You do not have to spend a lot of money to stay fit and healthy as active military personnel and veterans. You can find discounts from any number of retail and service companies, from activewear to massages. You can even find free activities to do on your own to save even more in your pursuit of physical health.
Gym Memberships
A gym membership is an easy way to force yourself to remain accountable for your physical fitness. If you have to pay for it, you are more likely to use it. Most gyms and fitness centers will offer a variety of aerobic equipment, such as stationary bikes, ellipticals and treadmills. You will have access to free weights and weight machines. You will also have access to various classes, from yoga to crossfit.
Both active and veteran military will often receive discounts on signup fees and monthly membership fees at various locations, such as Gold’s Gym and 24-Hour Fitness. If you move a lot, look for one that has many locations so you do not have to constantly pay cancellation fees and initiation fees at new gyms. If you live near a base, you can likely use the on-base fitness center. And do not forget about the YMCA and free outdoor courts in many towns and cities worldwide.
Health Food Stores
You must eat right and fuel your body with the right vitamins and nutrients to remain healthy and to maximize your fitness level. Health food stores offer some of the best healthy food and supplement options on the market. You can find foods with products featuring non-GMO, organic, no nitrites and nitrates, no hormones or antibiotics, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, lean proteins and more. You can also find herbal supplements to ensure you receive enough of the vitamins and nutrients you may not receive from your diet. Places like Whole Foods and GNC provide discounts along with countless others.
Medical Supplies
You do not have to go to the VA to receive special rates on medical supplies that will keep you healthy. Many local and national pharmacy and drug stores will provide discounts to service people. CVS offers a 20 percent discount to their VetRewards members which can be both active and non-active military. Others offer significant discounts on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. You can buy everything you need for daily health maintenance at these types of stores, such as custom invisible hearing aids, cough drops, tissues, knee braces and more.
Outdoor Activity and League Play
If you like the idea of remaining active and fit yet you do not like the idea of being indoors or running nowhere on a treadmill, get outdoors or join a sports league. Sports leagues often have a fee associated with the team; however, they typically do not require a membership to the facility at which you play. You can even find leagues that are entirely free or plenty of local businesses would sponsor a military team to cover the costs. You should also consider exercising in the great outdoors. It does not cost anything and being in nature is excellent for both your physical and mental health. Plus, many outdoor brands and sportswear businesses offer discounts to military service people, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and Bass Pro Shop.
If a company does not advertise a military discount, be sure to ask because many businesses will offer a discount even without it being publically publicized. And do not forget that your mental health is equally as important. A physical release and time outdoors can be just as good for your mental health as your physical health. Get out there and stay active for extraordinary mental and physical health benefits. As an added bonus, you will drastically improve your quality of life for years to come and the lives of those around you.
