Hello, people! I have been trying to add soem exercise into my program... kind of get myself on the right track, and while I LOVE to do leglifts, crunches and whatnot(thats sarcasm!) generally there is counting involved.

I watch a DVR'ed show daily that runs about 30 minutes. I thought: Here's a chance to get in 30 minutes of mindless exercise. I don't have any equipment. If I buy something it will have to be SMALL and able to be tucked away.

Anyone have any ideas?

Maybe build your own step? I haven't actually been to a step class in years, but I do remember getting a great workout when I went. If you don't want to buy one, you could grab a couple pieces of lumber (I'm thinking a wide board a few feet long, and a couple of bigger blocks) and nail 'em together for a decent, stable step. If you paint it a pretty colour it could double as a little coffee table or something.

since we relocated our treadmill away from the TV, sometimes i'll jog in place while i watch stuff on the tivo. it sounds (and occasionally feels) stupid, but it gets my heartrate up into a moderate cardio zone and costs nothing.

Definitely! I have the Wii Fit Plus, which allows you to do mindless step while watching TV, and even though it's a short step (just a few inches), you can get a real workout by the end of a show. My rule is that I step 10 min. for every 30 min. of TV I watch.

Any tall buildings in your neighborhood? Really anything with stairs will do. Put in some headphones and head up and down and up and down and up and down... that may be a bit too mindless actually. But cheap!

When I lived in an 11-story apartment tower (on the 9th floor) I used to take the stairs every once in a while just to check my fitness. And when there were fire alarms, I was one of the rare people who had actually been in the stairs before. I have also used stairs in a university stadium; a lot of sports teams do "stairs" for training.

Have you ever done a WATP dvd? I just use those same steps and do them while watching tv...you know, I'll walk in place for a bit, switch to side steps or kicks or knee lifts or something when I feel like it. It's not crazy intense cardio but if I'm going to be watching the show anyway, it's better than just sitting on the couch!

Squats, lunges, running in place, jumprope and even fidgeting! are good low cost alternatives!

Walking is the easiest and cheapest exercise I can think of. Sometimes I try to make it a little more aerobic by dashing (carefully) across a street when the light is green. Also, walking with purpose like you are running late will speed up your walk. I do my best thinking when walking, so sometimes when I am upset or excited I take a walk to clear my head.

I also like to dance in my living room or in clubs. I don't have any coordination so I find it a challenge to try to dance like I don't have some sort of neurologic condition. Sometimes I try to combine housework with dancing so that I get my apartment clean.

I agree with the step thing, that would be reallllly good exercise for cheap! And they can fit like anywhere. You can get one from Walmart for like 30 bucks, or build one yourself.

Another thought is a mini-trampoline, which can sit against the wall or something and doesn't take up much space. Jumping is loads of fun, and I bet you could find one on Craigslist for really cheap.

Thanks all!!

I spoke to my SIL and she has a step I can try for a week or so, see if I like it! Also, I like the trampoline idea too.

parked - just thought of this - I know you mentioned body-weight exercises like squats and lunges but you don't want to count. You might want to try incorporating those during the commercials. First commercial, do squats. Second commercial, do lunges. Third commercials, fit in a few crunches. Then you don't have to count them, just do them as long as the commercial is on. Just a thought

Thanks! I can do that...