If you really want to pay it forward, but feel like you don’t have the time or the funds, consider this: you can actually turn your workout into a way to help those in need.
Check out these suggestions from Women’s Health (womenshealthmag.com).
Charity Miles
If you usually track your walks, runs, or bike rides on a GPS watch or app, you'll love Charity Miles. The phone app lets you select a charity from a list to "donate" your miles to. Activate the app whenever you lace up your running shoes or hop on your bike, and exercise as usual. Then, for every mile you walk or run, corporate sponsors will donate 25 cents to your chosen charity. For every mile you ride, they'll donate 10 cents. So the more you sweat, the more you give.
Workout Mission
This site is just what anyone trying to exercise more regularly needs. On Workout Mission (workoutmission.org) you set a minimum weekly workout goal and choose from one of five featured "missions" (think: charities like The Special Olympics or Big Brothers Big Sisters) to donate to. When you work out—whether it's by lifting weights or doing a fitness class—you log it in the calendar. Once you complete 10 workouts, you can donate $10 to your selected mission. You'll get a receipt for every donation you make.
Plus3
Get your entire office in on the sweaty charitable giving by using Plus3. This tool is designed to help companies motivate their employees to live healthy lifestyles through donation goals and friendly competition. You and your coworkers can download the app and sync up your fitness trackers to compete for leaderboard standing and donation goals. You'll track your nutrition, fitness activities, and more to earn points toward prizes and donations.
Sweat for STF
She's the First sponsors young girls around the world, and helps them gain access to education. With their #SweatforSTF campaign, you can create a fundraising page as you work toward a fitness goal, whether it's to run a marathon or complete 100 days of yoga. You'll set a fundraising goal and invite friends and family to make donations. When you hit your fundraising goal, you'll be matched with a girl whose education you've sponsored. You can also create a fundraising page as a team and fundraise with coworkers or in memory of a shared loved one.
