Gyms seem to be synonymous with working out these days. Rightly so, too, considering that's what they're designed for. But gyms exclusively? No, that I can't find myself getting behind.

Yet that's the way many people think. The moment you step inside a gym you're in workout mode; the second you leave, you're done. All the modern conveniences apply again and you turn into a lazy slob. I'm not sure why people think this way, since there are so many ways to workout beyond the walls of the gym, and they virtually all cost less money.

Here are a few ways to get your daily allowance of exercise without heading to a gym. They're easy to do and readily available just about anywhere, so long as you have the will to pull them off (and, in a few cases, the proper surroundings).

- Jog. Pssh, who needs a treadmill? While I will acknowledge that jogging on a treadmill isn't quite as hard on your feet as concrete, you don't see nearly as much, either, plus the overall workout isn't quite as good. Jogging outside is an incredibly good workout, especially if you have the right shoes and water enough to last your journey. Try jogging on grass or sand if you find the concrete too hard, as well; they're both cushion your feet and provide a much more arduous exercise overall.

- Walk. Walk everywhere. Walk whenever you need to pick up a few groceries, to get to work, to a friend's house, whatever. You can mix this up with jogging, if you like, as well.

- Cycle. Bikes are amazingly good at getting a body fit and getting said body to its destination relatively quickly. In some cases a bike can get you going faster than a road-bound car can (though, admittedly, these destinations are few and far between).

- Climb stairs. If you live in an apartment building this is a dream of a workout. Just climb stairs as far as you can, go back down to the bottom and start over again. You'll be sweating up a storm before you know it.

- Do sit ups, push ups, crunches and other stationary exercises. They all do the same thing as machines and, though tougher at first, are also portable - wherever you body goes, you can pull them off.

- Get a labor-intensive job. Man, not only are you getting a great workout with these, you're making money at the same time. There isn't a gym in the world that offers the same perks. Try to get an outdoors job, if you can, as you'll simultaneously get to enjoy fresh air and earn yourself a nice tan (though make sure you have lots of water on hand).

Sound a lot easier than it did before? Then get out there and make your fitness desires a reality. There's a world full of exercising possibilities before you, you just need a little imagination and a lot of willpower to make them happen.

Learn more about this author, Matt Bird.
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