We don’t exercise because we have no time. We have no time because we have no money. To satisfy our basic needs for “financial security” and “quality of life” we work—often way too much. Many Edmontonians put in 40-plus hours a week in an effort to keep up with the capitalist machine constantly convincing us that we want—we need—more. But, I digress.

It’s not news the consequence of not managing financial and time constraints is an overall decline in health, while the people wielding the megaphone of the “fitness revolution” order us off the couch and into classes, training groups, boot camps, and fitness challenges. Myriad choices await—iyengar or Bikram yoga, strip cardio or kickboxing, the latest fusion class or circuit training.... The agenda is unmistakable: the more dollars spent, the better the booty.

But whatever happened to lacing up the old sneakers and hitting the pavement? The cost of fitness is free. People resist, though, because the real cost is time and energy. You actually have to commit to going for a run, instead of letting Club Fit auto-deduct from your bank account. With the proverbial bare-more-skin seasons coming up, I’m resolving to keep it simple. Get off the couch to play ball outside, take the stairs, walk the dog for a half hour.

But who am I kidding? Knowing that I don’t need a gym membership or fancy gear doesn’t always help me get out for a run in my holey sweats. Whether you’re in a $12/ hour step class or on a free bike ride in the river valley, you still have to put in the sweat, muscle, and sometimes tears. Accept the obvious: it’s hard. But a good place to start is by choosing activities that involve some good old-fashioned fun. 

So Get Started Already

Many community leagues offer free family swim days or evenings at pools, and free indoor and outdoor ice skating. (Check out efcl.org for more info.) Our city boasts one of the most extensive river valley trail systems in Canada—also free of charge! Get a ball, a Frisbee, or some winter mittens to make a snowman, and access these gorgeous resources. Play Wii at a friend’s house or take your spare change to the arcade for some Dance Dance Revolution. 

Throw caution to the wind and pull out the old Skip-It, Pogo-Ball, jump rope, or hula-hoop and go hard for 30 minutes. Don a sweatband, spend 25 cents on a retro workout video or borrow one from the library and sweat it out Napoleon Dynamite-style, the resulting laughter will be more than worth your while. If you’re gung-ho, host an outdoor group games night to play Capture the Flag, Camouflage, Ghost in the Graveyard, or Ultimate Frisbee. I’ve always thought glow-in-the-dark body paint and midnight tag would go well together. Pack a picnic and hike, ski, bike, rollerblade (or rollerskate—it’s making a comeback) to embark on your very own self-guided tour of your favourite city landmarks. The list goes on—the key is to get creative and get going.

For tips about better nutrition, access any of the oodles of free online resources—many sites provide services from meal plans to daily training regimens you can do at home, and send out daily workout or motivational tips. (To track your specific caloric input and output, check out www.fitday.com.) Many glossy fitness magazines offer free at-home exercises on their websites, and there’s a plethora of books at the library offering advice for every activity under the sun. 

Whatever you do, there are free fitness choices out there. Step away from the pressures of the booty industry and try something a little more liberating. And save the $160 you’d spend on Lululemon pants and pick up a pair of sweats at Army & Navy for $9.99. You’ll feel better, and so will your wallet.