Whether you want to get in shape for the quickly approaching summer or simply because you want to improve your health and wellbeing, college can be a big speed bump along the way. Not only is your daily schedule super hectic and fitting in a workout difficult, but you’re also not exactly rolling in it. Money is tight.
Workout clothes cost an arm and a leg, along with fitness classes and the grocery bills involved in eating healthy.
But, getting in shape doesn’t have to be uber pricey.
You can live off of your college budget and still get the physique you want through these simple hacks!
1. Nordstrom Rack.
Selling brand new clothes at more than half off is what Nordstrom Rack is all about. Any kind of activewear or fitness gear you’re looking for, you name it, and they have it. Sports bras, leggings, shoes, jackets, wireless headphones, and so much more.
Plus, they carry quality brands like Nike, PUMA, North Face, Adidas, Maaji, and Alo at a significantly reduced price. Like, I’m not kidding, they’re practically giving this stuff away. And, Nordstrom Rack has excellent customer service when it comes to damaged merchandise, incorrect orders, and pretty much everything else!
2. Yoga Outlet.
Namaste on a budget? No worries! Yoga Outlet’s got you.
Stocking meditation cushions, yoga mats, towels, sweatpants, leotards, shorts, and literally everything to do with yoga, Yoga Outlet is a great resource in getting the clothing and tools you want without paying the painful full price.
Recommended to me by my Pilates instructor who literally needs tons of activewear for her daily job, Yoga Outlet is a gem. Plus, their selection of brands is hard to beat.
3. Groupons.
Many fitness studios offer Groupons for class packages or membership at a dramatically reduced price. Well-trusted organizations like Pure Barre and Gold’s Gym, plus some more local businesses.
That means that those toned arms and sculpted thighs don’t have to break what’s left of our piggy banks!
4. YouTube.
Believe it or not, there is a huge network of YouTubers willing to put the time and effort into researching celebrity diets and fitness regimes and publishing it online for your use.
A lot of the time, these workouts come from the very personal trainers who get these celebs into tip-top shape. So, you have literal thousand dollar workouts free for your enjoyment.
Want to look like Selena Gomez? A Victoria’s Secret model? No worries college kids, it’s FREE!
5. Brandless.
Anyone who has ever tried to get in shape knows that eating a healthy diet is critical to seeing results. Like they always say, you can’t outrun a bad diet. However, eating healthy can be pricey. Like super pricey. Like my mom almost cut me off pricey.
Fitness gurus always stress eating healthy snacks like dried fruit and nuts, instead of chips, and how great quinoa is for you.
Add being organic on top of that and you’re looking at a serious expense that many college kids simply can’t afford.
Enter Brandless. Just like the name suggests, Brandless does not supply branded products and is able to offer lower prices on products that are the same quality as branded ones.
Now, you can get those nut mixes and quinoa for $3! Bikini body here we come!
6. Fitness Apps.
It’s no secret that we almost always have our cell phones on hand. More often than not, those cell phones are also smartphones. So, why not put your smartphone to good use to help you get in shape?
There are hundreds of apps that are typically free to download that help to take the place of a paid personal trainer and dietician. There’s the MyFitnessPal, DietBet, PlantNanny, 8fit, and so many more. Even one with zombies to encourage you to run faster!
In a perfect world it would be great to have unlimited funds to just hire people to figure this out for you and to buy whatever workout clothes you wanted without caring about the cost. But, this is college.
Personally, I’m just trying to scramble the money together to get my weekly Phở.
Getting in shape doesn’t have to be expensive. Granted, it may take a little more creativity, but it’s definitely not impossible.
