I was reading an article in my Sunday paper and it was talking about how more Americans are getting rid of their gym memberships due to the rising costs of everything, which then in turn causes them to gain weight, become unhealthy and more. So how can you keep up your exercise routine if you find you need to get rid of the gym membership? Here are some ideas:

1) Make your own weights
- use milk jugs filled with water or sand
- use full soup cans
- use full water bottles
- use computer bags or a small duffel bag

2) Search garage sales for used equipment

3) Your own body weight is a GREAT workout!

4) Use your stairs to do lunges, your wall to do pushups, a chair for tricep dips -- the possibilities are unlimited!

5) Utilize your library or local freecycle for workout dvd's

6) And the #1 FREE exercise is walking! You can do so much with walking and really see a change in your body!

Any other tips out there?

I am one of those people that is taking a break for now cant justify the cost

I think finding an excerise show on tv and recording might not be the exact same as going to a class but hey its a still workout! OR use the library they have lots of excercise DVDS!

I cancelled the gym membership and bought used equipment on Craigslist. I got a elliptical and bike for less than 1 month's membership and those are the only things I really use anyway!

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A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.-Eleanor Roosevelt

Great advice I would love an Elipitcal!