3 Free Alternatives To A Gym Membership

If you're looking for a free alternative to a gym - we've got them here! Gym memberships are becoming more and more popular. Particularly around the first of the year gym membership skyrockets. But joining a gym doesn't come without its drawbacks. Some people don't like the "gym culture". Still, others prefer working out in the outdoors. But one of the greatest inhibitors to a gym membership is its cost.

According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, the average gym membership in the US costs $58 per month. That comes out to a grand total $696 per year.

As you can see, a gym membership can be expensive! And that doesn't include additional fees such as class fees, childcare and other services that gyms tack extra price tags on. Extra fees can include sign up costs, annual membership fees and more. Gym costs can quickly add up and skyrocket.

So what is the answer? If your budget is tight, or gyms aren't a good fit for you - what is the alternative? Luckily, Keylock has outlined for you 3 free alternatives to a gym membership.

Outdoor Gyms

One perfect free alternative to a gym membership is an outdoor gym. Outdoor gyms are becoming more and more popular attractions for parks and other public areas.

An outdoor gym is stationary equipment that is located in a park or other public area that acts like gym equipment such as an elliptical or pull up bar.

Medium.com writes about outdoor gyms saying that,

"The outdoor gym is now a worldwide phenomenon. Exercising outdoor became especially popular after the Chinese government launched a fitness campaign prior to the Summer Olympics in 2008. Adult playgrounds were placed in parks and on beaches, initially in order to reach the ageing population. Other governments soon realised the benefits of providing such training facilities free of charge, as accessibility and price are the main barriers for people who want to exercise.

The rationale for government-funded outdoor gyms has its roots in The Nudge Theory. The main idea behind this concept is that subtle changes in government policy can incentivise people to do things, which are in their own interest, without actually giving them direct orders to do so."

An outdoor gym is a perfect solution to someone not wanting to cough up the cash for a gym membership. Especially if you live in a warm climate and can take advantage of an outdoor gym year-round.

Outdoor gyms are usually pretty impressive in the array of equipment they offer and locations are usually in prime areas. The best part is - they are completely free! Calisthenics-parks.com is a website that maps outdoor gyms in the US. Go there to find a gym near you.

YouTube Free Workouts

One of the best things to come out of YouTube is the nearly endless amount of free workout videos! So if you're looking for a free alternative to a gym check out YouTube yesterday! High-quality exercise content can be found across multiple channels on YouTube. These videos are vast in their scope and variety but most cater to working out at home with minimal or no equipment. And of course, they are 100% FREE!

We've highlighted a few of our favorite workout channels below:

Yoga - Yoga With Adriene

Pilates - Blogilates

Bodybuilding - Bodybuilding.com

Sculpting - Amanda Russel

Overall Workout - Adam Rosante

Dance - The Fitness Marshall  

Cycling

Cycling is a great alternative to a gym membership. Most people have a bicycle already and if you don't have one, there are great second-hand options to be found on places like Craiglist and Facebook Marketplace.

But once you have your bicycle (and any kind of bike will do) you have access to 24-7 constant and completely free exercise! The horizon is your only limit!

Harvard Medical School published 5 benefits of cycling on its webpage. They said,

"1. It's easy on the joints. When you sit on a bike, you put your weight on a pair of bones in the pelvis called the ischial tuberosities, unlike walking, when you put your weight on your legs. "That makes it good for anyone with joint pain or age-related stiffness," says Dr. Safran-Norton.

2. Pushing pedals provides an aerobic workout. That's great for your heart, brain, and blood vessels. Aerobic exercise also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's feel-good chemicals—which may make you feel young at heart.

3. Cycling builds muscle. In the power phase of pedaling (the downstroke), you use the gluteus muscles in the buttocks, the quadriceps in the thighs, and the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in the calves. In the recovery phase (backstroke, up-stroke, and overstroke), you use the hamstrings in the back of the thighs and the flexor muscles in the front of the hips.

Cycling works other muscles, too. You use abdominal muscles to balance and stay upright, and you use your arm and shoulder muscles to hold the handlebars and steer.

4. It helps with everyday activities. "The benefits carry over to balance, walking, standing, endurance, and stair climbing," says Dr. Safran-Norton.

5. Pedaling builds bone. "Resistance activities, such as pushing pedals, pull on the muscles, and then the muscles pull on the bone, which increases bone density," says Dr. Safran-Norton."

So grab your bicycle and get pedaling! This all-body workout is good for the mind, body and soul and is totally free. Why go to a cycling class in an expensive gym when you can enjoy the outdoors for free?

We hope these 3 free alternatives to a gym will help you in your workout journey. In addition, you can visit Keylock Storage Blog for more interesting articles about organization and lifestyle: keylockstorage.com/blogs