by Brandi Fleeks

Created on: August 02, 2009

Getting a good workout does not mean having to spend hundreds of dollars on a gym, hiring a personal trainer or buying a treadmill. Your dose of daily exercise should free and can be fun and done in a variety of ways. The simplest activity can be turned into a workout.

Turn your daily chores into a fitness session. Believe it or not cleaning is a workout. Vigorous cleaning is an even better workout. The next time you clean the bathroom, use brisk arm movements while scrubbing the shower and tub, that grout can, not only fuel your urge for cleanliness but it can also allow you to work up a sweat and burn more calories giving you a workout. Switching arms to scrub will also give you a chance to work out your secondary arm, since one arm tends to be stronger and more defined than the other, you'll be strengthening your less used one. The same technique is good to try when cleaning mirrors and windows.

When you're vacuuming the carpet you can take this time to work on your dance moves. If the kids are at school or you have the house to yourself turn on the radio and crank it to full blast. You have the freedom the shake it while you push that vacuum. Not only are you having fun, but you're also getting your heart rate up to an aerobic level and making that carpet spotless at the same time.

Dancing is a good and free way to get exercise and shed pounds as well. You can do this any time you've got the radio on, or if you have an Ipod you can make yourself a playlist of your favorite songs to get your groove on. Again, if you have the house to yourself you can work on your dance moves and shimmy yourself to a high calorie burning session when no one is around to see you flailing away and working up a sweat. Plus dancing just feels good.

Walking may, perhaps, be one the simplest ways to get some good old fashioned exercise. Throw on that old t-shirt and a pair of sweats or even some lycra shorts and that pair of running shoes that are still sitting in the closet and put one foot in front of the other. If you have a friend or neighbor who's been talking about joining the gym, the two of you could start a walking group in your neighbor. Not only will you be getting your exercise for free but you will also be extending the opportunity for others to cancel their gym memberships while promoting community solidarity.

You have to walk before you can run is the truest cliche ever said. Once you've built up your walking stamina you can begin to jog, then run. Pounding the pavement is a liberating way to exercise. If you need a little inspiration, get that Ipod and build yourself a running playlist. You may notice your speed and strides change with the song that's playing.

If you still have a pair of roller skates or rollerblades hanging around in the back of the closet or out in the garage, or if you have a bicycle you haven't looked at since you were a teenager, break them out and put them to use. You use to work out all the time using them and didn't even know it. Now you can intentionally use them the get your daily dose of exercise. If you have to do the grocery shopping, and you're close enough to ride your bike, why not give it a try? It's free!

These are just a few ways to get your exercise for free, you can still do push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, knee lifts, and a variety of other calisthenics for the price of $0.00. The list goes on and on.

There are even free resources that can help you get your daily dose of exercise while providing support and ideas.

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