4 Side Gigs That Will Get You in Shape This Spring
Staying in shape can be challenging when your schedule is loaded with obligations. Between your job, social life, and family, when are you supposed to fit in time to work out? If you struggle with feeling guilty for taking time to yourself, or you feel like you can’t afford a gym membership let alone time not spent earning cash, consider finding ways to stay active while also earning a little extra money.
Side gigs are one awesome way to plump up your wallet while also getting active. While most side gigs can’t replace a full-time job, it’s easy to find a part-time position that hardly feels like work. Here are a few ideas for active side gigs you can pick up this spring.
1. Dog Walking
Having a dog is a great excuse to get outside for long walks and visits to the park. If you don’t have a dog of your own, consider becoming a dog walker. Dog walkers can make $15 or more per 30 minutes spent walking, and you can rake in big bucks for minimal time if you can walk several dogs at once. The best part? You don’t need any experience to become a dog walker. You can find clients by reaching out to busy neighbors, and once you have some good references you can start advertising on sites like Rover.com.
2. Fitness Instructor
If you’re a yoga, Zumba, or spin enthusiast (or one of many other fitness trends), connect with a local fitness studio to start offering a class or two every week. You’ll get to keep a cut of the class fees without having to worry about finding your own space or equipment. For something like yoga that doesn’t require gear other than what participants bring themselves, look into offering sessions in a free space like a scenic public park. If you’re intimidated by the idea of teaching an entire class, you can offer private one-on-one sessions in your home.
3. Docent or Tour Guide
Art or history lovers can couple their intellectual interests with their desire to stay active by becoming a docent at a local museum. Docents work as guides for museum guests who want a more educational experience out of their visit. You’ll spend a lot of time on your feet as a docent, getting plenty of light cardio to keep you fit and healthy.
Prefer to get outside? Consider becoming a walking tour guide. If your city or town has historical sites, there’s a good chance there’s a company offering walking tours where you can take visitors to different sites and tell them about the history of the town. You’ll get in a few miles of walking and absorb plenty of mood- and health-boosting vitamin D.
4. Youth Sports Referee
If you played sports in high school or college and want to give back to budding athletes, start refereeing for youth sports during evenings and weekends. Becoming a youth sports referee is easy. You can participate in a referee training by the National Alliance for Youth Sports for only $20, and some local recreational leagues don’t require any training beyond knowledge of the sport’s rules. And since youth sports are typically scheduled for evenings and weekends, it’s easy to fit this side gig around your day job.
Are you looking to get in shape and maybe even earn a few bucks, but don’t have time to squeeze a side job into your already jam-packed schedule? Try out one the many Android and iOS apps that give you financial rewards for meeting your fitness goals. Apps like AchieveMint let you earn points for workout sessions that you can later convert into cash or gift cards, while apps like DietBet and Healthy Wage let you compete against yourself and others for cash prizes. No matter what you choose, you’ll be improving both your lifestyle and your finances.
Image via Pixabay
Article by Paige Johnson
