What if I can't afford a gym membership? Affordable ways to work out and burn calories at home!

I am very aware that not everyone in this world can afford a gym membership.  Gym memberships can cost anywhere from $20 to over $100 a month.  Which is expensive!  If you do have a gym membership, USE IT!  Don't waste that money!  If you don't have a gym membership I have found a few lists of easy and cheap ways to work out at home.  The lists are here, here, and here!  I have summarized the tips offered on these sites below:

1) Take advantage of free streaming workout videos online.  
Both Hulu and YouTube have free workout videos available.  Gaiam has a Hulu page and Yoga Journal has a YouTube channel available.  Plus I am sure there are many more out there available for free use.  Do you know of any?  If so please share in the comment section below!

2) Make your own weights!  
This is a great tip.  Take empty water bottles, fill them with water, rice, or sand to give them some weight.  You can adjust the weight of the bottles by using more or less filler.  Another option is using canned food items as weights.  Strength training is an important aspect of any workout.  It is recommended that you strength train at least twice a week.

3) Climb stairs.  
According to the New York Times running stairs may be the single best exercise of all.  If you don't have stairs in your home take advantage of local buildings or malls that have steps.  This is an excellent way to get your recommended cardio for the week done.

4) Get out and walk (or run)!
Getting outside is free!  Which is awesome!  Get out and take a walk, jog, or run.  If you don't want to walk or run on the roads outside your home, you can go to a community center or school that has a track available.  Bad weather?  Head to a local mall and take some laps around the inside.  There also may be some walking trails available in your area for you to take advantage of.

5) Use your local library
Get a FREE library card and check out some work out videos, or books with healthy lifestyle advice.

6) Jump Rope
Jump ropes are excellent and cheap workout options.  Make it fun by jumping to music or switching it up by learning different kinds of jumps.  Here is a 10-minute jump rope exercise regimen from Fitness Magazine.

7) Make housework a workout
Mowing the grass, weeding the garden, doing the dishes, raking leaves, shoveling snow, vacuuming or scrubbing your bathroom can count as a workout as long as you increase your heart rate.