Joining a gym can take commitment. First of all, there is the membership cost to consider. Maybe the gym you would like to join just doesn’t fit into your monthly budget. Then, there is the time factor. Will you make the time in your day to drive to and from the gym AND then spend more time working out? The commute is going to add precious time to your day. The fact is, you don’t need a gym to get your body moving. There are plenty of low-cost alternatives that can help you meet your fitness goals without breaking the bank. Have fun trying these ideas.

• Borrow exercise videos from the library or Netflix
  • If you are actually going to commit to regularly do an exercise video, you first need to see if you like it. Too easy? Annoying music? Weird moves? You really don’t know unless you try it. I have borrowed tons of dvds from the library to see which ones I like best. I finally bought Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred after trying it and loving it. (I highly recommend it for at-home work-outs- it is challenging, has three levels, weight training and cardio components…plus each work-out is only 20 minutes long!)
• Run or powerwalk your neighborhood
  • When I am crunched for time, I know I can lace up my sneakers, dash out my door and get in a three mile run in a small amount of time.
  • Find a neighbor with whom to run or walk and it will be even more enjoyable…I look forward to my Wednesday morning runs with my friend…it is amazing how fast time can go when you are chatting while you run!
• Share with friends
  • Poll your friends to see what types of exercise equipment people have and then share. I know two women- one has a treadmill and the other has a stationary bike in her home. They alternate days going to each other’s houses and taking turns working-out (plus they watch each other’s little ones while the other one is sweating it out!)
• Try “old-school” bootcamp types of work-outs
  • Things like jumping jacks, crunches, push-ups and lunges require no equipment at all!
• Play organized sports
  • More people I know are joining adult sports teams for fun and exercise. It is a great way to meet new people and have fun while you get a good work-out.
• Make a work-out out of yard work
  • Mow the lawn, weed your garden, sweep your driveway, rake leaves, shovel snow…they all can burn A LOT of calories. Plus you will be getting a job done while you work-out- a WIN WIN!
• Speed up your household chores
  • You can burn calories doing household chores as well. Increase your heart rate as you scrub the kitchen floor or vacuum the downstairs. Run up and down the stairs as you put away your laundry piece by piece. Do squats when you pick up toys in the toy room.
• Turn up the volume
  • Nothing motivates me more when I am working out than a good, loud, upbeat song I love. Find out what songs get you moving and enjoy it!
• Use an Exercise Log
  • It helps to record your exercise use. You will feel great when you see how much time and commitment you are putting into keeping your body healthy. Members will find ListPlanIt’s Exercise Log and other health planning pages in Personal Interests.

How do you work-out without joining a gym?