The Truth About Budgeting For Fitness
Investing in personal fitness will never be a bad investment and gives a great return on your physical and mental health in the long run.
Start budgeting for fitness with what is available for FREE.
Ask yourself, what do you enjoy that’s physical activity?
Gardening
Cleaning the house/Car. (Check your step count before and after, you might be pleasantly surprised).
Going for walks. (In a park/walk route/near your home/near your workplace - find your favorite safe place to walk).
Volunteering for dog walking
Online workouts from home (We got you covered with complimentary classes)
Playing ball with kids (not just sitting on the side-lines).
Swimming in the ocean
Fixing up the yard
Maintaining your boat before you fish.
Budget Your Time
Every day doesn't have to be perfect. Wellness is always a work in progress and requires time, reflection, support, and collaboration. Review your current schedule. Aim for 150 minutes per week and specifically consider 2 or more days with strength and conditioning exercise to work out your muscles and cardiovascular exercise to keep your heart healthy. Plan time for flexibility and stretching for injury prevention too. See more from the WHO on activity time recommendations here.
Get Motivated To Get Value.
Growing your fitness tribe will enhance your commitment and value for money.
Commit with a friend, colleague, or group.
Surround yourself with positive wellness and fitness people to keep you motivated.
Our Zest Community has a variety of instant resources online for you:
Add a friend on Zest Wellness - chat about your wellness goals on the app.
Join a wellness group on Zest Wellness. Can't find a group that you're interested in? - Create one. Surround yourself with people of similar mindsets in your Zest Wellness Network.
Check your bank balance. Be realistic with your fitness intentions, and if you can’t afford, you can plan ahead and save!
Complete a physical budget and use Google for some template inspiration. When you know what you have to work with, consider these tips to stretch your fitness dollar:
Gym Memberships
consider how often you can go.
BUDGET for the membership, just like your rent.
Check out our perks program.
Does your employer have gym memberships or subsidies? Get busy and enquire.
FREE Virtual Classes: Check out our Zest Wellness classes.
Buying Equipment
Check out thrift stores, especially if you want to try something new like tennis or golf but don't want to invest in new rackets or clubs just yet.
Invest in comfort. Choosing sporting footwear based on comfort is important for sporting performance as well as injury prevention. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/20/1290
Do your research. Check out reviews before you buy. Consider borrowing a friend's equipment or renting equipment. Ask your fitness store if any sales are coming up and if the product will be included. Are there offers if you join with a friend or make a referral?
"Price per wear" is something that always resonates with me when I indulge in something expensive. Value for money can be individual. Ask yourself if its something you truly will get value from?
Home gym equipment - I'm a sucker for those adverts. You are lured in by the six-pack demonstrations. "I would use that all the time" kind of purchase - however, it's under your bed or gathering dust. You simply don't use it? Sell it! Get some cash. Shed some guilt and offset the money against something that will serve you better. Maybe a personal training session. Alternatively, find something that you will use or save money for a rainy day.
Personal Trainers
Personal trainers can be one of the best investments you can make in your wellness, and the best ones are worth their weight in gold. If a trainer will help you achieve your goals - figure it out! Save - set a budget. Figure out what you want. Sticking to your budget will make this enjoyable. Know a fitness school? Or a new trainer looking for reviews? Ask if students want to get practice for feedback. This is a great way to give back to your community and develop yourself at the same time.
