Keeping Fit Frugally

Keeping fit in these frugal times is not as easy as it should be. I love the gym, yoga and pilates, but going to classes in London can cost between £50 to £140 a month.

Hula hooping, Lishi and other such exploits look like fun but they all come with a cost. And we all know why swimming is simply not a viable option.

So what can you do to keep fit in London this spring without spending a fortune?

Go online. Some online programmes track what fitness you’re doing and give you menu plans and exercise routines which can be really useful.

www.thinqfitness.com This exercise video subscription service offers toning, cardiovascular, relaxation, holistic, dance and weights routines. Full monthly membership costs £4.99 for unlimited downloads, or you can pay per video at 99p each.

www.pocketpt.co.uk Virtual fitness expert, the Pocket Personal Trainer assesses your fitness levels and goals, creates a personalised programme, offers step-by-step videos and monitors and adapts your programme as you progress. Diamond membership costs around £12.99 but they’re also offering a ‘Freminum’ service, which gives you the basics for free.

www.feelfit.com  This site uses a points system to help you track your fitness – like WeightWatchers for working out. You can get points for general exercise as well as for daily tasks like walking to the tube, climbing stairs, doing housework, shopping and having sex! It even has an iPhone application and Twitter feed.

Fighting the dust around the house helps fight flab too. www.vax.co.uk has a good guide to how domestic chores can help you work off your lunch:

Vacuum cleaning and mopping the floor = 40 calories
Cleaning windows = 35 calories
Dusting, ironing and washing dishes = 30 calories
Cleaning out the fridge = 26 calories.

But if you can’t get online then you could also join a running club. Many London running clubs organise group runs in local areas for next to nothing. It’s cheap, socialable and safer than running alone. So with the warmer weather approaching here are a few clubs to check out across the capital:

Clapham Chasers
www.claphamchasers.co.uk – Clapham Common

Dulwich Park Runners Running Club
www.dulwichparkrunners.com – Dulwich Common and local sports centres

East London Runners
www.eastlondonrunners.org.uk – Wanstead Park

Heathside Running Club
www.londonheathside.org.uk – Hampstead Heath

Highgate Harriers
www.highgateharriers.org.uk – Parliament Hill

Mornington Chasers
www.chaser.me.uk  – Regents Park and the north London area

Serpentine Running Club
www.serpentine.org.uk – centrally based, Seymour Leisure Centre and Hyde Park

Wimbledon Windmilers
www.windmilers.org.uk – Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park.

Image by Fieldus courtesy of Flickr