Thrifty Thursday - 5 Workouts that Don't Require a Gym Membership

Belonging to a gym is great, but in today's economy - who has the money to spare? I'm personally not a fan of exercising on purpose but I do take extra effort when I can. For example, I love shopping. While I do prefer shopping online, once I'm out of the house, I could shop for hours! Walking through the store by itself is better than no exercise at all, but parking a few extra spots away from the store and briskly taking a stroll while maneuvering a heavy cart is an even bigger help.

Here are some other ways you can get a nice workout without making it seem like exercise:

• Walk the dog. Trust me, your dog is going to love you for this. If you live in a neighborhood, it's a great way to get out and meet people who you otherwise might not have an opportunity to know. If you enjoy the outdoors, it's a great way to explore local parks and hiking trails. And my single male friends tell me it's a great icebreaker for talking to potential dates.
• Take the stairs. One of the benefits of living near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is that there are plenty of opportunities to learn about history. Another is that there are countless areas perfect for walking. From the steps at St. Peter's Cathedral to walking trail at nearby Bolivar Heights, or even just walking across the train bridge to the C&O canal, if you live in the area and can't find somewhere to walk you're just too choosy! And if you don't live in the area, check out the state and national parks around your own home. They're like local treasure waiting for you to discover them.
• Watch some YouTube. I'm not talking about watching some adorable little kitten romping after its shadow in someone's backyard. Pull up some Zumba, Sweat to the Oldies, or even dabble in some TaeBo. Even if you only do 15 minutes worth of exercise, it's 15 more minutes than what you were getting before. Just remember to stretch before and after to avoid cramping the next day.
• Volunteer. Have you ever watched volunteers tackle their work? Most only volunteer a couple of times per week and really look forward to it, so they want to put in all the effort they can. I've been to two different Habitat for Humanity Restore locations and seen people of all ages putting more effort into volunteering than the effort some people put into their paid jobs.
• There's an App for that. Smartphones have apps for everything, even ones to get you up and moving. Couch to 5k is one such running plan app, designed to get people out from in front of the television and on their feet. They even have a jogging plan for beginners. However, I think I prefer the game called Zombies, Run! It's not a free app, but it looks like a lot of fun. Tie up your shoelaces, pop in your earbuds, start the app, and the complete immersion begins with the sound of zombies chasing you. You run different distances to get virtual items to help build the sustainable living environment displayed on your phone. The more you run to get items, the better chance the people inside your environment have against the zombies. I love it!

So there's your thrifty tip for the week. What are some other ways you work out without going to the gym? I'd love to hear all about it!