If you are committed to exercising but cannot afford the convenience of a gym membership, don't think you're out of options. Working out can be as cheap as you make it!

Walk

This is not only free but also one of the best exercises overall. Walking requires no equipment, it's easy on your joints, and once you get bored of it all you have to do is change the scenery. To make it more challenging, you can select a park with stairs or a hilly area. 

Walk Your Dog

If you don't have one, volunteer for an animal shelter or become a dog walker (and pick up some extra money on the way!). Because dogs have to be walked twice a day, you can forget about making up excuses to skip your daily exercise time.  

Sneak In Exercise

Take the stairs, jump rope, get off the bus a stop early. Do jumping jacks in your living room. Go window shopping. Every little bit helps.   

Get An Active Hobby

Have you ever wanted to learn tennis or golf? How about hiking the local parks? This is your chance. Go out and enjoy the outdoors. You can buy the basic equipment at local thrift stores or garage sales. If you're not into sports, consider gardening or bird watching. Both will get you out and moving without making you feel like you're exercising. Or contact a local organization that organizes volunteer beach cleaning. Nobody said you can't do some good for the environment while getting in shape.

Bike Your Way Around

Saves on gas and helps keep the environment clean. You can get a brand-new bike for less than $100. Or shop around for a used one. Pays for itself with the money you save on tolls, parking, and traffic tickets!

Invest In A Few Exercise Videos

Or check them out of your local library for free.

Do a Little Shopping

If you have your heart set on gym-like workouts or if you live in an area where winter and snow will cut down considerably on your outdoor time, you may want to consider investing in some equipment. Just a few weights can make all the difference. Used treadmills are another option, and they can usually be found at garage sales for a very reasonable price.

If You Absolutely Must Join a Gym

Shop around for the best price. The local Y may be a great option and it's often not as overrun with kids as you may think (except in summer). Some gyms offer weekends-only or mornings-only memberships at heavily discounted prices. If you only exercise a couple of times a week, it may be worth paying for a daily pass.