to be all dressed in ‘gym clothes’ or need to walk down or drive a distance to get to a location, you can do it barely clothed, natural, unbathed and at any time. So, your exercise routines aren’t limited to when you have time to drive to a location.

4. You have your privacy:

In your home, you are yourself, you aren’t trying to impress anyone, or pretend to look in shape to start working out. You won’t have other people stating their opinions of how you look or how flat or big your tummy is, you can work hard on your body without bothering about others.

There are many options you have, and we will be exploring how to get in shape without going to the gym shortly.

Now that we have mentioned the positive sides to working out away from the gym, let’s look at strategies you can use to keep fit without going to the gym.

How To Get In Shape Without A Gym Membership

1. Do a lot of walking:

Walking is a very important part of being healthy. It is perhaps very underrated but super-effective. Taking a stroll of a few miles per day does a lot to help you burn calories and keep your cardiovascular system in shape. In an interview with Insider, celebrity fitness expert and nutritionist Harley Pasternak explicitly stated that walking is the most effective way to lose body fat.

Also, if you work in an office with staircases, you can choose to avoid the elevators but use the steps up and down. It is a basic form of fitness, you’ll actually burn some calories.

2. Start with basic tools:

You don’t need to start with the best stationary bike, treadmill, rowing machine or elliptical to become fit, you can start with simple tools like a skipping rope to do some cardio. This can be particularly useful if you can’t afford to buy this equipment or don’t have much space for them in your home. You can start with a mat to support your body, basic pillows and weights to assist you when you exercise at home.

3. Watch YouTube videos:

If you are looking for some inspiration or workout routines to get the body you desire, you can simply open YouTube and watch a certified fitness coach teach you all you need to do. Videos are one of the best ways to learn anything, and with YouTube, you can watch from your smartphone, tablet or computer without paying a dime.

4. Get Indoor exercise equipment:

If you really want to take home exercises a step further, you can get yourself exercise equipment. These devices are built to assist you to achieve your fitness goals, and they may not be too costly. If you have some space in your home, you should consider getting these. For instance, recumbent exercise bikes are very useful for cardio, they don’t stress your back, buttocks or arms, you simply cycle while sitting down. Some even come with a desk, so you can be cycling on the bike while working or your computer or reading an article.

Conclusion:

Going to the gym can be helpful, but is not mandatory in attaining your fitness goals. You actually should not use a lack of proximity to the gym as an excuse for not being physically active.

Instead, you can use some of these proven strategies like using simple tools, walking and watching internet exercise videos to help you stay fit and ultimately, healthy.

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