Titus Perry
3/4/2025
Let's start off with the obvious, exercise can be challenging and possibly even expensive. There's such a wide variety of equipment to choose from and more often than not, it isn't cheap. This can turn some of us off to ever trying to tackle our health and fitness goals, especially when we are made to believe that it would take having access to barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, assault bikes, benches, etc. This does not include the increased cost of certain gym memberships on top of this.
The reality is... a lot can be done with minimal to no equipment at all. In fact, without proper skill and understanding of how to use these tools, they can be dangerous and do more harm than good. In some cases, less is more. Add to this how much time and money is saved by not having to commute to gyms or even buy a ton of equipment for your in home and outdoor workouts and these little to no cost options become a Godsent.
Here are some tips and inexpensive items to help you get started on your journey safely and squeeze the most out of the available time and resources you have.
Jump ropes
Jump ropes are inexpensive, costing as little as $7 in some cases, and you wouldn't have to sacrifice much if anything in quality since jump ropes are such a simple design and quite cheap to make. A jumping rope can be an incredible asset in boosting stamina and endurance for those looking for a lower impact cardio workout.
Ropes can be used in interval training, steady state cardio, developing footwork, coordination, and speed. Everyone from pro athletes, children, and those looking to just stay active can benefit greatly from this tool.
Running shoes
This is the most obvious and arguably the most necessary of all... running shoes. But be certain to find a pair that fits you well. Look for shoes with a wide toe box and minimal heel elevation, this will ensure more ideal alignment and balance and be closer to mimicking the natural movement patterns of the foot. I use Xero barefoot and Merrell minimalist shoes for trails runs, weightlifting, and even plyometrics.
These shoes won't have the cheapest upfront costs, though, they are incredibly durable, last a long time, and support foot, ankle, and knee health in a way that traditional footwear just doesn't. Look for what works for you.
Pull-up bar
The pull-up bar is one of the oldest pieces of equipment to exist in the world of sport and fitness. No matter where you may live, it is almost certain that any nearby park within walking distance has one. There you have it, a free pull-up bar. They are also easy to set up in your own home, either freestanding in your home gym, mounted on a wall, or inserted into the doorway of your bedroom.
Resistance bands
If you're looking for a very inexpensive option that still offers a ton of versatility, you don't have to look too much further. Resistance bands are great for warm-ups, working sets, and cool downs. They come in a variety of different degrees of resistance and are colored coordinated based on this. The bands can be used for assisted pull-ups, bicep curls, ankle dorsi/plantar flexion, shoulder mobility, and more!
Bands are also incredibly durable, long-lasting, and highly portable, perhaps more so than anything else on this list and that makes them worth their weight in gold.
Yoga mat
Simple and convenient. Yoga mats allow you to create a more comfortable workout space, especially when you have to hit the floor. The comfort and styling that these mats provide make them a worthy investment.
Gymnastic rings
For those looking to really intensify the difficulty and results of their training, this is the ultimate budget friendly tool to get your hands on! Many can agree that gymnasts have some of the best physiques in sports, and a big part of that can be attributed to their use of rings. This tool forces a greater amount of engagement from small stabilizer muscles that typically go unused in many other forms of training. These things will take any calisthenic movement that exist and increase the difficulty by 3-5x. They also assist in strengthening the soft connective tissues like joints, ligaments, and tendons. On top of this, I reckon nothing will develop strength and flexibility in your core quite like rings will. They typically cost $100 or less, last as long as 15-20 years or more (wooden rings especially), and can be used on anything from tree branches to pull-up bars and the like.
Final thoughts
Regardless of your situation, there is always an opportunity for you to take the steps needed to improve your health and fitness. Never allow yourself to be discouraged with thoughts that if you can't afford or have access to certain types of equipment or environments, that you're incapable of making great progress... there's countless ways to keep improving. Just keep fighting the good fight.
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