So you’ve done it, you’ve promised yourself that this year you are going to get more exercise and be more healthy.  Problem is, it’s winter here in the Northern Hemisphere and you have not interest in piling on the coats & going for a walk.  On the other hand, gym memberships can cost you a bundle-so what is a frugalite to do?

Don’t worry, even in the dead of winter there are free, or very frugal ways to exercise out there!

5 Fun Frugal Ways to Get Up

and Move

1.  Walk the Mall.

Photo by John Dalton

Yes, if you live anywhere near a mall, you can join the scores of grannies and moms with strollers and walk the mall.  It’s climate controlled and it’s free-as long as you don’t indulge in any impulse shopping while you are there! If you are lucky, your mall may have special “walking” hours before the stores even open!

Get bored easily?  Get a book on tape or CD, or download a free audio book from your library and listen while walking.

2.  Let a DVD guide you!

Photo by Crusty Geek

You don’t have to buy a thing~just head on over to your local library and ask where they shelve their exercise videos & DVDs.  These days there are tons of options-aerobics, yoga, walking, dancing, bellydancing. . . You name it!  Pick up a few and bring them home.  Viola! Free exercise classes in the privacy of your own home.  Of course you DO have to actually play them and exercise along 😉

3.  Dance your heart out.

Photo by Scott Robinson

You have a couple of options here.  You can wait till no one is watching, crank up the stereo and fling yourself around the living room with abandon.  You could grab your sweetie (or just some friends) and head out for somewhere fun (line dancing, a club or whatnot)-just don’t spend too much on drinks, snacks or entry or you’ve negated your savings.  If you already have a gaming system you could borrow or buy (preferably used) one of those dancing games like Dance Dance Revolution.  Lastly you can look for “clubs” where like minded folks get together expressly for the purpose of dancing.

4.  Take back TV time.

Photo by Peter Dutton

Spend your evenings slouching on the couch? Turn it into exercise time! Watch your favorite shows, but exercise during the commercials.  March in place. Do situps, pushups or jumping jacks.  Grab some full soup cans and do arm curls.  Do whatever it takes to get your blood pumping,  and then take a break while you watch Bones solve a murder.

5.  Get some class.

Photo by Stephanie Richard

Community centers, schools and other organizations frequently offer free or low cost classes on everything from line dancing to aerobics.  In my tiny little town our church offers free “gentle yoga” and the town pool has free aqua-aerobics.  Ask around and see what you can find.

What are your favorite ways to frugally exercise when the temperature drops?