Mid-year slump? Try our budget-friendly fitness hacks.

From Pilates princesses, to run club cult members, gym bros, and CrossFit warriors. Fitness has become a fashion-focused, billion-dollar industry where people find themselves defined by the exercise they choose to partake in. But the price tag that comes with keeping up with the Joneses is hurting our wallets. 

Between gym memberships, pricey fitness subscriptions and activewear that costs more than your weekly grocery shop, staying fit can sometimes feel more like a luxury than a lifestyle.

For everyday Aussies trying to stay active without draining their wallets, here are plenty of little-to-no-money exercise options that still deliver real results.

Budget fitness can still be good fitness. 

The good news is a frugal workout is just as effective at moving your body and building strength as what you’ll do in an expensive fitness studio. Personal trainer Loz Antonenko says there are many ways to get definitive results without breaking the bank.

‘Let’s be real – staying fit shouldn’t require a second mortgage or a gym full of mirrors and muscle bros,’ Loz says. ‘It’s 100 per cent possible to get fit without the fluff.’

And, with chronic disease accounting for 9 in 10 preventable deaths – and physical inactivity being a leading cause – it’s essential that regular movement becomes a solid part of our daily lives.

Here, Loz shares her simple go-to hacks for budget-friendly fitness.

No membership? No problem.

Gym memberships can be great – if you’re really going to use it. According to research by Finder, Australians are wasting a staggering $1.9 billion each year on unused gym memberships. 

But if you’re looking for a place to work out without the commitment, Loz says a host of gyms and fitness studios offer cheaper introductory options, allowing you to trial different centres to see what suits you.

‘Free trials are like a fitness buffet,’ Loz says. ‘Rotate them like you’re speed-dating your workouts – there’s no commitment, but plenty of variety.’

If you make it through gym speed-dating and find ‘The one’ (you’re willing to pay for), many places have flexible options such as pay-as-you-go or class packs, so you’re not locked into a contract with hefty cancellation fees if you change your mind later.

Nature’s your gym.

Running, cycling and even walking are powerhouses for cardiovascular health, stress relief and mobility, and they generally don’t cost you a cent. Another option is to take advantage of some of the public exercise equipment many councils set up in local parks.

‘Just getting outside generally and going for a walk is a pretty simple way to increase your physical activity throughout the day,’ says Loz.

If that wasn’t enough enticement, a study from the National Library of Medicine found exercising outdoors can have higher benefits to our mental health compared to indoor activities. So, you’ll be double stacking those endorphins faster than you can say ‘spot me’.

Budget exercise at home.

Loz says you can pick up everything you need to smash a solid workout at home for under $100.

‘Many of my clients skip pricey gym fees and grab resistance bands, dumbbells, and even suspension trainers from affordable retailers,’ Loz says. 
Alternatively, hunt for second-hand gold.

‘Marketplace and Gumtree are treasure troves for kettlebells, benches and bikes,’ she says. ‘Why pay full price when someone else’s fitness phase can fuel your gains?’

Make YouTube your home of no-money exercise.

Whether you’re into strength, yoga, dance, cardio, or Pilates, Loz says there are a host of fitness trainers, herself included, who offer free online content to suit your vibe.
 
‘There are so many fitness creators out there who have paid subscription models, but also offer plenty of free content as well,’ she says.
 
‘My own 14-minute blasts have helped stacks of people feel the burn without spending a cent,’ she says. ‘I’ve got people who go back to those when they’re on holidays. There’s so much good, free content online.’

Joe Wicks or Yoga with Adriene are a couple of other popular trainers who offer structured online workouts without the price tag. For a higher energy workout try Popsugar fitness or BowFlex on YouTube.

Team up to stay on track.

Finding a fitness buddy you meet regularly for a run, walk or bike ride gives your workout a social vibe and is a great way to stay accountable.

‘Even the best fitness program in the world won’t work if people can’t stick to it,’ Loz says. But you’re far less likely to pull the pin if you’re meeting other people.

‘Accountability is the secret sauce for keeping your fitness routine on track.’

Join a club or group fitness.

There are a number of low-cost community sports options like social netball or tennis. Meanwhile, the popularity of local run clubs has exploded, and most either cost very little to train with or are completely free. You can find one close to you through platforms like Facebook or Meetup, an online search, or even good old-fashioned word-of-mouth.

And there’s always Parkrun – which, depending on the time of year, regularly sees as many as 80,000 participants nationwide each Saturday. 

‘Parkrun is a free weekly community 5-kilometre run or walk for people of all fitness levels held in hundreds of locations around Australia each Saturday morning,’ Loz says. ‘There’s a really encouraging, friendly atmosphere.’

Turn your commute into a workout.

Your daily commute is a great chance to weave extra movement into your day. Riding your bike or walking are handy options for those who live close enough to their workplace, but even if you’re catching public transport, there are ways you can capitalise on the time.

‘If you’re catching a bus or a train to work, you can always get off a couple of stops early and enjoy a brisk walk before starting your workday.’

Walk while your work.

Another handy hack Loz encourages in her clients is to look for ways to turn a passive activity into movement, something she refers to as a ‘habit trigger’. 

‘A great example is getting a walking pad and place it under a stand-up desk – it’s a total game-changer,’ she says.

‘For under $300, you could hit your step goals while replying to emails – and you’ll have barely even noticed it.’

If you’re back in the office and still trying to make the day count, could that next one-on-one meeting with your manager be a walk around the block together? 

Perhaps you pick that spot a little further away for lunch, or your afternoon coffee.

Whether you’re making the most of a free trial or jumping off the bus a few stops early to get in some extra steps, there are many forms of exercise that won’t require you to outlay a large amount of cash. It’s easy to keep your bank balance and your body healthy at the same time. 

Trying to save? Let ME do the heavy lifting.

Save yourself money, time and effort with ME's goal-oriented savings account, packed with smart features. Exclusive to the ME Go banking app.