Hey beautiful,

For me, fitness is about far more than how I look. I know that after I’ve exercised I feel positive, I have more energy and I sleep better too. But fitness can be an expensive business! So here are my 5 tips for fitness on a budget:

1. GET YOUR OWN FIT KIT

Instead of shelling out for gym membership, I keep a stash of fit kit under the sofa for home workouts. What’s in my fit kit? Two of these 8kg dumbbells, a selection of resistance bands, a 12kg pink kettlebell and this yoga mat. I know, I know, this is all about being fit on a budget and my yoga mat is quite pricey, but I’ve spend years slipping around on other mats and this is the only one I’ve found that gives total grip. I’ve definitely found it’s worth the investment because I use this mat almost every day.

2. RETHINK YOUR COMMUTE

If you live in a big city, negotiating public transport and traffic is a daily headache. When I’m in central London I like to walk between meetings – walking is totally underestimated in fitness terms and of course it’s completely free. Research shows that walking is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy weight – Public Health England recommends just 10 minutes of brisk walking a day to stay fit.

3. GET A PT AT HOME – FOR FREE!

YouTube is the most amazing resource for whatever fitness you’re into. I love a barre class (this one is great for beginners) and I think Pop Pilates is really effective too. If you’re like me and the idea that you could work out any time means you constantly put it off, then put your training session in your calendar as like it’s a class you’ve paid for. I need that discipline to plan exercise and actually get it done. First one for your calendar: my 11-min Yoga For Abs and a Strong Core.

4. BUDDY UP

Instead of always going out for drinks or meeting over coffee and cake, I like to do fitness classes with friends. Who doesn’t love a healthy way to socialise? Two birds, one stone! I have to be honest, I’m not mad about HIT workouts, but I know high-intensity interval training is fantastic for fitness. When I go to classes with my friends at our local F45  I enjoy the session a whole lot more so it feels like money well spent.

5. RUN TO YOUR OWN BEAT

I love being outdoors, it’s so much more motivating than running on a treadmill! All you need are trainers (I wear a Californian brand called APL  because they’re incredibly comfortable) and a Shock Absorber sports bra t0 to hold everything together! While I’m not much of a runner, I definitely find that listening to podcasts helps my pace and endurance. Recently I’ve enjoyed Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place because it’s all about simple pleasures that bring joy to your day.

What’s your top tip for exercising on a budget? I’d love it if you shared your ideas too! Oh, and if you’d like to see more yoga classes from me on Instagram, pop over to my page and let me know.

Love, Madeleine xx