Have you noticed that there are certain times of the year when gym memberships spike? At the start of the year, at the start of summer and going into fall, gyms run ads to try to encourage people to sign up. For many of us, we start out with the best of intentions and then taper off. The membership just ends up being a waste of money.

For others, a gym membership is a luxury they just can’t afford. Here are some ideas to help you get and stay fit without the help of an expensive gym membership.

Do It Yourself Body

The body is the best tool for getting in shape. Even without equipment, you could lose weight and slim down in no time with some discipline and effort. Here are some handy ideas for those who need help but don’t want the hassle or expense of a gym membership.

* Walking – Walking is the best overall exercise. When you walk, you work every muscle group of your body and your heart and lungs. Pumping your arms gets the heart rate and breathing up so that you begin to move from an aerobic phase to a fat-burning phase. As you feel more confident, you can speed up your program for added benefit. Walk with a friend to keep you both accountable and working harder.

* Running – This is a step up from walking. Running works the same muscle groups, only harder. Those who have run for a time say that they experience the runner’s high. It is the release of endorphins that spur you on to good feeling and a faster pace. Running clubs are everywhere and for a small fee, you can run in various places on different terrains with others and also enter races.

* Dumbbells – These are free weights that can be used to build muscle in your home. Tons of exercise videos on the market can walk you through the proper form of different exercises such as military presses, squats, lunges and deltoid lifts. For women who want to get toned, higher repetitions and smaller weights will help you achieve your goal. The heavier the weight, the more bulky the muscles you will form.

* Exercise videos – With DVDs and videos you can learn to master everything from Pilates to yoga to kickboxing, all in the privacy of your home. They pay for themselves in no time and can be used no matter what the weather. You don’t have to leave the house, so all you have to worry about is your self-motivation. If you want to try a lot of different ones inexpensively, sign up for Netflix, try the workouts you like, and buy the ones you like best.

*Yoga -Yoga uses very little special equipment and mainly uses the body to stay slim, with long lean muscles. some varieties of yoga also emphasise breathing, such as Kundalini yoga. You can start at home with programs on the TV or DVD courses.

* FitTV – This popular cable TV channel runs fitness programs ranging from low to high impact and from yoga to belly dancing. They also have great health and cooking programs. Tape a few of the workouts and change up your workouts so you won’t get bored.

Are you looking for a way to get started keeping fit but don’t want to join a gym–or can’t afford to? Hopefully these ideas will get you started on the right track for little cost.