Staying fit and healthy can be quite an arduous task for many. It can also be an expensive lifestyle; with hundreds of dollars spent on fancy equipment that we don’t always know how to use, personal trainers who we grow to despise, and gym memberships that we rarely even use!

The fact is that we should invest greatly in our health and fitness. Our body deserves to feel strong and perform the tasks that we want it to. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that we need to take out a loan to cover our expenses. Here are three effective and free alternatives to working out at a gym:

 

Bush walking- What you need: comfortable clothing, sturdy boots or runners, backpack with water bottle, sunscreen, and hat.

This is an exercise that possess many benefits, not only physically, but spiritually as well. Being outdoors in the fresh air clears the mind and opens up the senses. According to BeyondBlue, bush walking helps to manage mild depression and even anxiety! When you are hiking through bushland or uneven terrain, your body automatically switches on your core muscles to help keep you balanced and stable. When walking uphill or downhill, your muscles tone and strengthen with every stride.

 

Stair Climbing– What you need: stairs at a beach, park or building.

Climbing stairs is a great activity if you really want to feel the burn and considerably boost your cardiovascular fitness! Depending on the number of stairs you climb, the slope, your weight and the pace you are going, stair climbing can burn a significant amount of calories. If a fast-paced, intense stair climbing workout sounds a little daunting, try including stairs in your everyday activity, rather than taking an elevator or lift. Even small changes to your day to day activity can make a big difference to your fitness!

Ocean Swimming– What you need: a safe, patrolled area of the ocean, appropriate bathers, goggles.

Aside from fitness, swimming in the ocean has many other benefits to our health and wellbeing. Humans feel a strong connection to the ocean; being a part of something so natural and so large is a very powerful experience. For many, the ocean is a place of reflection, of relaxation. Under the water, there is a sense of solidarity, yet the awareness of so much life surrounds us. Swimming is an all round body exercise. As it is non-weight bearing, it is fantastic for people with injuries or who are over-weight. Swimming particularly works your arms, shoulders, back, legs and core. The most popular stroke to do in the ocean is freestyle, however sidestroke and breaststroke are good for when swimmers become a bit fatigued.

All of these activities can be done either on your own and/or with a workout buddy or group! They are designed to be outdoors so that your senses are stimulated and your body receives fresh oxygen and sunlight. Enjoy!

 

Article by Heidi Greig.

Heidi Greig is a 25-year-old Melbournian with a passion for all things health and fitness. Coming from a background in modern dance and now enjoying the benefits of Reformer Pilates, Heidi is well –aware of the importance of regular, heart rate rising activity for a balanced and happy life!

 

For more ways to move the body head over to Move + Fitness