Military spouses are a busy bunch. There is a lot that goes into our days: kid’s schedules, spouse’s work and training, plus either running a household or working outside the home. In the hustle and bustle of life it can be easy to put staying physically fit on the back burner. However, personal fitness is something that each of us needs to make time for and make a priority. Just by getting 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week we can increase our energy levels, lighten our moods, and extend our lives. Commercial gyms are often pricey making joining and impossibility for some people. Here are some easy and cheap ways to sneak some fitness into your life today:
1. Check out your installation gyms. Every post or base has some sort of gym that is available for family members and is free to use. Some installations offer child-care at their gym and others often have a “kids in sight” kind of room where you can watch your children while you work out. All of these gyms are jam-packed with cardio equipment and weights for your use. Many also offer discounted personal training packages to help you jumpstart your fitness journey.
2. Check out your MWR website. Most installations have different run/walk events throughout the year. Using an app/program like “Couch to 5K” can help make participating in one of these events a reality. There is something special about crossing the finish line at your first race.
3. Take a fitness class. Like offering gyms, many installations have fitness classes available for spouses to take. Sometimes these are free and other times there is a small, yet reasonable, fee involved. This is a great way to get a group of friends together and go participate in step, boot camp, or yoga!
4. Join MeetUp.com. Meet Up is an awesome site that helps connect you with preexisting groups. While many spouses use this to find play-groups for our children, there are also fitness related groups available.
5. Start a walk/run club of your own. Gather your friends and make a date each week to walk or run together. Every installation has either a track or some sort of jogging trail available for use. Strap the kiddos into a stroller and get moving. Working out with a friend not only helps motivate you, but makes the activity that much more enjoyable.
Regardless of what tip you end up using, start making fitness a priority in your life today!
What is your favorite way to work out? Do you have any tips to add?
Madeline G. is a healthy-living blogger at Food, Fitness, and Family where such blogs about just that: healthy eats, sweaty workouts, and life as a family of three. he is an Army wife and mother to a beautiful 10-month-old baby girl. She loves to hear from YOU so check her out on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.
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Thanks for having me! :)
Great post, Madeline. Some excellent options here. I definitely took advantage of the on base gym and also running/walking the base. Knowing that I was safe and secure (probably the safest I could be anywhere!) made for a perfect opportunity to get in some activity.
I agree! I feel a lot safer on the installation :)
I follow Groupon and similar sites. They have great deals to try out various gyms and classes on the cheap. You're not committed to anything so it's easier to try things out without being financially committed. Plus, you meet new people, and get to try lots of fun stuff.
That is an awesome idea!
I workout at home with DVDs and my own free weights.
LOVE working out from home too! Great tip :)
Such an important group to reach with frugal tips! I had not thought of a Meet Up. Great idea.
SO TRUE! Love this comment. Thanks for sharing :)
UMM SAY WHAT?? How do you go about getting one??
This deal is dependent on where you live and the YMCA region you are using. At Joint Base Lewis McChord, for example, the local YMCAs h. ad a program in partnership with the base that gave out a certain number of free memberships every year to military families. Then they abruptly canceled the program when DoD pulled the funding. They also offered a discount if your spouse was deployed and a different one if you were a military family with your servicemember at home.
But that series of discounts isn't offered at our new duty station, for example. Every Y is different so check your local region to see what discounts they offer.
This is true! I lived in Charlotte the first half of my husbands deployment while he was stationed at camp lejeune, which is 4 hours away, & was able to have a free YMCA membership being his spouse. It did require me to be there at least 8x a month or else it would expire but it was awesome & totally worth it. You just have to show his orders & fill out papaerwork!