Get Fit and Make Money in 2023!
It’s January! This is the month where everyone is rushing to the gym to fulfill their New Year’s Resolution obligations. Besides the obvious physical and mental health benefits of getting a bit more fit, wouldn’t you enjoy it more, if you could earn a little while you’re at it? In this post we will discuss some ways to get fit and make money right now!
Some of the methods we will discuss will be obvious to you, but some you may not have thought of before at all. Let’s get to it.
Table of Contents
- Get a Job that Requires Physical Activity
- Get Fit and Make Money with Apps
- One Last Way You May Not Have Considered
Get Fit and Make Money with a Job (or second job/side hustle) that Requires Physical Activity.
Instructor/Trainer
I’ll start with the most obvious one to get it out of the way to get fit and make money – get a job at your gym. Yes, I know. But lets discuss this. If you’re really into spin classes, yoga, or Zumba, maybe weight lifting, why not consider going through the certification process to become a trainer/instructor? This will of course cost you a little at first, but once you’re certified, you’ll be able to help others become just as passionate as you are in this particular workout.
You’ll earn income from the gym or studio you work out at, and if it is a gym you’re working at, you’ll be able to workout yourself for free and explore/learn new activities. Some certified programs even partner with vacation resorts. I knew a couple people from my last gym who used to go on FREE trips to island resorts. Other than teaching 1-3 classes a day (which you’d be doing at the gym in your hometown anyway), you’ve got a free tropical vacation!
Another benefit to becoming a certified instructor would be the ability to start a YouTube channel. You’re knowledgeable in your preferred workout, and can guide followers from around the world on their own fitness journey. Add to that merch and paid travel events along the way. Makes that certification fee seem like pocket change now.
BUT There are Other Jobs at the Gym
If being an instructor or trainer isn’t something you’re particularly into, see if your gym is hiring elsewhere. You could work the front desk checking members in and out. Many gyms have child care facilities for members. Some have snack bars (healthy because obviously), or at the very least a drink station. Most gyms offer free memberships for their employees. So while you’d have to workout before or after your shift you’re still getting paid to be there, I’d say this one fits the bill.
Become a Health Coach
A certified health coach guides people on their health and fitness journey. In addition to physical fitness, a health coach assists clients with lifestyle changes to help prevent or reverse various conditions. These may include diet changes, mental health improvements, and of course physical fitness plans. If this is something that interests you, this website will help you learn more.
Grocery Stores and Retail Establishments are ALWAYS Hiring
I worked at two grocery stores and one retail store over the years. I was on my feet all shift. Now of course there are positions within each establishment that move a bit more than others.
For example, a grocery store stocking clerk is not only on their feet all shift maneuvering the store, they’re also doing some heavy lifting from time to time. Steps and weight lifting right there. Even when I worked at the cash register at the grocery stores I was employed at, I had to keep busy. When there were no customers our lanes, we were expected to keep the end caps clean and organized; the same with the candy and magazine areas. I would often volunteer to go outside and collect shopping carts or put back items people decided they didn’t want once they arrived at checkout. Anything to keep moving and stay busy.
One of the stores I worked at, I changed prices every Sunday in the Health and Beauty section. That’s what I did my entire shift unless they needed me on register. I got to walk around, see what’s what, chat with customers and help them find items. I wish smart watches existed then so I could have tracked my steps.
When I worked retail, a bit part of my position was ordering merchandise, and putting away the orders when they came in. This involved a LOT of walking around the store and supply room. I also had to make sure the store was cleaned and vacuumed on nights I closed. Just a continuation of ideas on how you can get your steps in while working. (This job also offered me an employee discount on anything I purchased!)
Just stay away from the tempting snacks in the break room!
Shop for Others on YOUR Time
Does the idea of walking around the grocery store tempt you? Maybe you’re not able to commit to a schedule with a second job because of your personal life or your main job may require you to work different or extra hours. Consider becoming an Instacart shopper! In many markets those who deliver your food are also the ones who do the shopping. However, there are some markets that have separate shoppers from delivery people. You could get the orders together for other people (while browsing all the good deals for your own trip later), and get your steps in!
Stores are climate controlled, so you wouldn’t be sweating it out in the heat of summer, rushing in and out of your car trying to stay dry in the rain, or freezing in the winter.
Love Animals?
There’s two options that immediately come to mind here.
First, dog walking. Start with friends and neighbors, perhaps you have a different work schedule than they do, and they need someone to take their dog out for some exercise once a day. Or your elderly neighbor is just not able to do so themselves anymore. If you start with animals you are familiar with, perhaps their owners will start recommending you to other people. You’ll be able to explore your neighborhood and other areas while helping people out who are unable to for whatever reason to get out with their pet at that time.
There are some licenses and certifications you should follow up with here to be legit though. I’d recommend Animal CPR Certification from the Red Cross to start. This class is actually a good idea for all pet owners.
Another idea is working with a farm or animal rescue taking care of the animals. While I always advocate volunteering with animal rescues, I know not everyone is able to, and many rescues are hiring paid help. Take care of the animals, make sure they’re fed and safe. For larger animals you know you’ll be doing some heavy lifting for food and hay, you may also be running around herding chickens and pigs into their area for the evenings.
If you’re in Southern California, can I recommend the Duck Pond of Lake Elsinore? They’re currently (as of writing this post) looking for an employee or two.
Outdoor Cleanup Services
There are a variety of services you can offer year round. During the spring and summer you can advertise grass cutting for those who are unable or without the time to do so. Rake leaves in the fall and shovel snow in the winter. I even know of dog poop removal services (this is one you could add to dog walking services as well, yard cleanup at an additional fee on the days you walk). Same as dog walking, start with neighbors and friends, or elderly people in your community who may need help, and let word spread. You can obviously advertise your services as well, or look on community social media pages and/or sites like Craigslist.
Live in a Bigger City? Get Around Town and Get Paid!
I say bigger city, because you’re (probably) not going to find these services in a small town.
The first option is working as a bike messenger or courier. With technology, the need to carry messages from Point A to Point B may be declining, BUT there is a need still. Documents need to be sent between offices for signatures, seals, or stamps and returned with the same day. Larger corporations and offices may employ bike messengers for this, think Law Firms handling cases with another firm, or needing to deliver documents to the courthouse in a rush.
Another bike delivery method is for a service like Door Dash. Smaller orders can be easily delivered on a bike and may even be quicker than a car because of traffic or finding parking. You’ll get tons of miles in on your bike, lots of exercise, and get paid.
The second option is to become a tour guide. Many cities offer walking tours of their most historical and famous landmarks. Some are paid and some are free but tipping is encouraged. Aside from the city itself (you’ll be in all elements), if you live near a sports stadium, museum, state or national park, or really anything that brings in tourists, there’s probably a tour guide position available. I think back to some stadium tours we’ve been on and the steps we’ve logged, and my mind goes to the tour guide who is giving the same tour multiple times a day a few days a week.
Get Fit and Make Money with – APPS!
In this day and age there is an app for just about anything you can think of. Why not fitness?
Placing Bets
*Disclaimer – I have not personally used these apps. I’ve read both good and bad reviews, please research both in full before deciding whether or not to sign up for an account.
StepBet is an app through the company WayBetter, not sure if its supposed to be a play on the word weight. Maybe? The concept seems simple enough: choose a game (a challenge perhaps) through the app and place your bet. Next, connect your step tracker, the app works with Apple Watch, Apple Health, Google Fit, Fitbit, Samsung Health, and Garmin. Work on reaching your step goals weekly until the end of the game and get your bet back plus a profit. The profit I assume being the bets lost by those who didn’t complete the game goals. Losing money should be enough motivation to keep moving from day to day. You could combine the app with one of the jobs above too since you’ll be moving more anyway!
Another app where you take a gamble on your health and wellness is HealthyWage. In this app, you join challenges like in StepBet, but this app focuses on weight loss. You’ll submit your starting weight and photos, and again at the end of the challenge. I’m guessing they confirm the weight loss via the photos or a video weigh in perhaps. You can join public challenges or create challenges for your family and friends. Anyone who loses at minimum the specified percentage of weight wins an equal share of the pot.
Get Rewarded for Healthy Actions
Sweatcoin rewards you for steps taken with their own digital currency, also called Sweatcoins. You can trade in Sweatcoins for a variety of products and experiences. The app uses your in phone GPS to track your outside steps, this is a downside for those who prefer treadmills or to get their steps in while at work inside a building. But, if you are running or walking outside or hiking – this may be the app for you. You just have to have it on while doing outside activities.
Evidation (formerly Achievement) is another app that rewards you for healthy actions. Connect your fitness app, take some surveys, mediate within the app, and more. All of these actions earn you points, which you can then exchange for cash. See if you qualify for research studies based on your activity and health reports which will then help leading health organizations with development on treatments for all kinds of health issues.
I have previously used both of these above apps and for whatever reason strayed away. However after researching both, I think I may give them another shot.
Miles App – We’ve reviewed this one before, a similar concept to Sweatcoins, Miles rewards you for activity, but also car rides. See the entire review here.
Be sure to check out our other Money posts and see how you can make your money work for you!
One Last Way to Get Fit and Make Money
Okay, this one may be reaching a little, but bear with me.
Shopkick is an app that rewards you for purchases that you make in a variety of local stores. You can also earn by watching videos in the app. But, that’s not all. The points you earn within the app are called kicks. You can earn kicks just by walking around local stores and scanning specified products. This is a way for the stores to confirm what’s actually on their shelves.
If you have a local shopping center with a few of the stores in the app near each other, you can pop in and out of each one scanning products to earn kicks and get your daily steps in. For our full review of Shopkick click here.
Final Thoughts
So, that’s it. That’s our list of ways you can get fit and make money this year! What’s holding you back?
We think you’ll also like our list of ways to Get Fit and SAVE Money!
What other ways can you think of to make money while improving your health? Let us know in the comments!
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