Save Money, Workout From Home

Gym memberships can be expensive, especially these days, as wallets are only getting tighter and employment (let alone raises) going the way of the dodo. While rates can vary from state to state and club to club, the typical price for a gym membership is $40-$50 a month, which may not seem a lot at first, but calculate that out over a year and it's $480-$600. That's a decent amount of money.

Granted that money is getting you something -- use of exercise weights and machines, treadmills, basketball courts, and sometimes even swimming pools, exercise classes and racquetball courts -- but strictly speaking, is all of that really necessary to stay in shape? Especially with that high of a price tag?

Rather, exercise at home -- for free! When the weather's nice, make use of the local bike and running paths in your neighborhood, or run laps around the park -- not only is this free, you're also enjoying better scenery and getting plenty of fresh air, both of which the gym can't provide. Looking to build muscle? Pushups and crunchups are just a floor away. Pull ups only require a bar, some mild creativity. When the weather's not as nice, you can still do aerobics at home: DVDs only cost $10-$20, and you can use them over and over again.

For more money saving ideas, check some of our past posts.