I know this probably sounds weird, but I'm curious...is there anyone out there who has lost a significant amount of weight exercising at home without purchasing expensive equipment? I currently have a gym membership "on hold" while I'm going through moving, and considering dropping it so that I can either use the $600+ per year in other ways (for necessities) or *gasp* actually save it. My concern is with being able to get a good workout at home without having to drop hundreds of dollars on a cardio machine of some type (elliptical, bike, what-have-you) and on weights.

Logic tells me that you can still get a good workout walking/running, but I'd like to hear from some people who work out regularly at home. What do you do? If you use DVD's, how much do you typically spend? If you do have exercise equipment, what's most important, and what's not so necessary?

My goal is to to incorporate both cardio and some kind of strength training at home, knowing that I don't have hundreds of dollars to put into a home gym. Any advice would be much appreciated!

I weight train at home with dumbbells that have adjustable plates, I run in my lunchtimes at work and I also kickbox, which costs £4 a lesson, but you could get a significant workout walking/running and with weights.

If you run you MUST get proper running shoes, get fitted at a specialist running shop. These will probably set you back just under $100 I think... maybe less.

Dumbbells are good, and adjustable ones are even better because they're cheaper. If you don't want to buy dumbbells just yet, then you can use household objects like big bottles of water or bags of flour or even do leg weights with a filled rucksack!!! Check out www.stumptuous.com , click on iron and there's an article, I think maybe under training, that describes exercises you can do with household articles!!!

I have worked out to home videos for years without ever joining a gym! I am currently using Kathy Smith's Project:You, available on beachbody.com. I highly recommend it! She incorporates weights and aerobics and gives you a fantastic workout! I went down six sizes years ago, just by using the in-home exercise videos. So yes, if I can do it, anyone can!! I workout with dumbbells, 3-5-8 and 10 lbs. Get a floor mat for yoga and Pilates and comfortable sneakers. The key is consistency - walk, run, workout on a schedule that you can live with and don't quit!! The pounds and inches will soon drop! Good luck!!

Lucky for me, i work part time at a gym. But talking with some of the instructors, almost all of them agree, the best piece of equipment for a home qym, is the stability ball. They usually run from about $9-$13 bucks. they come with a work out chart and are pretty fun to work on.

Also, I believe it's Shape.com, has a ton of exercise that can be done with out weights or one set of dumb bells.

Hope this helps!!

Yup, I walked only for the first 25-ish lbs. I have since collected up some used things, dumbells, a barbell set and a home gym. I have bought video tapes at second hand stores for $2.

I can't say I've never set foot in a gym because I went with a relative who needed a subject to do her practical exam as a personal trainer. She passed anyway

If I was to suggest some inexpensive home equipment, I would say an exercise ball, resistance bands, a set of dumbbells, and a library card or netflix.

The exercise ball is very versatile. You can use for it ab work or just use it as a bench while doing your weight training which as a bonus works your core.

Resistance bands are also versatile. You can use them in place of weights for many exercises and by just wrapping a loop around your hand you can increase the resistance. You can also add them to exercises like pilates for increased resistance.

Dumbbells are obvious. I would suggest getting heavier ones. You can use resistance bands for lighter work and the dumbells for heavier ones.

You can also combine a resistance band with dumbells to get in between weights. Like say you want 12 pounds but you only have 10 and 15. Just hold both the resistance band and the weight together increased resistance.

Now with your library card or netflix you can get unlimited videos. This will vary your routine and you won't be stuck with one you don't like.

As far as actually finding exercises just look at the library for books or online. You can find TONS of stuff online. Just be sure it's a reputable site that shows proper form.

Hope this helps

Thanks everyone! There are some good ideas here, and I think I may drop the gym for now and try some of them.

I did!! I lost all of my 126 pounds just by doing exercise DVD's and walking/jogging when it got warm out. I started in January of 2005 with exercise DVD's. Probably in about May, I started walking and walked/jogged all the way through October. You don't need a gym membership or fancy schmancy equipment to lose weight!! Oh, and I used 6 lb. dumbells too.

Well I lost all my 38 pounds without buying equipment. Well besides the step. But, other words I workout to video tapes from WATP, yoga, pilates and weight training. The only things I got is a yoga mate, weights 2,3,4,5,8, and 10 pound weights a swiss ball, and bands. Other words I didn't want to waste money on equipment. I know so many of my firends have payed for so much on equipment but, they to lazy to pull it out. One of my friends says it more work pulling it out then getting on it lol. So I rather do what I have been doing and I been doing just fine lost 38 without anything equipment.

Hmmm... right now I am debating... between buying a new ipod and renting a treadmill (perhaps buying it in the end) - I do not have a lot of space and a teadmill will take up my whole dinning room. But I want to lose the weight as fast as possible. I try running outside and it hurts my legs a lot. Someone suggested roller blading and that it burns just as much as running and is not so hard on your body. I have a nice pair of blades. Does anyone know if this is true?

I also bought a kids skipping rope yesterday for $3! Sounds like a good work out to me!

Tips? Suggestions?

If you already have blades ... then go for it! Use what you've got.

Are blades better then going for a brisk walk with a bit of jogging in between?

I dunno. Which one gets your heart rate up more consistantly?

I dont know... I will have to test it out!

I get bored easily so I like to keep my options open Walking, biking ... anything that works.