6 Ways to Build a Better Body on a Budget

Lean times don't mean you have to skimp on fitness. Try these suggestions for workouts and home gym equipment on the cheap.

By Colette Bouchez
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD

Gym memberships, personal trainers, pricey equipment for the home gym - all these expenses can make it tempting to use tough economic times as an excuse for avoiding exercise. But the truth is that you can build a better body on a budget. From simple workouts with no equipment, to getting some of the benefits of a trainer for free with the click of a mouse, there are lots of ways to stay in shape and still save money.

To help point you in the right direction, WebMD asked the experts for advice on how you can get fit for little or no money.

6 Ways to Build a Better Body on a Budget

1. Schedule Your Workouts

When you've got a membership to a high-tech gym or a standing appointment with a personal trainer, the expense means you're less likely to skip out on workout time. Experts say it's essential to approach your "no frills" workout with the same convictions.

"This means putting it on your schedule, making a specific time for when you're going to do your workout, and it means doing all you can to limit interruptions -- like turning off the phone, making sure the dog is walked before you start, and, if necessary, letting family members know that for 30 minutes or so, they are on their own," says Susie Shina, director of FitnessOneEighty.com and author of 60-Second Circuits: 1,000 Easy Exercise Combos You Can Do Anywhere.

You can also help keep your workout on track by laying out your exercise clothes the night before, says Shina. "This acts as a reminder that you don't want to skip out on your session."

What can also help: Choose a playlist of your favorite exercise songs and load them into your mp3 player, or create a workout CD. Timing the music to fit the length of your workout will help keep you on track for the whole routine.

"Motivation and music go hand in hand, so again, it's another way to ensure you stay motivated," says Shina.

2. Choose Workouts That Work at Home

When you're starting a workout program, it can be hard to figure out what exercises you should be doing -- particularly if you don't have the budget for pricey equipment or personal training advice.

But all you really need to do, says Charla McMillian, JD, CSCS, is follow a few simple guidelines.

"You have to ensure that all your major muscle groups are targeted at least once each week -- and no more than three times a week, and your program has to include 30-60 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise three to five times a week," says McMillian, creator of FitBoot.com, a training program for fitness professionals.

And don't forget to stretch, which helps with both strength and flexibility.

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