16 Ways To Get Fit Without Having To Join A Gym

Put down the dumbbells and step away from the treadmill...

1. Nike Plus Group Training

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Did you know that Nike offer free weekly training classes and group runs? At the moment, they're only in Sydney and Melbourne, but there are still options if you're outside those areas. The Nike+ app has hundreds of workouts you can do, and all are 100% free. You can choose from strength, endurance, and mobility workouts (yoga and stretching), so there's something for everyone.

2. Freeletics

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Freeletics have a bunch of different apps to help you get fiit. My personal fave, Bodyweight, has suggested circuits and also lets you build your own. Best of all, none of the exercises require equipment so you can do it at home or in a park.

3. ClassPass

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ClassPass is the perfect way to try out different studios around your city. You pay a monthly fee and get access to a heap of classes including rowing, boxing, yoga, pilates, barre, circuit training, and bike hire. You can also book in time at certain gyms so you can go in and do your own thing when you're feeling antisocial. I joined it on a two-week trial and I'm still subscribed nine months later.

4. Running clubs

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A lot of major cities have running clubs which you can join for free. Have a look on Facebook and see what's around you. Here's one in Melbourne, a female-only one in Sydney, and one in Perth. Just search "[city] + run" on Facebook or Google and I'm sure you'll find something.

5. Lululemon yoga classes

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Did you know that Lululemon stores host free weekly yoga classes in some of their stores? Find your closest location and check out their timetables!

6. Go for a walk or a hike

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Alright, this might sound like a bit of a no-brainer. But now the weather is warming up, it's time to start making the most of some of Australia's stunning walks. Here's a list of tracks in Sydney, Melbourne, and around the country. Again, I'm sure you can Google some more!

7. Live Life Get Active

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Live Life Get Active is an organisation that provides free workout and nutrition education across the country. They hold workout bootcamps in parks pretty regularly. Check out the schedule and find a location near you.

8. Ride a bike

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Whether you own a bike, or just rent one, going on a scenic bike ride is a perfect way to get your blood pumping on the weekend. Most major beaches have bike hire places and provide you with maps of stunning coastal tracks. Or just ride around your neighbourhood and maybe you'll find a cafe you haven't discovered yet! Google [city] + cycling to find maps and low-traffic areas.

9. YouTube

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There are so many workouts on YouTube, just waiting for you to try out. Clear some space in your living room, lay out a yoga mat and go to town! Blogilates is a popular channel with TONS of videos, but honestly you can just search for any workout you want and I'm sure you'll find something.

10. Meetup

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I didn't realise just how many free park workouts there are out there! Have a search on Meetup and you'll be able to find something in your area. This Crossfit-style Sydney bootcamp is really popular, and there are also friendly soccer matches and walking clubs you can join in on all round the country.

11. Outdoor fitness playgrounds

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There are so many fitness "playgrounds" springing up in parks around the country, and some of them are surprisingly high-tech. But even if it's just a chin-up bar and a bench, the number of different exercises you can do on them is huge.

12. Groupon

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Groupon has some really good fitness classes at insanely low costs. You can get a 4-week F45 membership for $30, or a five-class yoga pass for $19. Get on the Health & Fitness section and have a browse.

13. Group sports

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There are so many teams that play sports like netball, soccer, and touch footy every week. It's such a good way to workout without even realising it, and you'll probably make some friends along the way, so long as you're not too competitive. Start by using Google to look for clubs near you.

14. At-home yoga

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If you're just starting out in the yoga world and are too nervous to go to classes, or if you're a master but just too lazy to leave the house, then never fear. Yoga is one of those workouts that doesn't require anything but a mat, which makes it so easy to do anywhere. You can find flows on YouTube, or use a free app like Daily Yoga to get started.

15. No Lights No Lycra

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No Lights No Lycra is a weekly dance workout which is nothing like Zumba or any other class you've been to before. All the lights are off so you're free to dance like a maniac, without worrying about following the instructor or anyone judging your moves.

16. DIY a workout circuit

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If you want to do a sweaty circuit but don't want to leave your house, there are about a billion you can choose from on the internet. Here's a 28-day challenge created by BuzzFeed, or just have a Google and find what works for you. You can even follow the format of any workout you find, but replace the exercises with ones that you know you enjoy doing.

The thumbnail for this post includes an image from @samanthaskerry on Instagram.