There are lots of ways to stay healthy, fit, and active without paying hefty monthly dues. All you need is a little creativity and motivation.

Go Outside
With summer just around the corner, it’s a great time to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. Go for a jog, take a brisk walk around the neighborhood, or spend some time with your kids at the park or playground. Small investments, like a soccer ball or jump rope, can often be found at your local Goodwill store and help mix up your routine. Also, instead of paying those expensive golf course fees, pick up a Frisbee and find the nearest disc golf course — they’re usually free in local parks.

Work Out and Network at the Same Time
Consider joining a jogging group or a local intramural team. Meetup.com lists a number of these and other activities under their Sports & Recreation section. Local Parks and Recreation departments are another good source for low-cost, age-specific team sports, like softball or basketball, that provide both camaraderie and a good sweat. This may be a great opportunity to meet some new professional contacts and hear about a job opening that you might have otherwise missed!

Be Tech-Savvy
If you have access to the Internet at home, you have the fitness world at your fingertips. Here are a couple of resources that offer free, online fitness videos:

• Yoga Today Grab a bath towel, get comfortable, and do some Yoga. This site offers free, daily yoga classes.
• About.com Browse About.com’s library of planned workout routines that you can do at home and outside. Exercises range from abdominal crunches to outdoor circuit training. Most routines include written instructions, pictures, and timings to help you get into peak shape.

Staying active doesn’t have to include burning a hole in your wallet. Enjoy the summer and have fun getting fit!