Gym memberships arent cheap.
From enrollment fees to budget-burning monthly payments, paying to stay fit is more torturous than the Stairmaster.
Theres free equipment at fitness stations in public parks, but does anyone ever actually know how touseit?
The walking lunge requires no equipment at all. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
Instead of walking by these free fitness stations, consider working out on them.
(Not sure if theres one near you?
Searchthis handy databaseto find out.)
Remember to warm up your muscles with a light, five-minute jog before getting started.
Your body will thank you later.
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Exercise No.
1: Walking Lunges
This circuit starts off with walking lunges.
Trust me, youll start to feel the burn after a few of these.
Find a bench and step up on each leg 12 times.
The higher the bench, the greater the intensity of the exercise.
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Exercise No.
2: Bench Press With Body Weight
Now youre sweating!
This next exercise involves the bench-press machine.
Start with your hands gripping the handles with your arms close to your body.
To effectively complete this exercise, flex your pectoral muscles as you push away from your body.
Duran recommends using the bench-press equipment for stabilization.
To make the push ups easier, move your feet forward; to increase difficulty, walk them back.
Keep your arms at a 90-degree angle on your way down.
Exercise No.
3: Lateral Pulldown
Time for more arms.
This exercise will strengthen your shoulders, back, biceps and core.
To complete a lateral pull down, grasp the handles with your palms facing away from you.
Pull the bars down.
You should squeeze your shoulder blades while completing the exercise.
Modification:Use your feet to assist you.
Exercise No.
Take this exercise seriously its benefits are more than just bringing out that six-pack.
To do a proper plank, get into a push-up position and then rest your forearms on the floor.
Your elbows should be directly beneath your shoulders and your body should be parallel to the floor.
Resist the urge to have your tush up in the air and dont forget to breathe.
Hold for 30 seconds
Modification: Bent-knee plank
Planks are tough, especially if youve never done one before.
Exercise No.
The key here is to rev up your heart rate.
Nice, you finished!
Now complete the above circuit two times for a full workout, with minimal downtime.
The numbers dont include annual and enrollment fees, where applicable yikes.
By taking advantage of public fitness stations, you have the potential to save money each month.
Think of all the things you could do with that cash start an emergency fundorpay off debt.
The most important thing to keep in mind, though?
Working out isnt just to look good.
Duran says exercise has so many more benefits.
Theres usually something deeper behind it thats motivating you, says Duran.
Working out can boost your mood and your overall well-being.
Dont focus so much on the physical aspect.
Now thats something we can all get behind.
Kelly Anne Smith is an email content specialist at The Penny Hoarder.
Catch her on Twitter at @keywordkelly.
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