Keeping yourself and your wallet fit

It’s not hard finding a workout that’s also free

Heather Gardner’s 2009 move from Hamilton to Toronto came with a few adjustments — her workout routine among them.

A longtime athlete, Gardner had gotten used to running with a group in Hamilton, which offered her a sense of community and a way to exercise for free. When she moved to Toronto, she started running on her own to stay active amid a job transition that kept her at a desk all day.

“I was running by myself, and I was like, ‘I wonder if anyone will join me,’ ” she recalls. “So, I sent out a tweet. I was like ‘Hey, anyone want to go for a run? Meet me at this place, at this time.’ And people showed up.”

Before she knew it, her running crew had amassed a citywide following, which she eventually turned into a workout studio called Tribe Fitness.

Gardner acknowledges how expensive working out can be in the city and says it’s important to her to continue to offer an affordable alternative for people who may not be able to afford hefty gym membership fees. In addition to running paid spinning and yoga classes, Tribe Fitness continues to offer free group runs several times per week.

Running groups such as Gardner’s can be found across the country, and athleticwear retailers like Lululemon and the Running Room also hold regular group runs. Other organizations like November Project offer the same, but with a focus on strength training, while apps like Sweatabl, which lists free local workout classes, make finding all of the above easy.

However, that’s not to say that outdoor workouts don’t require any up front costs. Equipment such as footwear and performance apparel are necessary elements of the operation.

When shopping for workout clothes on a budget, remember that the process is as affordable as you make it. While it’s easy to spend more than $100 on a pair of leggings from a premium brand like Lululemon, a pair made with similar quality material would be closer to $30 from Old Navy, Winners or another discount retailer. Buying them second hand from Facebook Marketplace or from a trading platform like Bunz will save you even more.

If group workouts don’t fit into your schedule, home workout videos may be a better option. YouTube channels like Popsugar Fitness and Yoga With Adriene offer free workout sessions that target specific muscle groups, while apps like 7-Minute Workout offer the same, but in mobile format.

If you go this route and have a few extra bucks to spend, a yoga mat and a set of weights are worth the cost.

You can also add weight to your workout using household items, says Jordan Bishop, athlete and founder of Torontobased personal finance startup Yore Oyster.

If you’re set on joining a gym, triple-digit membership fees aren’t necessarily a foregone conclusion. The YMCA and discount chain LA Fitness offer competitively-priced memberships that hover around $50 a month, while Hone Fitness charges $15 biweekly.

The most budget-friendly workout choices are the ones you stick to: So, when committing to a fitness plan, make sure it’s one that fits into your existing routine.

“Fitness should not be something that is hard or overwhelming for you,” Bishop says. “You want to make it as easy as possible for yourself to win.”