by Lisa Marie Mercer

Created on: February 29, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

As a fitness professional with over 25 years of experience, I spent most of my life in New York City and Boston. My clientele list was composed of corporate executives, working mothers, and actors with heavy rehearsal schedules. All had one common question: "How do I stay fit without buying a gym membership?" Through years of trial and error combined with hours of extensive research, I have found that these ten time-saving fitness tips were the most successful for my clients.

1.Take a Walk: Consider this: Depending on your body weight and walking speed, you can burn between .27 calories to .47 calories. While this may not seem like much, keep in mind that after a session of aerobic activity, your metabolic rate is elevated. This means that you will be burning more calories even in a sedentary state. You can make your walking more efficient by increasing your speed, taking longer strides and swinging your arms. Walking up hills will significantly increase the number of calories burned per hour. Hill walking is also one of the best butt-toners you can find!

If possible, try to walk to and from work. If this is not feasible, park your car at further distance from your place of employment. Is public transportation available? Why not use it? You'll save money on gas, while playing your part to save the environment. Planning a vacation? Opt for the walking tour, as opposed to the bus tour.

2.Climb the Stairway to Fitness: The elevator was a great invention. Unfortunately, it does little to maintain your fitness. Choose the stairs. If you're ambitious, climb an extra flight!

3.Play in the Playground: No kids necessary! A game of hopscotch is one of the best ways to develop balance and agility. Jumping rope also develops agility while burning calories.

4.Your Pup as Personal Trainer: If you don't have a dog, offer to walk someone else's. Playing with a pooch is a great way to have fun while burning extra calories.

5.Bed, Bath and Balance: Balance and core training are today's fitness buzz words. While there are many great balance training "toys," don't forget the number of opportunities for balance training that can be found in your own home. You can perform "lunge" exercises with one foot on the bed. This will be similar to performing the same sort of exercise on a balance board. For a great butt and core toner, lie on your back with your feet on the bed. As you squeeze your glutes and tighten your core, lift each vertebra off the floor, until you are in a "bridge" position.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>