The world of healthy living and lifestyle now has changed drastically over the years. There was a time when to stay fit, all you have to do is eat a balanced diet and run on the treadmill for 30 minutes or so. Today, healthy living comprises juice cleansing every month, paying for expensive gym memberships, subscribing to healthy pre-packed meals, and renting a rowing machine right in the comforts of your own living room.
While that is possible for those earning tens of thousands of pounds in a year, those in the average salary level cannot afford to live in London and spend on expensive home gym equipment. Fortunately, the city is so vast that it offers many options for healthy living. Aside from the fact that you can walk to and from work and all the other places you want to visit, its range of different restaurants—from hole-in-the-wall to Michelin-starred—will give you plenty of options to eat healthily within your budget.
London is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. There’s no beating around the bush on this one. Its diverse culture, rich entertainment sources, and fantastic sights that drive tourism to the roof make it a tough city to afford. Many Londoners have, in fact, move to the suburbs and left their lives in the city. But if you’re still one of those who are trying to make it in the city, don’t fret about staying fit because there’s plenty of hacks to do that without breaking the bank.
Hire a Trainer
If you can afford to hire the best personal trainers, then go for it. There’s nothing like having someone to watch over your weight management. One of the tricks to afford a personal trainer is to ask if you can go as a group. Invite some of your friends to train with you and split the bill. Of course, this is the most expensive trick on this list, but if it’s within your budget, then it’s your best option.
Take a Walk
London has great public transportation, but it is also a great place to walk in. Ditch riding the tube and bus and go for a walk instead. Many of these places are actually closer to each other than you think. There’s a map that tells you the exact walking time between stations on the same line. Find out what works for your schedule.
Ride a Bike
You don’t need to buy a bike. Rent one near a train station. That’s just a couple of pounds for 24 hours. That’s cheaper compared to taking public transportation. Plus, biking is a full-body exercise, which means you’ll be shedding off those pounds every morning as you go to work. You’ll get to see plenty of London, too, as you ride the bike around. Are you scared you might be all sweaty when you arrive at work? Bring a change of clothes with you to make sure you’re still as fresh as if you’ve stepped out of the shower.
Exercise in the Park
There are a lot of free fitness classes in public parks. Some teach yoga on Sunday mornings. Find a group in your neighbourhood that you can join. Some gyms also offer introductory classes at a reduced price. Take advantage of these classes. The best thing about this is that you will get to try different classes that will help you decide which classes best suit you.
Have Fun While Working Out
There are some cool new things to do in London to lose weight. You can go to a trampoline park and for just £12.50, jump on the trampoline for an hour. You will sweat so much that it will feel like you’ve run a marathon. There is a group fitness class, too, for just £10. That’s a fraction of the usual monthly gym membership fee. Invite your friends while you’re at it so that you can do both things at once—bond with your friends and stay fit at the same time.
Living in a cool expensive city like London is possible if you know how to live within your means. Make sure to keep a strict budget so that you’ll have enough for things such as getting fit and hanging out with your friends in a local pub at night. Staying fit, specifically, has been made easy because of the many options available for Londoners. If you know where to look, you’ll be able to stay fit without spending more than a couple of pounds.