Hello SavvySavers! We hope you enjoyed the first instalment of our two part ‘health and fitness’ money saving tips last month where we focussed on ‘Healthy Eating on a Budget’. Continuing with our health and fitness theme, this month we’re focussing on ‘Getting Fit on a Budget’ to include tips on improving your fitness without breaking the bank!
Part One – Eating Healthy on a Budget – HERE!
Part Two – Getting Fit on a Budget…
So who doesn’t want to feel amazing? We all want to feel good, right? More energy, glowing skin, clothes that fit… but when you see the cost of some of the exercise classes and workout gear, it’s easy to feel like getting fit is a luxury rather than a basic human right. But here’s the good news – you can absolutely smash your fitness goals without emptying your bank account.
Here are our SuperSavvySavers tips to get you started on your budget fitness journey…
- Join an Online Fitness Class!
The internet is overflowing with FREE fitness apps, websites, and videos, most of which you can do at home (or in the garden!) so they’re convenient too. If you want to try yoga, pilates or a cardio session or a danceworkout without leaving your living room… the internet has the lot!
Whether you’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast or a complete beginner, there’s something out there for you. We’ve scoured the internet to find some of the best FREE online activities and we’re excited to share them with you. So, ditch the guilt, embrace the convenience, and let’s get moving!
Here is a handful of some of the bestFREE exercise, fitness and activity links that we’ve found online (more listed on our website HERE):
👟 NHS Fitness studio – Exercise guidelines and workouts to help improve your fitness and wellbeing for all ages and abilities – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/
👟 ClassPass – over 4,000 free on-demand online workouts in HIIT & strength training, cardio, yoga, barre and more – https://classpass.com/try/home-workout-videos
👟 Couch to Fitness – feel fitter bit by bit with this free fitness programme you can do at home – https://couchtofitness.com/
There are lots more ideas over on our website www.supersavvysavers.co.uk
- Use an Outdoor Gym!💪🏋️♀️🌳
If a fitness class isn’t your thing, or you’re more outdoorsy… try one of Guernsey’s amazing outdoor gym facilities. Did you know we have some amazing ‘park gyms’ around the island? Think of them as playgrounds for grown-ups where you’ll find all sorts of fantastic gym equipment. And the absolute best part? They’re completely FREE!
Saumarez Park is the largest and newest of the park gyms here in Guernsey offering various pieces of equipment. The outdoor gym is conveniently located opposite the children’s playground, so it’s great for parents and grandparents to use whilst the kids are busy playing!
Delancey Park offers several pieces of outdoor exercise equipment although much of the outdoor gym is currently being renovated and only a few pieces of equipment remain. The gym equipment is located next to the children’s play area, over by the outdoor bowling green.
Styx Community Centre also offer outdoor gym equipment. The equipment is located within the children’s play area positioned to the left of the main Styx community centre building.
- Get Walking!
Walking is a fantastic, accessible, and often overlooked form of exercise with lots of benefits for both physical and mental health. There are various local groups and clubs you can join that are either free to access or available at a small fee. Here’s a couple…
Ramblers Well Being Walks are suitable for anyone who wants to get a little fitter with a group of like-minded people. Walks are free and take approximately half an hour, ending at various cafés where walkers are able to sit down for refreshments and a chat. Further information and Join for Free is available here – https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/wellbeing-walks-groups/ramblers-wellbeing-walks-guernsey
The U3A Walking Group offers several monthly walks of varying degrees of difficulty. The U3A is aimed at people who are retired from full-time employment and you will need to be a U3A member to take part. Further information at https://guernsey.u3asite.uk/u3a_groups/walking
Visit Guernsey offer 43 self-guided walking routes which are available on their website. All 43 walking routes are also detailed within the Visit Guernsey App. If you haven’t yet checked out the App, you should! It’s a fabulous handy resource and it’s FREE to download.
Lots more walking resources over on our webite at www.supersavvysavers.co.uk
- Get Running!🏃♀️
Running is BIG here in Guernsey! There’s loads of clubs and fun-runs you can get involved with like the Guernsey Parkrun every Saturday morning, or you can join the elite and head out on the coastal GU36 (a gruelling 36 mile run of the cliffs and coastal paths!). Or choose to simply head out on your own, in your own time, at your own pace! That’s the joy of running… there are so many options and opportunities.
As far as sports go, running is one of the most affordable you can do, you just need a pair of trainers and off you go. Although you’ll likely soon catch the running bug and before you know it you’ll be using a fitness app to track your miles and heart rate and building your play list! A couple of great FREE Apps including Strava to track your route or BBC Sounds to listen to free music and podcasts. There’s a list of recommended free running Apps over on our website.
Getting into running is relatively easy and anyone can do it. There are lots of running programmes available, but the best we’ve found for beginners is the NHS Couch to 5k. You’ve probably already heard of it, millions of people have done it, and that’s because it works!
Couch to 5k can get you comfortably running 5k in as little as 9 weeks OR you can take as long as you want with it, and actually never reach 5k if that’s not your goal, you can just repeat the walk/run interval sessions and do whatever makes you feel fitter and happier.
Just getting out and about in the fresh air and walking or running for however long you want is what this App is all about. And that’s why we love it! 💖
Further information and download the App for FREE HERE.
- Take up Sea Swimming! 🏊♀️
Sea swimming (also known as ‘wild’ or ‘open’ swimming) is hugely popular here in Guernsey and there are many brave locals who enjoy the experience all year round. Some are hardened, die hard sea swimmers who can just stroll straight into the freezing cold water as if they’re stepping into a warm bath, whilst others wrap themselves up in neoprene. Well bobble hats off to them, I’m shivering just thinking about it!
But the benefits of sea swimming are huge, offering a wide range of benefits for both physical and mental well-being. It’s not just a chilly dip, it’s a full-on wellness experience! And did we mention, it’s FREE!
La Vallette Bathing Pools is probably the perfect place to start your sea swimming adventure. It offers a safe and contained area for salt water swimming, suitable for the whole family! The facilities including changing rooms, hot showers and panoramic sun terrace which are available to use free of charge. There is also an on-site café and event space.
Visit Guernsey have compiled a fantastic list of 45 wild swimming guides which allow you to find your ideal swimming spots across our islands depending on weather conditions, location and tide times.
The swimming guides are available on the Visit Guernsey website and within the Visit Guernsey App! The App is really good, really handy to have on your phone and it’s FREE – Download it now!
Sea Swimming Resources…
There’s some great FREE resources available online including technical advice and training plans. Here’s a couple to get you started (more over on our website) –
The Great North Swim – 1 mile open water training plan (free download HERE).
The Outdoor Swimming Society – Swim Couch to 5k – a 7 week programme to get you swim fit. Free to download HERE.
Join a Swim Club or Group! …
As you can expect within our friendly little community, there are various local groups and clubs you can join, mostly for free or at a small charge and all are friendly! Guernsey Swim all Seasons is a local community of swim enthusiasts of all abilities who aim to take dips all the year round, no matter the season. You can join their Facebook group to connect with a swim buddy, share stories or join in group swims.
There are more sea swimming tips and information over on our website!
- Join a Gym!💪🏋️♀️
If you do fancy joining a gym we have plenty of options available locally all with something slightly different to offer. Being part of a gym community can provide valuable support and motivation. You can connect with like-minded individuals, participate in group activities and seek guidance from experienced instructors.
The gym you choose will very much depend upon your personal requirements. I recently opted for Beau Sejour’s Freedom Membership as it was not only excellent value, it had everything I wanted from a membership all included with unlimited access to the gym, all exercise classes, swimming and more.
The standard monthly cost for a Freedom membership is £54 (discounted if you choose to pay a one-off annual fee) but at SuperSavvySavers we pay just £49 per month with our SuperSavvySavers discount. Anyone is welcome to join our corporate group! Simply quote SUPERSAVVYSAVERS on your new member application form and save yourself £60 per year! 🥳
Find more information and download an application form on our website HERE.
Read more Budget Friendly Tips to Improve your Fitness in the extended version over on our website at supersavvysavers.co.uk 👍
If you missed the first instalment of our two part ‘Health and Fitness’ money saving tips, you can catch up on part one ‘Healthy Eating on a Budget’ HERE.
