With times still tough and money certainly tight, everyone is cutting corners wherever they can. But living on a tight budget doesn't mean sacrificing one's physical fitness.
Obesity levels are on the rise, so consumers should pay attention to their well-being like they would to their financial health.
According to the World Health Organisation, obesity rates in the Middle East have risen three-fold or more since 1980, due to people's poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle.
Luckily, one doesn't have to pay a high price for cutting the flab out. There is no need to run to the cosmetic surgeon, or subscribe to expensive fancy fitness centres either.
There are a lot of wallet-friendly alternatives to costly gym fees and weight loss medical procedures.
Belle Perez, a Filipino expatriate, came up with a smart way to get rid of her flabby belly. Last year, she joined a popular fitness centre in Dubai. Six months went by and she was not happy with the results, and the monthly fees only put a big dent in her purse.
She decided to ditch the gym and follow the path towards frugal fitness. Instead of exercising with weight machines and sweating out on treadmills, Perez thought she would get better results by running around Safa Park for 80 minutes every day. After the first week, she lost six kilos.
She also invested in a pair of dumbbells to complement her extensive cardio workout. And on weekends, she trudges down Jumeirah Beach where she does kite surfing sessions for free, courtesy of some generous friends.
At the end of the day, Perez smiles at what she has achieved: a healthy body and about Dh6,000 annual savings on gym membership fees.
"My alternative workout costs next to nothing. Except for the two dumbbells that I bought, I don't spend anything anymore to keep my body fit. I don't pay gym membership fees, but I do get to enjoy the outdoors, have fun and reap healthy benefits at the same time," she says.
Fitness experts agree that people have a lot of cost-saving options to choose from. Ditching the gym and fancy exercise equipment should be on top of a budget saver's to-do list.
Iryna Sivash, a fitness trainer from Ukraine, says using body weight is the ultimate money-friendly way to get in shape, but the results will largely depend on a person's patience and determination.
"You can do push-ups and sit-ups without any equipment. Use your body weight. It costs nothing. It's easy. Even if you just use a chair, you can do a push-up. But then again, this all depends on the personality of a person. Somebody can spend millions on fitness programmes and get nothing, and somebody can spend nothing and get a lot of it. It needs a lot of determination, dedication and patience because you lose interest over time. But if you really want to achieve something, you can do it," Sivash tells Gulf News.
Even simple activities such as jogging around the park or walking instead of driving, swimming, stretching, taking the dog outside for a walk can do wonders, if done regularly. They're not only free, they're sure to burn calories.
However, if walking outdoors is impossible due to searing temperatures, walking in the mall could be a good option, another trainer suggests.
"If they can't go to the gym, they should at least jog for 15 minutes a day. Also, it's advisable not to take any food after 7pm. That's the frugal way to stay in shape," adds Sivash.
Personal trainers
Nassreh Ameri, personal training manager of Ignite Fitness and Wellness, which offers military bootcamps in Dubai, however, says talking to a personal trainer is a good budget-saving option for starters.
Some personal trainers in Dubai demand Dh125 to Dh200 per hour. Instead of hiring an exclusive trainer for a month or one year, one can just arrange a session with the fitness expert to get an idea what proper exercises suit one's needs.
"You can just do a one-off session with the trainer and that will give you some knowledge or fresh ideas. Tell the trainer what you want, the goals you want to achieve. Get some tips. Get a programme — that will last you for three or four weeks and then you can implement that programme on your own," Ameri tells Gulf News.
She also suggests going along to a fitness class once to learn some techniques or see the intensity that one should be working out.
"Use the great outdoors. Use a different terrain. If you're used to walking on the road, go to the beach where it's going to be harder for you just by having a different terrain underneath you. That in itself is going to double your workout. Try not to do the same thing all the time. Mix it up. Get advice. Talk to people in the know," she adds.
