by Pamela Siegel
Have your outdoor fitness goals been derailed by a lack of cash? We get it. Trying something new isn’t as much fun when you risk spending a ton of money on equipment you may use once and set aside. What’s even worse? The painful notion of buying expensive sporting gear for your kids that might sit collecting dust. While the outdoor fitness struggle is real, the solution is simple with some low-cost activities to explore and great secondhand gear to help both you and your budget stay in shape.
Improving Your Fitness Outdoors
There are many ways to connect with outdoor exercise on a limited budget. Sometimes you can get started spending little or nothing and still find a good formula for fitness. For instance, it might not always be feasible to take a full-blown nature hike, but you can take advantage of walking in your own neighborhood. When the time is right, try walking with weights to increase the intensity, as noted by Marathon Handbook. This can even lead to jogging or running if you’re so inclined.
Bicycling, especially when you score a great used bicycle and safety equipment secondhand, is another alternative that will get you out and about. Playing team sports and activities like golfing are also good ways get some physical activity while enjoying fresh air and sunshine. Used sports equipment can be purchased for way less than what you’ll find shopping retail. Your body will love you for your bargain shopping efforts and your wallet will, too.
Cannondale Bicycle sold by Trading Post Estate Sales via AuctionNinja.
More on Sports and Activities You Can Enjoy on a Budget
There are some great outdoor activities you can try without a big cash outlay. Some have low-cost equipment, while others don’t require more than clothes and shoes you probably already have on hand. Once you get a feel for whether an activity is a winner, you can kick things up a notch by investing in some gear.
Look at a few ideas to get you thinking in that direction:
Try a Round of Disc Golf
Many communities have disc golf courses a short drive away. They’re set up so that you walk the course offering a great opportunity to get your steps in while having fun. Along the way, you toss a specially sized disc (similar to the Frisbee you played with as a kid) with the goal of getting it into a cage-like basket at the end of each “hole.” The best part? The only equipment you need to try it out is an inexpensive disc. You can play solo, although you might find it’s more enjoyable with a buddy.
Take a Hike
If you live in a locale with some scenic areas to explore, hiking is a great way to get some exercise while connecting with nature. Start with easy trails wearing your trusty sneakers just to see if you like this as an exercise alternative. If you decide to get serious and take on some longer hikes or cover rougher terrain, you can invest in a good pair of shoes or boots for safer hiking. Some hikers also find poles to be useful in traversing more challenging terrain. You can often find these available secondhand to save a few bucks.
Take a Swim or Exercise in the Water
Swimming at a neighborhood pool or community center is a great low-cost way to get in some exercise. Don’t like to swim? Not to worry. You can still get in a good workout standing in the water. This is a great option when you have joint issues, as noted on Healthline, since it’s a low-impact activity. Start out with some easy exercises. If you find that you really like working out in the pool, you can invest in things like foam dumbbells, water weights, or resistance gloves. Aqua jogging wearing a buoyancy belt is also a low impact alternative to running for cardio fitness.
Callaway Golf Bag With Callaway, Taylormade & Lynx Black Cat Clubs sold by Lighthouse Estate Sales via AuctionNinja
The Benefits of Buying Used Sports Equipment
While gear can get expensive when purchased at retail, you don’t have to splurge big to play your game of choice with good equipment. All types of high-quality sports gear can be found for less when shopping secondhand, including top brands. This is also an excellent way to let your kiddos try a sport or two without going broke. Options with local pick-up, including online estate sales, can save you even more when you sidestep shipping costs.
Look for equipment for the following sports, along with many others, through secondhand resources:
Tennis: Rackets, Cases, and Balls
Some of the top-rated tennis rackets by brands such as Babolot, Head, and Wilson can sell for hundreds when purchased new. You can find a quality used tennis racket by these names for far less when shopping secondhand, and sometimes they’ll come with balls or even a case. When shopping for a used tennis racket, check the strings for marks and ball fuzz and look for worn grips. These are signs that a racket has been used extensively and it’s best to keep shopping for one in better condition, as noted by Racquet Network.
Pickleball: Paddles and Balls
With pro tennis stars getting in on the action these days, pickleball continues to grow in popularity as both a competitive sport and a casual activity for exercise. A good pickleball paddle can top $100 when purchased new. If you’re just wanting to see if the game is right for you, buying a used paddle and balls can be much more economical. Checking used sporting goods stores is a great place to start for these items but look for them in online estate sales as well.
Golf: Clubs, Bags, and Balls
Golfing on a budget usually means walking the course, and it’s also a great way to stay in shape. Carrying clubs can be hard on the back and shoulders, though, so finding a secondhand wheeled push caddy is a godsend. Of course, you can find name brand clubs, bags, and accessories from balls to umbrellas used as well. Online estate sale listings are a great resource for golf equipment of all kinds since these heavy items can be picked up in person to save even more.
Fold A Tray Tackle Box, Contents sold by Bid to Win NH Auction via AuctionNinja
Fishing: Rods, Reels, and Tackle
Whether you want to practice up for tournament fishing or simply stock your freezer with healthy catch-of-the-day meal options, all types of used fishing gear can be found for less when shopping secondhand. High-end rods, reels, flies, and lures can all be snagged for far less than shopping retail. You might even run across a next-to-new tackle box to store all your bargain goodies.
Baseball: Gloves, Bats, and Balls
Whether you’re looking to join an adult team or have a child who wants to check out little league, looking for preowned baseball equipment makes good sense. You can save a bundle on a used baseball glove, bats, and practice balls, and then upgrade to new gear once you get a feel for your preferences. Secondhand sporting goods stores and in-person estate sales are good resources for gloves since trying them on will provide the best fit.
Ready to shop for all the gear you need for outdoor fitness? Browse all our exercise and sporting equipment auctions on AuctionNinja.com.
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June 19, 2023 Updated 03:06 PM
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