Exercise makes us happier and healthier. Often though, it can also make us broke, as a membership to a fancy gym can be quite expensive. Check out this articles to find out how to get fit without spending too much money.

I don’t think there’s any need to preach the well-known benefits of exercise. It helps you sleep better, keeps your mind sharp, and considerably decreases your stress. You know, besides lowering your risk for diabetes and heart attack. However, the problem with exercise and eating healthy is that some people view these activities as expensive. Let me break it to you: they’re exactly as expensive as you want them to be.

The truth is that spending money on fitness is usually acceptable; after all, you’re doing it to stay healthy and live longer. The downside? When you notice how much you actually spend in a given month to work out, you might be tempted to abandon your newfound healthy ways and trade your gym membership for a Netflix one. Nice workout clothes, classes, marathons that will “keep you accountable to a training schedule," personal trainers, fancy protein powders – they all damage your wallet. Which is a pity, since you could be getting great results without breaking the bank.

I never liked gyms. The smells, the machines, the plethora of people, the upbeat music – none of these inspire me to break a sweat. When I decided to adopt a healthier lifestyle and get in shape, I needed to find some alternatives. Luckily for me, there are plenty of ways to exercise without using any type of equipment and multiple tricks to stay motivated even when there’s nobody yelling at you to give them five more. Here are a few tips on how to get fit on a budget.

Exercise at Home

When I was in my early twenties, I used to pay for a gym membership monthly and never go. It was something I barely realized I was doing, and only gave up once I needed to truly cut back on my expenses. Managing money for the first time can be tough - I slowly advise you to read as much about personal finance as possible and get help if necessary. My financial institution, Workers Credit Union, has something called a Financial Fitness Program that offers clients free financial counseling, services, webinars and articles. See if yours doesn’t have something similar.

Back to the point, exercising at home can be just effective as going to the gym, if all you want is to get into shape or maintain your weight. The Internet has plenty to offer in matters of free workout videos and there are also apps you can use, depending on which you prefer. I’m a big fan of Jillian Michael’s workouts, and BeFit has some great ones. Plus, if you’re working at home, no fancy workout clothes are required – you can get away with a pair of sweats and an old T-shirt.

Find a Training Buddy

Who needs a trainer when your friends can encourage you and provide support? Find a training buddy and come up with a schedule together you’re both excited about following. You can hold each other accountable, not to mention the fact that there’s a greater chance to get out of bed in the morning and go for that run when you know that someone’s waiting for you. If you’re both really competitive, turn the training into a competition – find out who can run a 5K, do 100 push-ups, or hold a 3-minute plank first.

Get Motivated Using Social Media

Sites like MyFitnessPal can help you stay on the right track to achieving your goals, since the community is usually very supportive. For additional motivation, turn to social media. There are thousands of people online who use social networks and blogs to share their fitness progress and help others at the same time.

Make Sure You’re Eating Well

Exercising is great, but you also need a balanced diet if you’re looking to get into shape. If you don’t feed yourself properly, you will only be sabotaging your results. I know that organic food is expensive, but there are other alternatives to take advantage of. Fill up on veggies and protein, shop at the farmers’ market for in-season produce, buy unperishable products in bulk to save some cash. For more tips, take a look here.

The bottom line? Exercise doesn’t require you to spend crazy amounts of money. A gym membership is only worth its price if you’re planning to go at least three-four times a week. Otherwise, you will be just fine working by yourself. If you’re diligent, you’ll notice the results in no time.