Gyms can offer some great classes, and there's no shortage of fancy equipment either!
But memberships can easily cost hundreds of dollars a year.
Consumer Reports' Gayle Williams says you can set up a home gym for under $100.
"You can get a great workout at home with just a few key pieces of equipment," she says.
First, get a cushy floor mat. It can save you from hard floors and itchy carpets. You can use it for sit-ups, yoga, and stretching. And it only costs about $15 to $20.
Think you need fancy machines to tone muscles and do strength training? Not necessarily!
"Dumbbells and elastic bands are great for improving and keeping muscle tone," says Williams.
You want to get at least two sets of dumbbells: One for regular use and a heavier pair for more challenging workouts. A standard set should cost about $15 each.
And experts recommend buying two pairs of elastic bands as well, ones that have different levels of resistance. The cost is only about $10 to $15.
For core workouts, you can do sit-ups or invest in a stability ball.
It can add a variety of new moves to improve your core muscles. A stability ball costs anywhere from $20 to $40.
For a cardio workout, a treadmill can be great. But Consumer Reports' says you can save money and space.
"There are so many good workout DVDs out there and they only cost about $15," she says. "You want to make sure you're looking for one that has a combination of strength, flexibility, and cardio routines."
The bottom line is that you can get a great work-out without spending big bucks. But once you're set up at home there'll be no more 'I cant get to the gym' excuses.
If you are thinking of one piece of home equipment, the treadmill is the one you are most likely to use. That's probably because you can use it while doing other things, like watching TV.
Another way to save is look for a used one on Craigslist or through your local paper's classifieds.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
