Inside Workouts

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Battle the Bulge With Cheap Indoor Workouts

For many people, the long winter months bring skiing, sledding, and other fun activities that go along with the white stuff. For others, winter puts an end to running and other outdoor fitness activities that keep the weight off. Going to the gym can prove an expensive substitute, so here are a few worthwhile ideas for affordable inside workouts.

Indoor Workouts on DVD.

There's a lot to be said for a small library of reliable exercise DVDs. They can easily keep you fit if you use them consistently, and a quick Amazon search reveals thousands to choose from, spanning ab workouts, indoor cardio workouts, yoga, circuit training, and more. Granted, some are better than others. We consulted numerous user reviews to compile our list of the best cheap workout DVDs.

To keep boredom at bay and work many muscle groups, try to find several DVDs of inside workouts that target different areas -- maybe a core workout, an upper-body workout, and a lower-body workout, plus a few indoor cardio workouts that you can add to the rotation. You can increase the variety and save even more money by borrowing exercise DVDs from your local library.

Inside Workouts on YouTube.

Another option for indoor workout inspiration is YouTube. Money Crashers recommends searching YouTube for the term "workout" or searching for specific types of exercise programs, such as core workouts or indoor cardio workouts. When we searched YouTube for inside workouts, we found thousands of results -- some general, some very specific. Note that most YouTube workouts don't work quite like full-length exercise DVDs. These are shorter clips that you can watch to learn an exercise or routine and then carry it out on your own ("Killer 550 Rep Workout" is one example).

Fitness Apps.

Venture even further into the 21st century with fitness apps for your smartphone or tablet. App stores are stocked with numerous cheap and free fitness apps. For Android users, these include a series of free workouts demonstrated by certified personal trainers, from Daily Ab Workout to Daily Cardio Workout. IPhone users can try the Jillian Michaels Slim Down Solution or the Nike Training Club, among other free apps.

Exercise Equipment.

Of course, you can always create your own home gym with low-cost equipment that will come in handy for inside workouts. Later this week we'll be posting an update to our buying guide on cheap treadmills. Cheap elliptical trainers and cheap exercise bikes can help you keep up indoor cardio workouts all winter.

While there is a relatively high initial cost with these pieces of equipment, they ultimately pay for themselves over months of letting you avoid shelling out a hefty gym-membership fee. Other smaller and less costly pieces of equipment can also help you stay fit. About.com recommends investing in a jump rope, kettlebells, free weights, and a balance ball if you're looking to enhance your inside workouts.