Exercise on a Budget

Not everyone can afford a gym membership, personal trainer or at-home exercise equipment when they're trying to lose weight. If you're on a budget, you may be looking for exercise options that are free or cost very little. Here's a few ideas.

1) Check to see if your company offers an employee health program or health-related benefits to employees. Some companies contract with local gyms for free or discounted memberships for their employees. If your company doesn't have a health program already, consider getting together a group of employees that are interested in one and putting together a proposal for one. Be sure to mention that healthy employees generally don't get sick as often.

2) Start an exercise group. This can be a group of your friends who are also trying to lose weight or put up a few fliers around town. You can do group walks. The time will go by faster if you have someone to talk to. Have everyone bring in an exercise DVD they no longer use to swap with other members of the group. That gives everyone a chance to try a new workout without spending money.

3) Check your local library for workout DVDs. Most libraries offer a selection of movies to their patrons. In an effort to improve community health, many have included popular workout DVDs in their collection.

4) You don't need to spend money on dumbbells. Reach in your pantry for a couple cans for instant dumbbells. Bottled waters work as well.

5) If you're a Netflix member, you may be surprised to learn that they do have exercise DVDs available for rental. If you prefer to save your rentals for regular movies, there are some workouts available to watch online.

6) Jumping jacks and running up and down stairs are good at-home cardio workouts.

7) Instead of a resistance band, you can use a towel for some strength-training exercises.