It's OK to quit the gym

Do you pay a monthly gym membership fee? Take that fee and divide by the number of times you actually went to the gym last month. How does that number make you feel? That is the amount you are paying per time you work out. If that number makes you uncomfortable, I'm here to tell you it's OK to quit the gym. Even if you have the best intentions of using that hot tub, taking a spinning class twice a week at 6am, lifting weights until you have huge biceps, if you haven't done it in the past few months, you probably won't. And it's summer which makes it even hard to work out indoors.

I'm not saying not to work out, but financially, could your money be better spent elsewhere or saved? Think about it.

Some free or low-cost ways to stay in shape:

• Download a workout app on your iPhone or plan from a website. There are many out there that can help you drive towards a goal such as a 5k or marathon, or just give you ideas of routines.
• Make an ongoing date with a friend to walk, run, swim, bike, rollerblade, or any other physical activity that you enjoy.
• Walk the stairs at work or go for a walk over lunch. In my former workplace there is a group that walks the stairs in our 50 floor building over lunch.
• Go to free open houses at gyms around town or go as a guest with a friend who is a member. I just took a free yoga/pilates class this week at Yoga Bella near my house, they have an online coupon you can print.
• Use the gym at your work if there is one
• Borrow some workout DVD's from the library or a friend
• If you feel you have to work out in a gym, try a low-cost one such as Snap Fitness,  Anytime Fitness, etc

Anyone else have suggestions on free or low-cost ways to workout without a gym membership?