Fitness is big business in America now, and around the world. People spend millions of dollars each year buying fitness and exercise products, taking out expensive memberships to gyms, and more.

But, you can get in shape a little at a time without spending lots of money on gadgets that may or may not work. Here are five ways to do that.

Fitness is important to everyone. Making exercise a family affair keeps everyone moving and healthy. Also, it seems less like work when you have a partner who is striving for the same goals, who can share with you and encourage you every step of the way.

So here are five things you can do every day to stay fit, without spending a fortune, with or without friends and family:

1. Walk, walk, walk.

You can walk thought the neighborhood during the evening after dinner. In the morning, walk with your kids to school if you don’t live more than a mile away. Park your car further away from home or the stores to force yourself to walk.

Walking is one of the best overall exercises for your cardiovascular system and to build a strong core. In the age of cars and other public transportation, we forget that we can still use our own two feet to get around.

2. Use an exercise video/TV program at home. Chance are, you have calbe TV, and so can have access to FIT TV, which broadcasts all sorts of fitness programs, from yoga to cardio to kickboxing to bellydancing. Or, get a cheap monthly membership to NetFlix. You will be amazied by the array of DVDS they have, and you will certainly be able to find some you like that you will want to buy, and will definitely never get bored.

It seems that every fitness trainer in the universe wants to make a video. You can learn everything from Pilates, kickboxing, yoga, tai chi and step aerobics to ball workouts and strength training in the privacy of your own home. The best thing about a DVD is that you can stop it when you get tired and use it at 5:30 in the morning or the same time at night.

3. Buy a set of dumbbells or waterbells.

You will invest some money in order to shape up, but you recoup your expenses in no time. A good set of dumbbells include a one, three, five and eight pound weight. For men, go up to fifteen pounds. Strength training is important for bone and muscle health as well as a quicker metabolism. Work one or two different body parts each day to work your entire body in a week for just pennies a day.

Water bells can be packed flat when you travel and filled with water when you get to your destination, and can carry up to 16 pounds in weight on each waterbell if you fill them full.

4. Use that bicycle.

Confess-you have a bike you have not used in years! Or you really want one but have not got round to buying it yet.

A decent bicycle that fits your needs for riding in the park or through the neighborhood will cost you less than $100. Use your bike to get a daily workout. Add a child seat on the back to take your little one along. Instead of driving, bike to the store. It is faster than walking and works those leg muscles.

5. Have a ball.

Again, most people have a football, soccer ball, baseball and so on around the house. If not, they can be purchased for relatively little money. Give yourself and your kids a daily workout by playing a game. Quick high impact moves build bone mass and keep your weight down. You’ll have so much fun that you won’t even think of it as exercise, or notice that you’ve been playing that touch football game or dodgeball game.

Staying in shape helps ward off disease, and increases your life expectancy. You can keep your body fit and healthy and your weight down with these free or inexpensive methods. You can pursue fitness alone or with your family using all of these suggestions as well, making fitness for the whole family a way of life every day.