by Wendy Brumback

Created on: May 08, 2010   Last Updated: May 09, 2010

Are you tired of the same old gym routine?  Looking to save a little money?  Well ditch that gym membership and try some of these calorie burning ideas to keep you fit, active, and feeling great!

~Walk it Off

Or maybe run it off… Walking is one of the best aerobic workouts you can get.  Most of us spend 20 minutes to an hour or more walking or running on a treadmill.  But let’s face it, starting down or across the room at several other people lifting weights or doing the exact same thing you are can be a pretty dull experience.

Instead try to find a great new walking route around town.  Most places have some sort of walking or bike path.  These paths are usually mapped out and the distance is there so you know just how far you have walked.

A school track is also an excellent choice, one lap around marks one-fourth of a mile.  It is really that simple.  Some schools even have indoor tracks open to the public in the winter.  It never hurts to ask.  It is also great to ask a friend to come along to keep you company. You may even want to start a walking group.

Going window shopping for a few hours is also a great way to get the treadmill experience. While you may walk at a slower pace, and stop a few more times here and there, it can be a lot of fun to simply go to the mall and hang out with friends.  You can even try an arcade with a dancing game for a little extra aerobic workout.

If you are worried that you may spend a little too much money on one of these trips then you can also try walking around a college campus, town square, beach, or city park.  The trip may not be as exciting, but the views are just beautiful.  Take these trips alone and you can spend the time walking to work out in your head any problems you may be facing, or reflect on your life. 

~The Pool

We all love it.  At the gym we simply pick a lane and glide back and forth.  This is one of the ultimate workouts.  You work out both your arms and legs as well as get in a little aerobics. 

But, there are alternatives.  Check out a local pool, you may discover that a membership there is half of what you pay for the gym.  Many pools also have free days, or reduced costs.  You can also check out the local schools and see if they have days that they are open to the public.

Another alternative is to go down to the lake, beach or reservoir and go swimming.  Most of these places are

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